Thomas Jefferson

Philosopher, diplomat, politician, inventor, writer, architect, even gardener, from a historical perspective Thomas Jefferson emerges as an extraordinary individual — one who was clearly many things to many people. But, precisely because of these same collective endeavors, he has become so much a part of America’s ongoing search for itself, so deeply entwined in the tapestry of America’s grand democratic experiment, that, in many instances, succeeding generations have been largely unable to picture him clearly and objectively in his own life and times. This is the first time an editor has focused principally on his comments regarding war and revolution. Presented for the interest of a general readership as well as for students of military, diplomatic, or political history, the format of the selected letters, as Jefferson wrote them, is preserved whenever possible.