Overview

Nearly 200 years after his death, Thomas Jefferson continues to fascinate and mystify scholars and the public alike. Recently, it seems that every aspect of his life and career, including a possible relationship with one of his slaves, has been put under the microscope. But Jefferson's interest in rhetoric, or discourse, has always been but a footnote before Jefferson and the Rhetoric of Virtue. In this volume, James L. Golden and Alan L. Golden undertake the first careful study of Jefferson's rhetorical philosophy and practice. They find that not only did Jefferson take a great interest in classical and modern students of rhetoric, but that he developed his own program for its study. They also discover that Jefferson viewed the study of discourse as a vehicle for upholding virtue. Jefferson's commitment to virtue, the authors argue, helps to explain his interest in rhetoric, just as a study of his rhetorical philosophy leads to a deeper understanding of his commitment to virtue. Golden and Golden discuss Jefferson's influences and education in rhetoric, how he came to be interested in the field, and the development of his philosophy on discourse. Supplemented by extensive primary source material, Thomas Jefferson and the Rhetoric of Virtue gives readers a first-hand account of Jefferson's understanding of virtue as viewed through his studies in rhetoric.

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9780742520806

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Reviews

The statesmen of the Revolutionary generation sought to reorder the world with words, and Thomas Jefferson played a pivotal role in this effort. In these pages, James L. Golden and Alan L. Golden recover and present, more comprehensively and persuasively than any previous scholar, Jefferson's rhetorical learning and his use of that learning in the service of republican virtue. Even readers who find occasional points of disagreement will learn much from this stimulating and instructive book. -- R B. Bernstein, New York Law School The authors have brought together in one place important elements of Jefferson's political thought that have received relatively little notice. Scholars wishing to pursue this line of inquiry will find this well-researched volume a useful point of departure. Journal of American History Golden and Golden's years of intense research pay solid dividends as they identify the rhetorical influences that shaped Jefferson's perspective and the criteria that Jefferson, himself, identified as the standards by which to evaluate rhetoric. Southern Communication Journal In Thomas Jefferson and the Rhetoric of Virtue, James and Alan Golden have created a fascinating, lucid, and comprehensive guide to the rhetorical theory and practice of one of the most eloquent Americans. A monumental work-thorough, judicious, and ardent in its appreciation of Jefferson. -- Thomas W. Benson, Pennsylvania State University

The statesmen of the Revolutionary generation sought to reorder the world with words, and Thomas Jefferson played a pivotal role in this effort. In these pages, James L. Golden and Alan L. Golden recover and present, more comprehensively and persuasively than any previous scholar, Jefferson's rhetorical learning and his use of that learning in the service of republican virtue. Even readers who find occasional points of disagreement will learn much from this stimulating and instructive book.--Bernstein, R B.

The statesmen of the Revolutionary generation sought to reorder the world with words, and Thomas Jefferson played a pivotal role in this effort. In these pages, James L. Golden and Alan L. Golden recover and present, more comprehensively and persuasively than any previous scholar, Jefferson's rhetorical learning and his use of that learning in the service of republican virtue. Even readers who find occasional points of disagreement will learn much from this stimulating and instructive book. -- R B. Bernstein, New York Law School The authors have brought together in one place important elements of Jefferson's political thought that have received relatively little notice. Scholars wishing to pursue this line of inquiry will find this well-researched volume a useful point of departure. * Journal of American History * Golden and Golden's years of intense research pay solid dividends as they identify the rhetorical influences that shaped Jefferson's perspective and the criteria that Jefferson, himself, identified as the standards by which to evaluate rhetoric. * Southern Communication Journal * In Thomas Jefferson and the Rhetoric of Virtue, James and Alan Golden have created a fascinating, lucid, and comprehensive guide to the rhetorical theory and practice of one of the most eloquent Americans. A monumental work—thorough, judicious, and ardent in its appreciation of Jefferson. -- Thomas W. Benson, Pennsylvania State University

Author Information

The late James L. Golden was emeritus professor of rhetoric and political communication in the School of Journalism and Communication at Ohio State University. The late Alan L. Golden was associate professor of history at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.

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