Books like American Sphinx by Joseph J. Ellis
Joseph J. Ellis—winner of the 1997 National Book Award for *American Sphinx*—examines the life of Thomas Jefferson beyond his political achievements. After 1809 Jefferson withdrew from the public stage and devoted himself to writing and the management of his Monticello estate, yet he remained a national icon. Ellis navigates the tension between the man’s private self and the public myth that has grown over the past two centuries, using primary documents and careful scholarship to separate fact from legend. The book underscores Jefferson’s influence on American history while offering a nuanced evaluation of his legacy.
First publish date: 1997
Genre: Biography & Autobiography/Political Biography
Authors: Joseph J. Ellis
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