Light and Liberty

Were Thomas Jefferson alive to read this book he would recognize every sentence every elegant turn of phrase every lofty beautifully expressed idea. Indeed every word in the book is his. In an astonishing feat of editing Eric S. Petersen has culled the entirety of Thomas Jeffersons published works to fashion thirty-four original essays on themes ranging from patriotism and liberty to hope humility and gratitude. The result is a lucid inspiring distillation of the wisdom of one of Americas greatest political thinkers.. From his personal mottoRebellion to tyrants is obedience to Godto his resounding discourse on life liberty and the pursuit of happiness in the Declaration of Independence Jefferson defined the essential truth of the American spirit. In the essays that Petersen has crafted from letters speeches and public documents Jeffersons unique moral philosophy and vision shine through. Among the hundreds of magnificent sentences gathered in this volume here are Jeffersons pronouncements on. Gratitude: I have but one system of ethics for men and for nationsto be grateful to be faithful to all engagements and under all circumstances to be open and generous.. Religion: A concern purely between our God and our consciences.. Americas national character: It is part of the American character to consider nothing as desperate; to surmount every difficulty with resolution and contrivance.. Public debt: We shall all consider ourselves unauthorized to saddle posterity with our debts and morally bound to pay them ourselves.. War: I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind.. In stately measured cadences these thirty-four essays provide timeless guidance on leading a spiritually fulfilling life. Light and Liberty is a triumphant work of supreme eloquence as uplifting today as when Jefferson first set these immortal sentences on paper.