Thomas Jefferson

A Biography of Spirit and Flesh

De: Thomas S. Kidd

Narrado por: Grover Gardner

A revelatory new biography of Thomas Jefferson, focusing on his ethical and spiritual life

Thomas Jefferson was arguably the most brilliant and inspiring political writer in American history. But the ethical realities of his personal life and political career did not live up to his soaring rhetoric. Indeed, three tensions defined Jefferson’s moral life: democracy versus slavery, republican virtue versus dissolute consumption, and veneration for Jesus versus skepticism about Christianity.

In this book, Thomas S. Kidd tells the story of Jefferson’s ethical life through the lens of these tensions, including an unapologetic focus on the issue where Jefferson’s idealistic philosophy and lived reality clashed most obviously: his sexual relationship with his enslaved woman Sally Hemings. In doing so, he offers a unique perspective on one of American history’s most studied figures.

©2022 Thomas S. Kidd (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Jefferson’s troubled life

After his wife’s death, he tries to rationalize many personal and financial decisions. Fascinating life

Outstanding documentation of a founding father

Excellent and insightful book on a key figure that helped shape America. Thank you for this.

Excellent! A Clear Evaluation of a Complex Man

Kidd takes the complexities of a man—body & soul—and distills the writings. beliefs, tensions, and uncertainties into a clear and concise work of art. What a fascinating and illuminating read!

Excellent new biography of TJ

Thoroughly enjoyed this new TJ biography by historian Thomas Kidd. Highly recommended. Audio version is very well done.

Human side of Jefferson!

This book highlights the brilliance and contradictions of Jefferson. It also illustrates the dirty under belly of politics at the birth of our nation. Enjoy.

Good Read

Reader is excellent. Nothing new in the story.pre in depth information about Jefferson would be helpful.

A good sober view of Thomas Jefferson

This was what I was looking for. It was balanced but honest. Sometimes I was so proud I wanted to weep other times I was so angry I wanted to move. This is a must read.

Great insights

Thomas Kidd does a great job of providing insight into the spiritual perplexities and hypocrisies of Jefferson. Not that he was anymore hypocritical than the rest of us. He was still a visionary of his time and his contributions to the important formation of our country should not be underrated. I really enjoyed learning so many insights about him and the world he lived in.

This version is the standard non in depth bio

Unlike William Hyland Jr's version of Jefferson, this is good on the surface. However the author simply spews the traditional version of TJ. He does admit the Hemmings scandal was created by an angry, drunken, reporter who had a vendetta against TJ for not appointing him to a postmaster position. We seem to love to believe the worse in those that came before us, with a smug superiority. It's easier to simply repeat the common (however terribly contrived) beliefs, than to research and question.
isn't the most noble schools mission to teach to think and not what to think? Yet here we go again.
I'm not suggesting TJ was not flawed. I'm only asking he be looked at with not with preordained prejudice.