Thomas Jefferson, the revolutionary aristocrat

School Library Journal

Gr 7-9-- A fine examination of Jefferson's brilliant and complex life, detailing his successes and failures. Meltzer writes with his usual lively style and clarity and provides plenty of historical background and detail. His discussion concentrates on Jefferson's long and productive public service, but includes personal information, especially the scandals that have assumed a life of their own, to help readers understand the man's behavior and motivations. He maintains objectivity about Jefferson, looking at his actions as a leader during the Revolutionary era and in his later presidency in the context of both his and modern times. Especially strong, however, is Meltzer's look at Jefferson's views on slavery. Like many early Americans, he was deeply troubled by the institution yet continued to own, trade, and use the services of slaves throughout his life. This contradiction illustrates how difficult the issue was and how deeply it divided the country. Good quality black-and-white reproductions and photographs are plentiful, pleasing, and well placed to lend maximum support to the text. Because the author uses recent research and scholarship (detailed in an exemplary ``Sources'' section), this book is a more complete and balanced treatment than Graff's Thomas Jefferson (Silver Burdett, 1968; o.p.) or Fleming's Thomas Jefferson (Norton, 1971; o.p.). Well organized and interesting, it is an excellent choice for teenage readers. --Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO