Books by John B. Boles
“This is an all-encompassing, cradle-to-grave biography. Boles brings a balanced perspective on both positive and negative aspects of Jefferson’s character. It’s a sympathetic biography, but it’s not a whitewash. It takes a very strong look at Jefferson and slavery, something the present generation of historians has been fathoming, because of the obvious paradox that this champion of human liberty took no appreciable action to remove slavery from his native Virginia.” Read more...
The best books on Thomas Jefferson
Andrew Burstein, Historian
Interviews where books by John B. Boles were recommended
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1
Jefferson and the Virginians: Democracy, Constitutions, and Empire
by Peter Onuf -
2
Jefferson and Hamilton: The Rivalry that Forged a Nation
by John Ferling -
3
Jefferson: Architect of American Liberty
by John B. Boles -
4
Madison and Jefferson
by Andrew Burstein & Nancy Isenberg -
5
"Those Who Labor for My Happiness": Slavery at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
by Lucia Stanton
The best books on Thomas Jefferson, recommended by Andrew Burstein
The best books on Thomas Jefferson, recommended by Andrew Burstein
Thomas Jefferson is famous for having written the Declaration of Independence, with its ringing claim that “all men are created equal”. In modern times he has been castigated for hypocrisy, given his ownership of slaves and his failure to campaign for abolition. Here, historian Andrew Burstein discusses Jefferson’s wider political career and whether it is fair to judge his attitude to slavery by contemporary standards.
