JR (hopefinder) -
I recommend reading the book.David Barton writes from original sources and the book has 45 pages of footnotes.
Robert H. (readerrob) reviewed The Jefferson Lies: Exposing the Myths You've Always Believed About Thomas Jefferson on
Reader be warned...this is not a historical account of the life of Thomas Jefferson. If you are looking for a well researched, factually backed account of Mr. Jefferson's life, I would recommend American Sphinx by Joseph Ellis. As any student of the revolutionary period knows, Jefferson, like all of the founders, was flawed. None of these men are the ivory pillars of integrity that we were told they were when we were children. Jefferson was a great example of someone who lived by the old saying, "Do as I say, not as I do." However, these flaws do not diminish his many professional accomplishments. He is without doubt one of our greatest Americans.
Mr. Barton's book is nothing short of an attempt to rewrite history, or at the very least, to apply a coat of varnish so shiny that it blinds the reader to the truth about Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Barton is an evangelical Christian minister, not a historian. Simply examine his past publications and you will see that his goals are to advance a conservative, Republican agenda. While I respect the right of all American's to believe what they will, I do take offense to someone who repackages their beliefs into a historical rewrite and attempts to sell it to America as the truth.
Therefore, I will end as I began...reader be warned. If you are seeking a publication that will provide you with accurate information about one of American's greatest leaders, look elsewhere. And you won't have to look far - there is a lot of reputably written history out there. Do not suppose that because Mr. Barton has written a book and taken to pretending to be a historian that this book will provide you with accurate information. Mr. Jefferson, just like the rest of us, had personal flaws. He was not the perfect, Christ-like figure Mr. Barton attempts to depict. However, that doesn't diminish the respect that Americans should have for his contribution to the founding of our country. I simply can't understand why someone would seek to deliberately misinform the public. Don't be sold a bill of goods by Mr. Barton that simply isn't historically accurate.
Mr. Barton's book is nothing short of an attempt to rewrite history, or at the very least, to apply a coat of varnish so shiny that it blinds the reader to the truth about Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Barton is an evangelical Christian minister, not a historian. Simply examine his past publications and you will see that his goals are to advance a conservative, Republican agenda. While I respect the right of all American's to believe what they will, I do take offense to someone who repackages their beliefs into a historical rewrite and attempts to sell it to America as the truth.
Therefore, I will end as I began...reader be warned. If you are seeking a publication that will provide you with accurate information about one of American's greatest leaders, look elsewhere. And you won't have to look far - there is a lot of reputably written history out there. Do not suppose that because Mr. Barton has written a book and taken to pretending to be a historian that this book will provide you with accurate information. Mr. Jefferson, just like the rest of us, had personal flaws. He was not the perfect, Christ-like figure Mr. Barton attempts to depict. However, that doesn't diminish the respect that Americans should have for his contribution to the founding of our country. I simply can't understand why someone would seek to deliberately misinform the public. Don't be sold a bill of goods by Mr. Barton that simply isn't historically accurate.
