Thomas Jefferson: Author of America
Thomas Jefferson: Author of America is a short biography of Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States (1801–09) and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776), by author, journalist and literary critic Christopher Hitchens.
 Cover of the first edition | |
| Author | Christopher Hitchens |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Thomas Jefferson |
| Publisher | Harper Collins |
Publication date | 2005 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| Pages | 188 |
| ISBN | 0-06-059896-4 |
| OCLC | 60525341 |
| 973.4/6092 B 22 | |
| LC Class | E332 .H66 2005b |
It was released as a part of Harper Collins' Eminent Lives series of "brief biographies by distinguished authors on canonical figures."[1][2]
Reception
The book has been praised by critics. Ted Widmer of The New York Times wrote, "Hitchens brings a refreshing perspective to the task, both in that he has not written at length about the founding moment and in that he sees Jefferson from the perspective of a Briton, albeit an Americanized one."[3] Publishers Weekly similarly described it as a "brief yet dense biography" and called it "a fascinating character study and an excellent review of early American history."[4] Kirkus Reviews called it "a lucid, gently critical view of the great president and empire-builder and most literate of politicians."[5]
References
- Hitchens, Christopher (2005). Thomas Jefferson: Author of America. Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-059896-4.
- "Living in Thomas Jefferson's Fictions". NPR. June 1, 2005. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
- Widmer, Ted (July 17, 2005). "Two Cheers for Jefferson". The New York Times. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
- "Thomas Jefferson: Author of America". Publishers Weekly. May 30, 2005. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
- "Thomas Jefferson: Author of America". Kirkus Reviews. April 1, 2005. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
