|
| Twilight at Monticello: The Final Years of Thomas Jefferson | 
| Author: Alan Pell Crawford
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
Category: Book
List Price: $15.00
Buy New: $10.20
You Save: $4.80 (32%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  34 reviews
Sales Rank: 1200619
Media: Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
ISBN: 0812969464
Dewey Decimal Number: 920
EAN: 9780812969467
ASIN: 0812969464
Publication Date: February 10, 2009 (In 80 Days)
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Not yet published
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Much has been written about Thomas Jefferson, and with good reason: He was the architect of our democracy, a visionary chief executive who expanded this nation’s physical boundaries to unimagined lengths. But Twilight at Monticello is entirely new: an unprecedented look at the intimate Jefferson in his final years–from his return to Monticello in 1809 after two terms as president until his death in 1826–that will change the way readers think about this American icon. Basing his narrative on new research and documents culled from the Library of Congress, the Virginia Historical Society, and other special collections, Alan Pell Crawford paints an authoritative, deeply moving portrait of the private Jefferson–the first original depiction of the man in more than a generation.
Though physical illness and family troubles, Jefferson remained a viable political force, receiving dignitaries and corresponding with close friends, including John Adams and other heroes from the Revolution; helping his neighbor James Madison during his presidency; and establishing the University of Virginia. It was also during these years that Jefferson’s idealism would be most severely, and heartbreakingly, tested.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 29 more reviews...
 Outstanding November 20, 2008
Mr. Crawford has created an account of Thomas Jefferson that is vivid and allows the reader to be a witness at Monticello as the events are taking place. The deaths of both Jefferson and also his grandson years later are particularly interesting and emotional. In reviewing the comments of others on this site I note some criticism both of Jefferson and of Mr. Crawford. Fair enough, but let me point out that Jefferson is still world famous almost two centuries after his death for trying his best to make the U.S.A. a better place. As for Mr. Crawford, he has achieved for me the one requirement that makes a really good book. That is, I now know much more about the subject than I did before. Frankly, I am jealous of both men.
Great Book October 30, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. It gave great insight into Jefferson's personal and family life. It also put his life and ideas in historical context. From describing his life at Monticello, I learned about how the gentry planter class lived, how events affected their region, how slavery worked and how it, contrary to southern thought at the time, held the southern economy back. Although it is difficult to read about Jefferson's mounting problems throughout his life, it does show his humanity and, true to his republican ideals, that he shared much with the average American.
Bringing Jefferson to Life October 24, 2008
I absolutely loved this book. I read a lot of history and this is one of those special works that not only keeps you interested all the way through but I really got to see a new side to Jefferson especially his family dynamics and dysfunctions. I read Dumas Malone's Jefferson years ago and enjoyed it, but this book made me feel as though I was a spectator and sympathized with Jefferson's attempt to maintain his family's unity and wish for everyone to get along. But, like most families people don't always get along so well. As a health care provider,the details of his physical decline were also new information and of interest to me.You will really enjoy this important piece of historic literature.
 The Waning Years of a Founding Father September 22, 2008
Yes, there are a lot of books about Thomas Jefferson, and most of them deal with his political years. Twilight at Monticello concerns Jefferson's post-political years as he deals with his garden, his family, and his crushing debt. I found it fascinating and one of the better books on Jefferson published in the last decade. Highly recommended.
At Home with Thomas Jefferson August 20, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In Twilight at Monticello, I was looking for an accessible portrait of Thomas Jefferson the planter, neighbor, and family man. I got exactly that while simultaneously revisiting Jefferson the politician, history-maker, philosopher, and visionary. The great man was always there facing the mundane, the day-to-day difficulties of clashing personalities, mounting debt, and the inescapable effects of aging.
Crawford's prose is relaxed, yet precise - a pleasant balance between hard facts and evocative descriptions. He's an incredibly efficient storyteller, deftly drawing dozens of characters, while steadily revealing Jefferson himself.
Crawford's organization is fundamentally chronological, pausing from time-to-time for a story or discussion, such as Jefferson's philosophical struggle with the institution of slavery contrasted with his relationship with Sally Hemmings. Other "subplots" are skillfully and dramatically carried across the book - like the gruesome story of Jefferson's nephew Isham Lewis or Jefferson's relationship with the thoughtful and determined Edward Coles.
Monticello, Poplar Forest and Albemarle County come to life as well -- from the fog rolling over the Blue Ridge mountains, to the terraced gardens, to the charged excitement of Court Day in Charlottesville.
Jefferson the intellectual is never lost in this look at his later years. The reader finishes with a good grasp of Jefferson's world view and how it impacted his relationships with friends and family members. Irony fills Jefferson's old age, yet tragedy and pain can never really dampen his extraordinary vision.
Crawford paints Jefferson and life at Monticello with a swift, broad stroke, still the book is rich with detail. It is an engaging springboard to a wealth of Jefferson scholarship. Crawford left me wanting more, which in this case, is a very good thing.
|
|
|
Wildlife, nature and the Environment
Sponsored Links
Learn how to get your own Amazon Book shop | |
