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 and apathy have flourished. This book looks to Thomas Jefferson for guidance. Thomas Jefferson, as a man and as third president of the United States (1801-1809), was not a perfect man. He was a slave owner, a racist, and an apartheidist. Conversely, however, Jefferson was also an idealist, a free thinker, and a radical that believed that change was beneficial in keeping the nation strong. It is these more positive qualities and other like ideals that the author believes that politicians should adopt in rebuilding a stronger nation. To this end, this book examines the ideal qualities of a Jeffersonian politician. Each of these qualities is examined in detail and then examined for potential adaptation to present concerns. Though this book focuses on founding and traditional political ideals, many of these ideals would also be beneficial if adopted in our daily life and the way we as individuals look at the world.

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

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 of man's lot and the improvement of man's mind are one and the same thing." Each chapter starts with a quote or quotes, followed by a few explanatory paragraphs. A listing of the first few chapter titles indicates something of the ideas presented: Self Reliance (pg. 12), Foreign Policy (pg. 15), Education, (pg. 19), Leadership, (pg. 22), Distributive Justice, (pg. 25), Love of Books (pg. 28), The Role of Government, (pg. 31), the Size of Government, (pg. 35), etc. Jeffersonian characteristics include a preference for the art of living over power, wealth, and status, an appreciation of the wholesomeness of nature, self-reliance and a sanguine outlook on life. Jenkinson states that "Jefferson believed that we exist to be happy, not to struggle through life or perform duties or deny ourselves pleasures." (pg. 69) The book is a call for renewal, courage, optimism, and change in both major political parties, neither of which, as Jenkinson describes in his introduction, behaves according to most Jeffersonian principles - both parties are identical in their essential respects. This book advocates a grass roots movement, though conversation, questions, email, postings, letters to the editor, etc. toward renewal of the republic.

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 mix of thoughts about Jefferson's ideals and practical suggestions for living up to those ideals.

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.