October 1, 2014
Gr 5-8-Thomas Jefferson was an idealist who was drawn to the cause of individual rights and a pragmatist who saw the need to take practical steps to get things done. That interpretation frames this adaptation for young readers of Meacham's Pulitzer Prize-winning adult biography, Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power (Random, 2013). Readers will see this mix of idealism and pragmatism again and again during Jefferson's career. Meacham first introduces these themes in the prologue, develops them throughout the book, and later reinforces them in the epilogue, making the book useful for introducing Common Core State Standard concepts, such as determining the author's point of view and the reasons and evidence provided to support it. The biographer presents important issues in American history, particularly those surrounding the beginnings of our nation, and a strong discussion of Jefferson's failure to deal with the issue of slavery. Students will also learn about significant people Jefferson encountered during his career: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and James Madison. The single shortcoming of this informative adaptation is its inability to capture Meacham's nuanced style and appealing storytelling. In reducing his 800-page biography by more than half, this adaptation has reduced his engaging narrative to shorter, often choppy, and much simpler sentences. Compare this title with Milton Meltzer's livelier account, Thomas Jefferson: The Revolutionary Aristocrat (Franklin Watts, 1991), which has stood the test of time well. Nevertheless, readers will be rewarded with a coherent, well-supported explanation of a complex man.-Myra Zarnowski, City University of New York
Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 1, 2014
Grades 5-8 Though his name may be new to the children's book field, Meacham is a Pulitzer Prizewinning writer, editor, and commentator whose adult title Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power (2012) has been widely praised. In adapting that lengthy tome for young people, Thomson stays close to Meacham's original biography, using many passages verbatim and somewhat rewording others. The nice selection of illustrations includes period paintings, prints, and documents, as well as maps and photos of sites and artifacts, though the lack of color reproduction detracts from the book's visual appeal. Throughout the biography, information about Jefferson's personal life is interspersed with narrative and commentary on his political career. Placing his actions within the context of his times, the narrative offers thoughtful discussions of multifaceted topics, from his relationship with Sally Hemings to his expansion of presidential powers with the Louisiana Purchase to the difficulty of squaring his moral certainty with his political hesitancy on the issue of slavery. A solid resource for young people intrigued by Jefferson.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)
July 16, 2012
Another Jefferson biography (right on the heels of Henry Wiencek’s Master of the Mountain)! Fortunately, Meacham’s is a fine work, deserving a place high on the list of long biographies of its subject even if rivaled by such shorter ones as Richard B. Bernstein’s Thomas Jefferson. Like David McCullough’s John Adams (to which it can be seen as a counterpart), Meacham’s book is a love letter to its subject. While he’s fully conversant with long-held skepticism about aspects of Jefferson’s character (his dissimulation, for instance) and his stance toward slavery, Meacham gives him the benefit of the doubt throughout (on, for example, his Revolutionary War governorship of Virginia and the draconian 1807 embargo). To Meacham, who won a Pulitzer for his American Lion, Jefferson was a philosopher/politician, and “the most successful political figure of the first half century of the American republic.” Those words only faintly suggest the inspirational tone of the entire work. Meacham understandably holds Jefferson up as the remarkable figure he was. But in the end, as fine a rendering of the nation’s third president as this book may be, it comes too close to idolization. Jefferson’s critics still have something valid to say, even if their voices here are stilled. Agent: Amanda Urban, ICM.
January 1, 2015
This adaptation of Meacham's Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power follows Jefferson from privileged youth to presidency, showing how intelligence and curiosity led to his penning of the Declaration of Independence, interest in exploring the American West, and skill in manipulating the political system. Acknowledgment of Jefferson's less admirable actions modulates the adulatory tone. Handsome and engaging. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.
(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
November 1, 2014
This young readers' version of Meacham's Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power contains more illustrations and less text than the original adult release. Whereas Meacham focused his adult book on how Jefferson created his place in history, adapter Thomson focuses on who he was. Jefferson had a privileged youth, complete with an enviable education and the luxury to explore philosophical and scientific ideas. Thomson highlights these traits of intelligence and curiosity and shows how they eventually led to Jefferson's penning of the Declaration of Independence and his interest in exploring the American West. With the election of 1800, however, Thomson embraces Meacham's "how" viewpoint and begins to show Jefferson's skill in manipulating the political system. She provides a clear and understandable delineation between the Federalists and the Republicans, and shows the impact these two views of government had on the young republic. The text's acknowledgment of some of Jefferson's less admirable actions -- such as using power he would abhor in others and justifying that use simply because he believed he was right -- modulate the adulatory tone. His long affair with Sally Hemings is noted, but its impact is muted by overexplanation of the complicated mores of the times. There is a surprising paucity of books about Jefferson at this level, however, and this handsome, well-written, and engaging volume fills that literary gap. Appended with additional background on Jefferson, source information, bibliography, and an index. betty carter
(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)