Volume II in the series Jefferson in His Lifetime was enjoyable but probably a low-point in the six volume series. It begins with the latter, most uneventful portion of his time in France, followed by his stint as Secretary of State during Washington's first term.
My lackluster enjoyment of this volume was partly because I've read about this section of Jefferson's life in great detail before, most recently from the George Washington biography by Douglas Southall Freeman.
It was also in part because the time period falls between Jefferson's greatest contributions to society, that of his early writings in the quest for liberty and his later presidency.
But it was also because this period marks the beginning of his epic contest with Alexander Hamilton. And because I read the fantastic biography of Hamilton by Walter Isaacson just last year I have a deeper appreciation for his side of the conflict. At times I found myself almost rooting for Hamilton over Jefferson.
As I've written about before, these early years of the grand experiment under the new constitution required the solidity of Washington's leadership. Hamilton's efforts to build internal systems of revenue, banking and commerce, although not perfect, were necessary to the embryonic nation. Only later, after the country was off and running could it afford the loftier pursuits of Jefferson's presidency.
And so this relatively bland phase of the series will possibly continue in Volume III, which centers on Washington's second term in office and the continued conflict with Hamilton. My interest should peak in volume's IV and V, covering Jefferson's two terms as president.
I will pause briefly before beginning volume III, a great opportunity to begin my pivot east.
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