Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power

By: Jon Meacham

Narrated by: Edward Herrmann, Jon Meacham

Length: 18 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review • The Washington Post • Entertainment Weekly • The Seattle Times • St. Louis Post-Dispatch • Bloomberg Businessweek

In this magnificent biography, the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of American Lion and Franklin and Winston brings vividly to life an extraordinary man and his remarkable times. Thomas Jefferson: 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. Philosophers think; politicians maneuver. Jefferson’s genius was that he was both and could do both, often simultaneously. Such is the art of power. Thomas Jefferson hated confrontation, and yet his understanding of power and of human nature enabled him to move men and to marshal ideas, to learn from his mistakes, and to prevail. Passionate about many things—women, his family, books, science, architecture, gardens, friends, Monticello, and Paris—Jefferson loved America most, and he strove over and over again, despite fierce opposition, to realize his vision: the creation, survival, and success of popular government in America. Jon Meacham lets us see Jefferson’s world as Jefferson himself saw it, and to appreciate how Jefferson found the means to endure and win in the face of rife partisan division, economic uncertainty, and external threat. Drawing on archives in the United States, England, and France, as well as unpublished Jefferson presidential papers, Meacham presents Jefferson as the most successful political leader of the early republic, and perhaps in all of American history.

The father of the ideal of individual liberty, of the Louisiana Purchase, of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and of the settling of the West, Jefferson recognized that the genius of humanity—and the genius of the new nation—lay in the possibility of progress, of discovering the undiscovered and seeking the unknown. From the writing of the Declaration of Independence to elegant dinners in Paris and in the President’s House; from political maneuverings in the boardinghouses and legislative halls of Philadelphia and New York to the infant capital on the Potomac; from his complicated life at Monticello, his breathtaking house and plantation in Virginia, to the creation of the University of Virginia, Jefferson was central to the age. Here too is the personal Jefferson, a man of appetite, sensuality, and passion.

The Jefferson story resonates today not least because he led his nation through ferocious partisanship and cultural warfare amid economic change and external threats, and also because he embodies an eternal drama, the struggle of the leadership of a nation to achieve greatness in a difficult and confounding world.

Praise for Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power

“This is probably the best single-volume biography of Jefferson ever written.”—Gordon S. Wood

“A big, grand, absorbing exploration of not just Jefferson and his role in history but also Jefferson the man, humanized as never before.”—Entertainment Weekly

“[Meacham] captures who Jefferson was, not just as a statesman but as a man. . . . By the end of the book . . . the reader is likely to feel as if he is losing a dear friend. . . . [An] absorbing tale.”—The Christian Science Monitor

“This terrific book allows us to see the political genius of Thomas Jefferson better than we have ever seen it before. In these endlessly fascinating pages, Jefferson emerges with such vitality that it seems as if he might still be alive today.”—Doris Kearns Goodwin

©2012 Jon Meacham (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A true triumph. In addition to being a brilliant biography, this book is a guide to the use of power. Jon Meacham shows how Jefferson's deft ability to compromise and improvise made him a transformational leader. We think of Jefferson as the embodiment of noble ideals, as he was, but Meacham shows that he was a practical politician more than a moral theorist. The result is a fascinating look at how Jefferson wielded his driving desire for power and control." (Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs)

"This is probably the best single-volume biography of Jefferson ever written; it is certainly the most readable." (Gordon Wood, author of The Radicalism of the American Revolution)

“Jon Meacham resolves the bundle of contradictions that was Thomas Jefferson by probing his love of progress and thirst for power. Here was a man endlessly, artfully intent on making the world something it had not been before. A thrilling and affecting portrait of our first philosopher-politician.” (Stacy Schiff, author of Cleopatra: A Life)

Fantastic Listen!

I haven’t read any other books about Jefferson, but I find it hard to imagine one being more complete than this. I thought this book gave an insightful look into Jefferson’s personal, professional, and presidential life.

Herrmann’s performance fits perfectly with the content, and I felt that he did a marvelous job with this book.

well intended and reasonably delivered

The information in this book is very good. There are (in my opinion) important drawback to it's presentation. The writer of this book is so enthralled with Thomas Jefferson that he reduces the man's inequities and at the same time reduces or completely omits necessary information about contributions of other great men of that time to the operations that Jefferson was successful at, but would not have been without them, making it sound like Jefferson did it by himself. Jefferson also took credit for things others did and denied credit for heinous things he did do even to people he loved and who loved him. These we heard almost nothing of in this book. Jefferson was absolutely amazing and I wish I could say better about this book. this is the first book of the presidents that hasn't received a 5 star across the board rating from me. Also I think John should have read his own book. He has a better voice and presentation than the jaundiced one of the present reader. Okay good points about this book. If you're an avid reader of information about our forefathers, about half way through this book you re-fall in love with Jefferson. There are a lot of great truths in this book and when you add them to what you already know, they help complete some difficult parts of histories puzzles. all in all a great read!!!

A flawed hero

What made the experience of listening to Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power the most enjoyable?

Examining the pragmatic brilliance of Jefferson, I enjoyed the examination of his ideals & the compromises he made in order to achieve the foundation of our democracy. Protecting the country from the recurring pressure of monarchists, he had to maneuver at the expense of what he believed. But his confidence that ours is a country in which we can & always will improve gives me hope. He did not deliver the ideal; he expected us to keep working toward it. This work can't possibly address every detail. It offers perspective.
Engaging writing, well read. (Caveat: I listen at 1.25 speed.)

What did you like best about this story?

Examination of the contradictions that recurred throughout his life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Too long for that, although I found myself listening at every opportunity until finished.

Political fiction is hard pressed to keep up.

It's all too easy to be oblivious to the tumultuous and precarious nature of American history. Aside from a repertoire of tired cliches, I'm a late arrival to an appreciation for what history can teach. I am grateful for the likes of Mr. Meacham and his ability to give us a glimpse of the human elements that played integral roles in the shaping of our nation. I now have a deep appreciation for the imperfect man and I recognize that the reason which Mr. Jefferson utilized and advocated, is most likely our best strategy going forward.

Amazing biography

One of the best biographical books I have ‘read’. Very well balanced. Great job Jon Meacham. Bravo!

Great book about a guy I don't like. At all.

The subtitle of this book is right on, "The Pursuit of Power". Washington elevated him to Secretary of State and Jefferson constantly back-stabbed him (and lied about it) whenever it was in his personal interest. Zero loyalty with this guy. Everything he did to get to the presidency, mostly spreading false information, was aimed at getting power. He had no interest in facts or truth, just whatever he had to do to get what he wanted. He was a master politician for sure, in the very worst sense of the word. Good job on the Louisiana Purchase though, although he had to ignore his own interpretation of the constitution to get it done.

better than expected

Excellent narration. The author provides a more nuanced view of Jefferson than what is seen of him in other biographies. Like most biographers, the author puts a little extra polish on the focus of the book. I've found that reading several different views and aggregating them provides a more balanced version of many historical figures.

great listen....

loved in. in depth. lots of details. I guess anyone will learn a lot from this book.

a fascinating story about a fascinating man

I learned a great deal about the subject but also about this country and the origins of many of the issues we deal with today.

Good book Great narrator.

long book but worth the time. So much history and interesting stories. I really enjoyed listening to the narrator he made the book easier to listen too!