Jefferson is a man I find difficult to like. The great sphinx he was. He could not afford an open and embracing life. Too many dark corners and ulterior motives. Grand philosophy, but petty and petulant in life. I take him for what he gave but not for what he withheld.
Jefferson was a fink. John and Abigail Adams showered kindnesses on Jefferson when he came to London. How did he repay them? By stabbing Adams in the back, and torturing him with invective (as Jefferson surely knew was the best way to attack Adams, who was overly sensitive). Jefferson was the father of nasty partisan politics in America.
I do see a lot of parallels with today’s values. And I also thought he donated his book collection! Really well summarized. Kinda hope this is Lin Manuel Miranda’s next musical 😂
Jefferson is a man I find difficult to like. The great sphinx he was. He could not afford an open and embracing life. Too many dark corners and ulterior motives. Grand philosophy, but petty and petulant in life. I take him for what he gave but not for what he withheld.
I get it. I’ve always admired him. But today more than ever he reminds me that great men are not often good men.
Reminds me that most men are not often wholly good men, and those with larger than life achievements to their name often have flaws to match.
Exactly right.
Jefferson was a fink. John and Abigail Adams showered kindnesses on Jefferson when he came to London. How did he repay them? By stabbing Adams in the back, and torturing him with invective (as Jefferson surely knew was the best way to attack Adams, who was overly sensitive). Jefferson was the father of nasty partisan politics in America.
There’s a lot of truth in that.
I do see a lot of parallels with today’s values. And I also thought he donated his book collection! Really well summarized. Kinda hope this is Lin Manuel Miranda’s next musical 😂
Plenty of drama and comedy in there :)
This is so well done Joel! Thank you.
You bet. It’s a great book.