Thomas Jefferson and His Time, Volume 1

The Virginian

By: Dumas Malone

Narrated by: Anna Fields

Length: 16 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Pulitzer Prize Winner, History, 1975

This is the first volume of distinguished historian Dumas Malone's Pulitzer Prize-winning six-volume work on the life and times of Thomas Jefferson. Based on a myriad of sources, it covers Jefferson's ancestry, youth, education, and legal career; his marriage and the building of Monticello; the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the Notes on Virginia; his rich, fruitful legislative career; his highly controversial governorship; and his early services to the development of the West.

Founding father: listen to the rest of the titles in the Thomas Jefferson and His Time series:

Volume 2

Volume 3

Volume 4

Volume 5

Volume 6

©1948 Dumas Malone (P)1998 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"This is going to be the Jefferson...it will endure as one of the imperishable monuments of biography - and take note that I don't say 'American biography', I say biography period." (Gerald W. Johnson)

Deep and Complete

How can an audio book this long be interesting? That was the question Mr. Malone answered through deep and complete treatment of Thomas Jefferson as a Virginian, leading up to the time of the Declaration. The thoughtful background and treatment of TJ's role in the government of Virginia is fascinating. If you have a passion for learning all you can about these times in our history, I have not heard any better than Mr. Malone. On to volume 2!

Narrator a bit off-putting

Dumas Malone's classic biography is so full of detail and well-documented anecdotes about this life (and pre-life, as there is a fascinating account of Jefferson's genealogy as well) of our founding father that it seems petty to complain about the reader. But her voice is hardly above a mumble at times, and she pronounces the same words differently as she goes, so I have to voice this protest. I have listened to her read the first two volumes of this biography and I don't think I can continue through the next four with her, though the periods of Jefferson's life they cover are the most eventful and the most interesting to history. I think I will read the next volumes out of the library rather than continue with this narrator. I enjoyed the facts on early Virginia history (I live and went to school in Virginia) and the early colonists and pioneers of our state, and on Jefferson's education and love of horseback riding and his boyhood friends. I went to the University of Virginia myself and the worship of Jefferson there is still alive and well. I highly recommend Dumas Malone's masterwork but cannot recommend this narrator. I hope I'm not sexist in saying so (she's the only female narrator I've heard so far on Audible), but she needs to improve her abilities if she's to capture a following among the otherwise very talented Audible narrators.

Great book!

This work on Jefferson is fascinating and accurate. Historians don’t write classics like this anymore!

Note in response to earlier review: Jefferson wasn’t at all sympathetic to bestiality. In the original law code, he doesn’t think the crime should carry the death penalty because those who committed it were few and society would ostracize them anyway.

thoroughly satisfying

I downloaded this volume not with little trepidation having read the negative reviews. THANK YOU to the one reviewer who gave it five stars encouraging me to make the purchase. This work is a masterpiece. Of course it contains mountains of information which to some listeners may seem a little dry,at times but this is a six volume project afterall. I found all the information pertinent to the story of who this man was. I never knew he had a quite compassisonate view regarding the crime of beastiality. (I never knew he even had a view regarding that) but it comes out in the review of his legislative work for Virginia. And the description of the special status and treatment of several captured war enemies ties in with the present situation of special status criminal in our present war.
The narrator is excellent! It's true that she tends to swallow the end of some of her sentences, but never to the degree that I couldn't undertstand the words. Her cadence, intonation and pronunciation I found to be right on target.
This is a very thorough biography which I found thoroughly enjoyable. I'm tempted to not wait until my next monthly credit and go ahead and purchase the next volume now.

Wonderful detail.

At last, someone finally took the time to assemble significant primary documents to tell the early life story of TJ with more fact than opinion. Perhaps this book is better read than heard, so the footnotes & references are at hand. My only complaint is the narrator mispronounces several prominent names,which made me cringe over and over again. At least she got Taliaferro correct, although Fauquier & Burwell are butchered. This is still a great listen and the narrator does have a pleasant & interesting voice. I'm looking forward to the last two volumes.

Valuable book, valuable lessons

A very worthwhile and valuable book. Thomas Jefferson’s views and intellect are extraordinary and he simply was a cut above. Anyone wanting to take shots at Jefferson better study his history. What a fine, intelligent and compassionate man whose view encompassed Mankind and continues to influence all generations. Definitely not a politician as we know them in any sense! Anna Fields reading is wonderful. Expressive and appropriate.

Predictable but Still Great

If you could sum up Thomas Jefferson and His Time, Volume 1 in three words, what would they be?

Detailed, Fascinating, Enjoyable

Any additional comments?

Although I've read many times that Malone was biased in his writing, which is very true, I still find his presentation of the facts fantastic. He loves is subject and shields him from negative commentary due to his actions concerning slavery, treatment of Indians and women. Still the amount of research that he put in the book is superb.

7 pages of notes

I have learned so much from this book. I have made notes for things to look up. I have shared information with friends.

A great start

I've read enough about Jefferson to have become intrigued enough to tackle these long volumes. Just through one but I don't yet see where I can agree with any of the complaints. I think Malone gives credit where it's do and doesn't seem to back away from criticism where warranted. I feel many times people have an opinion of someone based on pieces of information, not the entire picture, and unfortunately at many times misinformation and are unable to study a subject with an open mind. Prejudices are deeply rooted enough to cloud their judgment and impede an unbiased review. As far as the narrator, I enjoyed her tone and tenor, I don't think she ever "swallowed the ends of her sentences" as some have suggested, I think she's done a fine job. Now on to volume II.

A must for students of Jefferson

This first volume in Malone's six volume biography of Jefferson covers the period of his life up to the point where he sails to France as America's ambassador, including America's Declaration of Independence. The author admits the volume may seem to inch along but it is required to be that way if one desires a comprehensive portrait. As a student of Jefferson studies I found it interesting and thoughtful. It is an essential volume on the early life of Thomas Jefferson.