Thomas Jefferson

An artful portrait of a complex, formative figure in American history and his turbulent era, from a New York Times–bestselling author.

“A balanced, readable portrait. A refreshing perspective.” —New York Times Book Review

In this unique biography of Thomas Jefferson, leading journalist and social critic Christopher Hitchens offers a startlingly new and provocative interpretation of our Founding Father—a man conflicted by power who wrote the Declaration of Independence and acted as ambassador to France yet yearned for a quieter career in the Virginia legislature. A masterly writer, Jefferson was an awkward public speaker. A professed proponent of emancipation, he elided the issue of slavery from the Declaration of Independence and continued to own human property. A reluctant candidate, he left an indelible presidential legacy.

“This opinionated, lively narrative sheds light not only on Jefferson''s complex personality but on the politics of his time, making it both a fascinating character study and an excellent review of early American history.” —Publishers Weekly

“Hitchens brings his inimitable style of coruscating precision to Jefferson''s ambiguities, which have long provoked disparate opinions . . . Imaginative without being inventive, Hitchens is the rare author who can prune a complicated life such as Jefferson''s to reveal its salient characteristics.” —Booklist