Thomas Jefferson: Author of America (Eminent Lives)

About this book

"A balanced readable portrait. A refreshing perspective. New York Times Book Review With intelligence insight eloquence and wit bestselling author Christopher Hitchens gives us an artful portrait of a complex formative figure in American history and his turbulent era. In this unique biography of Thomas Jefferson leading journalist and social critic Christopher Hitchens offers a startlingly new and provocative interpretation of our Founding Fathera man conflicted by power who wrote the Declaration of Independence and acted as ambassador to France yet yearned for a quieter career in the Virginia legislature. A masterly writer Jefferson was an awkward public speaker. A professed proponent of emancipation he elided the issue of slavery from the Declaration of Independence and continued to own human property. A reluctant candidate he left an indelible presidential legacy.