Jefferson

by Albert Jay Nock

Book Overview

LARGE PRINT EDITION More at LargePrintLiberty.com. Here is Albert Jay Nock's classic study on the life and thought of Thomas Jefferson, a book which draws out points other biographers have missed: his... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809000342
• ISBN13: 9780809000340
• Release Date: January 1960
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Jefferson

This book tells the story of one of the greatest Americans - Thomas Jefferson. It is a biography, but it goes far beyond the usual biography in examing the intellectual capacities and economic beliefs of Jefferson and of the men who, with him, were chiefly responsible for the foundation of the United States. From youth to death, Mr. Nock relates the life of this son of a Virginia planter who rose to be President of this country, founder and leader of one of the major schools of American political thought and father of the principles of freedom and democracy which have become a vital part of the tradition and character of all Americans. The life of Jefferson was filled with acts of the highest importance to the future of his country, but even these acts are outweighed by the extraordinary influence which his championship of the rights of the producing part of the population has had. While he was President, this country made its most important territorial acquisition - the Louisiana Purchase. His private library became the nucleus of the Library of Congress. But more important than any of his acts was his constant belief in the virtues of an honest government for free men. This belief, for all his recognition of the difficulties of accomplishing it, never left him. After his return to Monticello following the eight trying years of Presidency, he wrote: "A government regulating itself by what is just and wise for the many, uninfluenced by the local and selfish views of the few who direct their affairs, has not been seen, perhaps, on earth. Or if it existed for a moment at the birth of ours, it would not be easy to fix the term of its continuance. Still, I believe it does exist here in a greater degree than anywhere else, and for its continuance and growth I offer sincere prayers." --- from book's dustjacket

Brilliant but Flawed

Albert J. Nock has long been known by those familiar with his work as a shrewd commentator who is always eager to "tell it as it is." When his premises are correct, this can be refreshing, to say the least. However, when he misses the mark, the results can be embarassing. This work, much like his infamous "Our Enemy the State," is a great testament to this.However, to begin with, there is much of great worth and interest in this volume. Nock, as one scholar has observed, was a supremely literate man, and his great learning and intelligence is clearly evident throughout this work. Unlike many other authors, Nock reflects a deep, thorough knowledge of Jefferson's life and writings. Furthermore, few modern authors can equal Nock's beautiful prose style. Thus, when one reads of Jefferson's opinion on architechure, art, philosophy, or agriculture, we have some of the most delightful passages in all of the Jefferson literature.Unfortunately, a large portion of the work is consumed by Nock's grossly inaccurate analysis of the political environment of the early republic. Economic determinism in the tradition of Charles A. Beard and Henry George is the gist of what you find, and all of their fallacies and flaws are given full exercise. Indeed, as one Jefferson scholar has remarked, this work reveals a "uncritical" use of the Beard thesis. Thus, Jefferson is portrayed, not as an advocate of natural rights or anything of the sort, but as the supporter of the interests of the producing class against those of the exploiting class. As one would expect, the Constitution is portrayed simply as a tool for economic exploitation, and much ink is spilled documenting the evils of Hamilton, the Federalists, as well as "speculators." While all of this is not without a semblance of truth, his simplistic and often misleading exegesis is very dissapointing. Nevertheless, as I have said, the work still has great value, largely as a brilliant account of Jefferson's interests and character. Nock is fundamentally correct when he focuses on the fact that Jefferson's real views are very far from those of his comtemporaries, and even farther from those who claim his name for support in later days. Ultimately, I would only recommend this work to individuals who have already done a good deal of study in Jefferson's life and ideas, for only these individuals will be able to see the true worth of this study despite its many flaws.