American Sphinx - The Character of Thomas Jefferson

• Paperback: 464 pages
• By Joseph J. Ellis

• Product Description

• Following Thomas Jefferson from the drafting of the Declaration of Independence to his retirement in Monticello, Joseph J. Ellis unravels the contradictions of the Jeffersonian character.  He gives us the slaveholding libertarian who was capable of decrying miscegenation while maintaing an intimate relationship with his slave, Sally Hemmings; the enemy of government power who exercised it audaciously as president; the visionary who remained curiously blind to the inconsistencies in his nature.  American Sphinx is a marvel of scholarship, a delight to read, and an essential gloss on the Jeffersonian legacy.

Since George Washington took the mantle as our first President in 1789, a total of 45 men have served in 47 presidencies. Alongside the President, a total of 49 men and 1 woman have served as the Vice President.

The President of the United States directs the executive branch and is commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces. While the power of the President has ebbed and flowed over the years, the President holds significant domestic and international power today.

The current President of the United States is Donald J. Trump, serving his non-consecutive second term in office; JD Vance is the current Vice President.

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