Notes on the State of Virginia

by Thomas Jefferson and William (editor) Jefferson, Thomas) Peden

Book Overview

This American classic is the only full-length book written and published by Thomas Jefferson during his lifetime. Written in 1781, Notes on the State of Virginia was begun by Jefferson as a commentary on the resources and institutions of his home state, but the work's lasting value lies in its delineation of Jefferson's major philosophical, political, scientific, and ethical beliefs. Along with his accounts of such factual matters as North...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807845884
• ISBN13: 9780807845882
• Release Date: February 1996
• Publisher: Omohundro Institute and Unc Press
• Length: 344 Pages
• Weight: 1.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.9" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

TJ

You have to read this one. This has to be the most insight into an American legend.

Jefferson, warts and all

These are the words of Jefferson himself, in the only book he ever printed. In all his failings, yes, he was a raciest, he has to be still looked at carefully as one of the chief architects of American democracy. This is great reading for students of Jefferson.

Jefferson's Brilliance

Thomas Jefferson's " Notes on the State of Virginia" is a brilliant piece of history, sociology, law, geology, government,and science. This work, Jefferson's only book, shows his powerful, brilliant mind at it's best. Jefferson shows the depth of his knowledge, not just on his own beautiful state, but on human nature itself. Some of the gems in this work are his views on education, advocating free public education for all, free government, advocating a revisal of the defective original Virginia Constitution. His knowledge of slavery, and the Indian races before his eyes are from personal experience and observation. Although painted by the deconstuctionist left as a "racist" Jefferson was a dangerous radical to the Virginia gentry due to his advocacy of emacipation and deportation of slaves. His views on black inferiority are exaggerated since he placed them forth as a scientific hypothesis based on personal observation. Jefferson could not see a "multicultural" society in America made up of former masters and slaves with resentment and prejudice still in the hearts of both. Many of his predictions about race relations have come true: hate, resentment, power struggles, and a continuing obsession which he forsaw would destroy the America Republic.The best edited version of the is Koch and Peden's edited on in "The Life and Selected Writings of Thomas Jefferson", but the full Notes is very good, but the reader must be prepared for numerous charts and tables. Overall a great book, and buy!

Highly recommended for H.S and college students & others

The book is written much like an epic poem- with lists of river, towns, economic conditions etc in 1780s. But also much more: His feeling on race. He obviously did not hate blacks, proposed a theory that they were less intelligent, had an aesthetic view of man akin to Gulliver's Travels and the horses. Theory of education is much akin to European model of today, much better than current theories in use. He opposed multiculturalism and opposed teaching children religion in schools or anyplace else, preferring Greek, Roman and European histories and philosophy for guidance of children. The difference between the America he wanted and the reality of today is striking. Which is better? Each must judge, but this is a must read book.

Good for the casual reader of history

How can you rate a book by Thomas Jefferson as anything less than a "10?" I am not an expert on translations or interpretations of historical texts, but this book is well put together with informative footnotes. Anyone who is interested in Virginia and early U.S. history and/or Jeffersonian philosophy will enjoy and use this book.