"In this first-person account, Bill Barker talks about his interest in Thomas Jefferson, how he became a Jefferson historical interpreter, how he developed and maintains his craft, and how his interpretation has expanded over time. Along the way, he includes historical information about Thomas Jefferson, using it to explain points about historical interpretation. Barker includes discussions about how he addresses sensitive Jefferson subjects, such as slavery and religion, in his interpretations"--

Our third president and founding father Thomas Jefferson is a role model for the Enlightenment movement. In addition, he sought avenues to live his words that "all men are ...endowed with the Rights for Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." Author Clay S. Jenkinson puts Jefferson's formulas in plain English and shows us how to apply those formulas to our own every day lives.

"This work is primarily about properly understanding some claims about Thomas Jefferson ... This work is particularly aimed at understanding Jefferson in light of claims made about him by some religious conservatives, especially those by David Barton. ... The aims of this work are quite simple: to be dispassionate in the analysis of the claims about Jefferson and to understand the events in question in their proper theological and cultural context. ... The plan of the book is to take church and state claims first followed by a focus on Jefferson's personal views of the Bible and religion. Then, we [the authors] briefly examine claims relating to the University of Virginia and close with an examination of Jefferson's views of race and his actions as a slave owner"--Page xi-xiii.

In The Jefferson Rule, historian David Sehat describes how everyone from liberals to conservatives, secessionists to unionists have sought out the Founding Fathers to defend their policies. Beginning with the debate between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton over the future of the nation, and continuing throughout our history—the Civil War, the World Wars, the New Deal, the Reagan Revolution, and Obama and the Tea Party—many politicos have asked, “What would the Founders do?” instead of “What is the common good today?” Both the Right and the Left have used the Founders to sort through such issues as voting rights, campaign finance, free speech, war and peace, gun control, and taxes, though those Fathers were a querulous and divided group who rarely agreed. In this “sobering, informative study” (Publisher’s Weekly), Sehat shows why coming to terms with the past would be the start of a productive debate. The result is, simply put, “required reading for those desperate for sane, intelligent political arguments” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). The Jefferson Rule “takes the reader through an engaging and insightful survey course in American history” (The Christian Science Monitor).

Noted historian Barton sets the record straight on the lies and misunderstandings that have tarnished the legacy of Thomas Jefferson.

“[A] monumental dual biography . . . a distinguished work, combining deep research, a pleasing narrative style and an abundance of fresh insights, a rare combination.”—The Dallas Morning News The third and fourth presidents have long been considered proper gentlemen, with Thomas Jefferson’s genius overshadowing James Madison’s judgment and common sense. But in this revelatory book about their crucial partnership, both are seen as men of their times, hardboiled operatives in a gritty world of primal politics where they struggled for supremacy for more than fifty years. With a thrilling and unprecedented account of early America as its backdrop, Madison and Jefferson reveals these founding fathers as privileged young men in a land marked by tribal identities rather than a united national personality. Esteemed historians Andrew Burstein and Nancy Isenberg capture Madison’s hidden role—he acted in effect as a campaign manager—in Jefferson’s career. In riveting detail, the authors chart the courses of two very different presidencies: Jefferson’s driven by force of personality, Madison’s sustained by a militancy that history has been reluctant to ascribe to him. Supported by a wealth of original sources—newspapers, letters, diaries, pamphlets—Madison and Jefferson is a watershed account of the most important political friendship in American history. “Enough colorful characters for a miniseries, loaded with backstabbing (and frontstabbing too).”—Newsday “An important, thoughtful, and gracefully written political history.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

The definitive life of Jefferson in one volume, this biography relates Jefferson's private life and thought to his prominent public position and reveals the rich complexity of his development. As Peterson explores the dominant themes guiding Jefferson's career--democracy, nationality, and enlightenment--and Jefferson's powerful role in shaping America, he simultaneously tells the story of nation coming into being.