Thomas Jefferson: Westward the Course of Empire / Edition 1

by Lawrence S. Kaplan emeritus director, Lyman L. Lemnitzer Center for NATO and European Union St

Overview

This biography of one of America's greatest political figures focuses on Thomas Jefferson's role as a maker of foreign policy. Although he was not the sole formulator of American diplomacy, Jefferson's voice was the most pervasive in the first generation of the republic's history. This text explores how the concept of the United States' westward expansion worked as the moving force in forming Jefferson's judgments and actions in foreign relations. Although much has been written about Jefferson, this volume is one of the few that explores the full range of his positions on foreign relations. Readable and authoritative, Thomas Jefferson: Westward the Course of Empire offers new insight into the man who shaped American foreign policy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780842026307
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/01/1998
Series:	Biographies in American Foreign Policy , #1
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	198
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Lawrence S. Kaplan is university professor emeritus at Kent State University and adjunct professor of history at Georgetown University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Chronology Chapter 3 The 'Candid World' of Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1776 Chapter 4 The Alliance in Wartime, 1777-1783 Chapter 5 The European Years, 1784-1789 Chapter 6 Secretary of State, 1790-1793 Chapter 7 In Opposition, 1794-1800 Chapter 8 Toward an Empire of Liberty, 1801-1805 Chapter 9 Between the Lions and Tigers, 1805-1809 Chapter 10 The View from Monticello, 1809-1826 Chapter 11 Bibliographical Essay Chapter 12 Index

Editorial Reviews

Gracefully written, engrossing biography.

Howard Jones

Kaplan's synthesis of Jefferson sets a high standard, and the book belongs in all college and university collections.

The International History Review

With this volume, Lawrence Kaplan confirms his reputation as a master of Jeffersonian studies. Thomas Jefferson: Westward the Course of Empire presents a brisk but comprehensive, eminently fair-minded account of Jefferson's views and policies regarding foreign policy. By no means uncritical of Jefferson's strategic errors and wanderings from his professed principles, Kaplan nevertheless discerns a basic consistency in aims, namely, a desire to throw off European constraints and to expand the American empire.

Bradford Perkins

Scholars will applaud this evenhanded study of Mr. Jefferson. This volume, well written and well grounded in the most recent secondary accounts, should be well received by its intended audience.

American Diplomacy

With this volume, Lawrence Kaplan confirms his reputation as a master of Jeffersonian studies. Thomas Jefferson: Westward the Course of Empire presents a brisk but comprehensive, eminently fair-minded account of Jefferson's views and policies regarding foreign policy. By no means uncritical of Jefferson's strategic errors and wanderings from his professed principles, Kaplan nevertheless discerns a basic consistency in aims, namely, a desire to throw off European constraints and to expand the American empire.--Bradford Perkins, University of Michigan

Gracefully written, engrossing biography.--Howard Jones, research professory, University of Alabama

Kaplan's synthesis of Jefferson sets a high standard, and the book belongs in all college and university collections.--The International History Review

From the Publisher

Emphasizing the aspects of Jefferson's background, personality, and intellect that most influenced his approach to US foreign policy, this biography chronicles his political and intellectual life in sections, beginning with his earliest familial influences but dealing in most detail with his evolving thought and decisions in international and national politics. Includes a chronology and a bibliographical essay. Paper edition (unseen), $17.95. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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