In thomas jefferson, jon meachan explores what gave the founding father his adept political skills. Jon meachams biography of thomas jefferson looks at how the founding father balanced his ideals with pragmatism while also bending others to his will. Were considering expanding this synopsis into a fulllength study guide to deepen your comprehension of the book and why its important. The art of power, which has been on the best seller list for about nine weeks. Meachems biography is a substantive work of nearly 500 pages not including 200 pages of notes and bibliography. The biography in no way delves deeply into the cunning masterpoliticians political genius. Jon meacham is the author of the pulitzer prizewinning american lion and an executive editor at random house, where he also runs the conversation online, a site devoted to current affairs and relevant books. Thomas jefferson 1 the art of power by jon meacham summarized by walter antoniotti video meacham examines the need for citizenship in a republic. In this magnificent biography, the pulitzer prizewinning autho. Its a neat almost too neat way of dividing the book into easily digestible sections. The art of power, is laughably misnamed laughably and irritatingly. The art of power, meacham, despite his subtitle, accomplishes something more impressive than dissecting jeffersons political skills by explaining his greatness, a different. As i finished it, however, i found myself a reluctant admirer, appreciative of meachams style and of. Pulitzer prizewinning, bestselling author jon meacham.
The subtitle of jon meachams massive new life of thomas jefferson promises a probing exploration of howhediditthe ways and means of power politics. From the end of chapter 23 in part vi the first secretary of state. The art of power is a very thorough account of the life of americas third president. In this magnificent biography, the pulitzer prizewinning author of american lion and franklin and winston brings vividly to life an extraordinary man and his. Art of power author jon meacham to speak on jefferson. The art of power offers a balanced view, one that acknowledges his subjects flaws while recognizing his greatness as a founding father and u. The random house executive and former newsweek editor took approximately four years to. Meacham is also an editoratlarge of wnet public media, new yorks pbs station, and the former editor of newsweek.
The art of power is author jon meachams fifth and most recent book, having been published in late 2012. Meacham received the pulitzer prize for his 2008 biography of andrew jackson, and has also written about franklin roosevelt and winston churchill as well as the civil rights movement and the influence of religion in american politics. The art of power gives us jefferson the politician and pres. But, sometimes it is correspondingly in the distance mannerism to acquire the book, even in supplementary country or city. It took me a long time to begin to like jon meachams portrait of thomas jefferson in thomas jefferson. His management of theme through the issues of the day and the personality of the subject helps the reader see a broader picture of a man like thomas jefferson. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read thomas jefferson. The art of power is the fourth book of his i have read meacham makes history easy to read for even the most casual fan of u. When meacham offers revealing details for instance illustrating jeffersons lifelong love. The art of power, who believes people compartmentalize jefferson as a philosopher, an educator, a slaveowner, a planter or as a foil for his political opponents. Is thomas jefferson to blame for todays partisan politics. The art of power, meacham brings to life the complete man, from birth to his last daysthrough the revolutionary war and his years as president. Jon meachams biography of thomas jefferson looks at how the founding father balanced his ideals with pragmatism while also bending.
Instead of focusing on the everyday biographical details of a very long and rich life which with current historical information might well have. A pulitzer prizewinning biographer lauds the political genius of thomas jefferson. The art of power from monticello, november 11, 2012. According to walter isaacson, author of a biography of benjamin franklin, jeffersons original version used the phrase we hold these truths to be. Jeffersons genius was that he was both and could do both, often simultaneously. It is the strong in body who are both the strong and free in mind. The art of power, american gospel, and franklin and winston. Meacham, who teaches at vanderbilt university and at the university of the south, is a fellow of the society of american historians. As this thomas jefferson the art of power jon meacham, many people in addition to will obsession to buy the compilation sooner. The art of power, meacham tells us that jefferson wasnt only a brilliant politician, but a founding father who would have been horrified at todays ideological. Meacham boils down jeffersons life into nine individual sections, the longest naturally being the president of the united states, 18011809. It goes well into the details about jeffersons rise to political power with. Gordon wood called the art of power, probably the best singlevolume biography of jefferson ever written.
Dear commons community, i just finished reading jon meachams. Jon meacham is the author, most recently, of thomas jefferson. Meacham, who teaches at vanderbilt university and at the university of the south, is a fellow of the society of. He is also the author of the new york times bestsellers thomas jefferson. Pulitzer prizewinning author jon meacham launches his newest book thomas jefferson. The first, obvious from the books title, is jeffersons relationship with and use of power. The art of power gives us jefferson the politician and president, a great and complex human being forever engaged in the wars of his era. Jeffersons lifelong devotion to the survival and success of democratic republicanism in america, but meachams treatment reminds us of the fleshandblood politician, the man of action who masterfully bent the real world. It seems, based on meachams own words in the epilogue and based on the book as a whole, that meachams goal with the art of power is to provide a comprehensive, balanced portrait of jefferson. The art of power guides us through the entire life, but without much color or drama. Pulitzer prize winner jon meachams thomas jefferson. The art of power is an eminently interesting, exciting read. The art of power is probably as interesting for what it tells us about ourselves and the age we live in as it is about the life of and times of the much revered founding father. Meacham received the pulitzer prize for american lion, his bestselling 2008.