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Review title: Good Study of Jefferson
Product review: I like how Ellis approaches his subject--he centers his work on particular events, rather than sheer chronological biography. His research is nearly flawless. However, I find his approach to Jefferson (well, this is true of all modern Jeffersonian biographers) to be biased; he seems almost sarcastic at times, as though he is determined to topple the myth of Jefferson, the man of the people. We are dealing with a complex historical figure, who knew that he would be the topic of much spilled ink--think of what Jefferson did not include among his surviving correspondence. I believe Ellis makes every effort to withhold judgment--another strength of the book, as many biographers don't even try. (I'm thinking of Malone who seemed to worship Jefferson, even though his research and detail is nothing short of amazing.)Perhaps Ellis cannot avoid his impatience with the near deification of Jefferson, but there were times he needed to hold back on his dismissive tone.
