Becoming Jefferson's People: Re-Inventing the American Republic in the Twenty-First Century

By Clay S. Jenkinson

Book Overview

Thomas Jefferson was the principal dreamer of the Founding Fathers. Pragmatic utopian and practical visionary, Jefferson was one of the most creative men who ever lived. He penned the thirty-five most revolutionary words in the history of the English language: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." Humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson has written a bold call for a Jeffersonian renewal in America. "We need the Sage of Monticello's vision as we begin what is the most difficult periods of American history." The Jeffersonian consists of self-reliance, an uncompromising dedication to liberty (over security, profit, comfort, and tradition), an unambiguous wall of seperation between church and state, first-rate public education, thoughtfulness and diffidence about America's place in the world, and a commitment to civility. Jefferson brought genius (not to mention reason, good sense, and idealism) to whatever he undertook, and he believed that the purpose of America was not to seek glory and profit in the world's arena, but to build a nation of equality, justice, and cultural achievement. Becoming Jefferson's People is part manifesto, part call for a new political persuasion in the United States, part self-help book, and part critique of the consumerist world empire that the United States has become at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1930806221
• ISBN13: 9781930806221
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Marmarth Press
• Length: 131 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Age Range: 15 years and up

Customer Reviews

Becoming Jefferson's People: Re-Inventing the American Republic in the Twenty-First Century

Becoming Jefferson's People: Re-inventing the American Republic in the Twenty-first Century urges change within the American political system. The author believes that the current political system, including both democrats and republicans, has become focused on keeping the status quo no despite the ultimate costs to the country. In this way, right to free speech and potentially new ideas have been restricted while cynicism...

Rediscover Jefferson!

For anyone seeking to connect with the vision that Thomas Jefferson maintained for our republic, this book will not disappoint. A much needed call to reawaken our boldness, optimism, and self-reliance. -OP

Revolutionary Philosopher

This short book (131 pgs) succinctly presents how Thomas Jefferson's philosophy of life could be applied by today's citizens. Jefferson was an astonishingly prolific and articulate proponent of the Enlightenment idea that reason and inquiry are the only oracles give to us by the Creator, and we should to gain happiness through reflection, conviction, and action. One of Jefferson's heroes, Francis Bacon, said, "...the improvement...

What a Wonderful World

If everyone read this book and got excited about implementing two or three of the ideas in their own lives and communities, America would truly become the light to the world that Thomas Jefferson envisioned. Using his vast knowledge of Jefferson's writings and his deep understanding of Jefferson's soul, Clay Jenkinson gives a blueprint for becoming the people "who hold these truths to be self-evident." This book is a perfect...

Reclaiming America

Clay Jenkinson's practical reminder of what it means to be a productive, "enlightened" and pro-active American citizen who actively participates in democracy is a must read and a pleasant read.