From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Perhaps more than any other founding father, the author of the Declaration of Independence has been judged harshly by posterity for being a slaveholder and having a slave concubine. How did Jefferson assess himself at his life's end? Drawing on Jefferson's postpresidential papers, which Burstein says have been little studied, the University of Tulsa history professor (The Passion of Andrew Jackson, etc.) sheds new light on our most enigmatic and interesting founding father from a unique perspective. He presents a vivid portrait of Thomas Jefferson as an old man looking back on life, preparing for death and dwelling on both his successes and his sins.During Jefferson's dotage, as his finances collapsed around him, the old patriot had to confront not only the results of his lifelong fiscal excesses but also the fruits of other excesses. In his last years, Jefferson "permitted" two of his four children by the black slave Sally Hemings—both of whom could pass for white—to "run away." In his will he freed the remaining two, Madison and Eston Hemings, while at the same time making a request (granted) that the Virginia legislature permit them to remain in the state after emancipation—something not normally done. Jefferson had once written that "[t]he only exact testimony of a man is his actions." In his final years, he tangled with the philosophical and religious implications of his life as a holder of slaves and master of a slave concubine. In some moods, Jefferson hoped for God and an afterlife. In others, perhaps dreading what the Almighty might have to say to him, he described human existence as a brief space "between two darknesses."This splendid book shows old Jefferson standing at the precipice, taking stock and perhaps judging himself more harshly than any God might. This is a deeply moving portrait of the aged Jefferson's body, mind and spirit that takes the measure, as Burstein says, of the full range of the founder's imagination. Illus. not seen by PW. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
John Adams referred to Thomas Jefferson, who was both his friend and political opponent, as a "shadow man." Our most enigmatic founder seems tantalizingly out of reach for those trying to understand his personality. Historian Burstein, a noted Jefferson scholar, focuses on the last decade of Jefferson's life to glean Jefferson's thoughts regarding topics as varied as religion, medical science, sexual relations, and, of course, politics. Like the latter stages of Jefferson's life, this account is tinged with sadness. Jefferson was tortured by declining health, family tragedies, and creditors who were constantly nipping at his heels. Still, as his voluminous correspondence makes clear, Jefferson's optimism for both humanity and the American experiment never faltered. Burstein utilizes Jefferson's writings as well as recollections by friends and family members that have generally been neglected by recent scholars. While Jefferson remains an elusive target, one is left with this inspiring analysis of a life superbly lived. Jay Freeman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
In this moving and intimate look at the final days of our most enigmatic president, Andrew Burstein sheds new light on what Thomas Jefferson actually thought about sexuality, race, gender, and politics. Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, leaving behind a series of mysteries that captured the imaginations of historical investigators-an interest rekindled by the recent revelation that he fathered a child by Sally Hemmings, a woman he legally owned-yet there is still surprisingly little known about him as a man. In Jefferson's Secrets Andrew Burstein focuses on Jefferson's last days to create an emotionally powerful portrait of the uncensored private citizen who was also a giant of a man. Drawing on sources previous biographers have glossed over or missed entirely, Burstein uncovers, first and foremost, how Jefferson confronted his own mortality; and in doing so, he reveals how he viewed his sexual choices. Delving into Jefferson's soul, Burstein lays bare the president's thoughts about his own legacy, his predictions for American democracy, and his feelings regarding women and religion. The result is a moving and surprising work of history that sets a new standard, post-DNA, for the next generation's reassessment of the most evocative and provocative of this country's founders.

About the Author
Andrew Burstein is a full professor and co-holder of the Mary Frances Barnard Chair in U.S. History at the University of Tulsa. He was a consultant to Ken Burns and appeared in the PBS documentary "Thomas Jefferson." His scholarly articles on Jefferson have been published in The Nation, The William and Mary Quarterly, and Journal of the Early Republic. He is the author of The Passions of Andrew Jackson, America's Jubilee, and The Inner Jefferson. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, leaving behind a series of mysteries that have captured the imaginations of historical investigators-an interest rekindled by the recent revelation that he fathered a child by Sally Hemings, a woman he legally owned. Yet there is still surprisingly little known about his intimate life. In Jefferson's Secrets Andrew Burstein places his subject in a world of political and carnal appetites. He begins with Jefferson's last days and looks backward to create an emotionally powerful portrait of the private citizen as well as the champion of political democracy.

In this bold, carefully executed picture of Jefferson's imagination, Burstein draws on sources previous biographers have glossed over or missed entirely. Above all he shows how Jefferson confronted his own mortality. Through letters, diaries, and Jefferson's own library, Burstein recovers meaning in a lost medical vocabulary, makes sense of shadowy references and offhand musings, and, most importantly, tackles the crucial questions history has yet to answer: Did Jefferson love Sally Hemings, as many today would prefer to think? Did he believe in God? What were his attitudes towards women? How did he wish to be remembered?

Burstein reinterprets hundreds of unceremonious letters among the president's retirement papers to discover a personality generally missing from published anthologies. The result is a moving and surprising work of history that sets a new standard, post-DNA, for the next generation's reassessment of the most evocative and provocative of this country's founders.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Perhaps more than any other founding father, the author of the Declaration of Independence has been judged harshly by posterity for being a slaveholder and having a slave concubine. How did Jefferson assess himself at his life's end? Drawing on Jefferson's postpresidential papers, which Burstein says have been little studied, the University of Tulsa history professor (The Passion of Andrew Jackson, etc.) sheds new light on our most enigmatic and interesting founding father from a unique perspective. He presents a vivid portrait of Thomas Jefferson as an old man looking back on life, preparing for death and dwelling on both his successes and his sins. During Jefferson's dotage, as his finances collapsed around him, the old patriot had to confront not only the results of his lifelong fiscal excesses but also the fruits of other excesses. In his last years, Jefferson "permitted" two of his four children by the black slave Sally Hemings-both of whom could pass for white-to "run away." In his will he freed the remaining two, Madison and Eston Hemings, while at the same time making a request (granted) that the Virginia legislature permit them to remain in the state after emancipation-something not normally done. Jefferson had once written that "[t]he only exact testimony of a man is his actions." In his final years, he tangled with the philosophical and religious implications of his life as a holder of slaves and master of a slave concubine. In some moods, Jefferson hoped for God and an afterlife. In others, perhaps dreading what the Almighty might have to say to him, he described human existence as a brief space "between two darknesses." This splendid book shows old Jefferson standing at the precipice, taking stock and perhaps judging himself more harshly than any God might. This is a deeply moving portrait of the aged Jefferson's body, mind and spirit that takes the measure, as Burstein says, of the full range of the founder's imagination. Illus. not seen by PW. Agent, Geri Thoma. (Feb.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews