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Inventing America: Jefferson's Declaration of Independence

Inventing America: Jefferson's Declaration of Independence

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Inventing America: Jefferson's Declaration of Independence

by Wills, Garry

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
UsedAcceptable
ISBN 10
0385089767
ISBN 13
9780385089760
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About This Item

UsedAcceptable. There is some crinkling to some of the pages possibly from water There is a lot of wear and tear on the cover There are stains or residue on the cover This is a paperback copy There is staining on the text block edges Fast Shipping - Each order powers our free bookstore in Chicago and sending books to Africa!

Synopsis

From one of America's foremost historians, Inventing America compares Thomas Jefferson's original draft of the Declaration of Independence with the final, accepted version, thereby challenging many long-cherished assumptions about both the man and the document. Although Jefferson has long been idealized as a champion of individual rights, Wills argues that in fact his vision was one in which interdependence, not self-interest, lay at the foundation of society. "No one has offered so drastic a revision or so close or convincing an analysis as Wills has . . . The results are little short of astonishing" (Edmund S. Morgan New York Review of Books ).

Reviews

On Mar 1 2022, a reader said:
This is a significant book, written by an intellectual darling of the 60s and 70s. As such, Wills was formulating his concept of America and becoming disenchanted with conservatism's embrace of libertarianism. So it is tainted a bit in being informed by a stage of the author's intellectual development and the times....as all histories are.

My biggest gripe is the author's pretentiousness. He lets few opportunities to put his mastery of sources go by without piling on his brilliance. Too many times I hoped his meanderings would lead me to a point and summation. The good news is that they do. I love Garry Wills. Thank God he matured and gave us Lincoln at Gettysurg and more.

The author's use of the first draft is critical before other hands changed his work. But ultimately, the final product was a democratic one based on consensus. Messy for sure, and watered down. So the book is largely about Jefferson untainted by mortals. Ideals vs process. And inspiration and insight.

Criticism aside, how can one not read this book if one cares for one's country and wishes to understand our own birthing? It's brilliance outshines any reservations.

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Details

Bookseller
Books4Cause Inc. US (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #
5D4W940005SV_ns
Title
Inventing America: Jefferson's Declaration of Independence
Author
Wills, Garry
Book Condition
UsedAcceptable
Quantity Available
1
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0385089767
ISBN 13
9780385089760
Publisher
Doubleday
Place of Publication
New York, New York, U.s.a.
This edition first published
1978

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About the Seller

Books4Cause Inc.

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Skokie, Illinois

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