American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson - Joseph J. Ellis

This book had a large influence on me when I was 17. The interesting thing about Jefferson is that his unique character is as much of a subject as his biography. I didn't understand it then, but the characterization this book paints would serve as parables in my life about the nature of intelligence. The first is that we applaud those capable of good grammar and command of it but Jefferson was so poor at it that his first State of the Union Address was only heard by the first three rows of the audience and read along by everyone else because the speech was published in a newspaper that day. Then there is the self image of intelligence. Jefferson perceived himself to be smart, but said he couldn't even argue what color the sky was with John Marshall because Marshall's intellect was that intimidating. As much as anyone wants to view themselves the authority on a subject, there is always someone around the corner who knows more than you do. The last thing is the purpose of argument. Ellis said that Jefferson found an argument in any situation, no matter what was being discussed. I don't follow this in detailing my ideas of a work of art or something, but it does speak to the fact that the colony of agreeance can be very large for a subject but none of those members are helping themselves better understand what they really agree about. These are all small lessons that still stick with me.