As part of the celebration of Thomas Jefferson's 250th birthday, Fulcrum Publishing, in cooperation with the Library of Congress, has published "Jefferson the Man: In His Own Words," a 54-page hardcover book of Jefferson quotations arranged to highlight the many facets of his life as well as his greatest achievements.
Edited and with a short essay on "The Legacy of Thomas Jefferson" by Fulcrum publisher Robert Baron, the book also includes an essay by John Y. Cole on "Thomas Jefferson and the Library of Congress."
From his incisive comments on American governance ("We are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a featherbed") to the tender admonitions of a loving father ("Pity and help any thing you see in distress and learn your books and improve your minds. This will make everybody fond of you"), Jefferson speaks eloquently and poignantly from every page to the reader of today.
Among the subjects covered are gardening, exploration, education, friends and family, books and religion.
In tandem with the quote book, Fulcrum/Starwood and the Library have also released a 1994 wall calendar of the same title. The Jefferson the Man calendar features illustrations drawn primarily from the Library, a selection of quotation, and dates of Jefferson-related occurrences. Here are Jefferson's rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, his drawing of a plow design, volumes in Greek, Italian and French from his library and more.
The book sells for $9.95 and the calendar for $10.95. They are available in retail outlets and at the Library of Congress Sales Shop.
A MANUAL OF PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICE
A new edition of Thomas Jefferson's 1801 "A Manual of Parliamentary Practice" has just been published by Applewood Books in cooperation with the Library of Congress. Based on the original volume in Jefferson's library that is now housed in the Library of Congress, this small-format, softcover edition makes widely available again a classic of parliamentary procedure that will be of interest to legal and historical scholars -- as well as to anyone interested in the way to run a meeting.
Originally published in 1801, Jefferson's "Manual" had its origins in his student days at the College of William and Mary. As a student of parliamentary law under the tutelage of William Small, Jefferson read extensively on the subject and began compiling passages he found particularly important. Later he observed firsthand the confusion that arose from inadequately administered rules and procedures in legislative bodies, and it made his conviction of their importance all the stronger.
Less an original work than a systematic compilation of previous writings, Jefferson's manual was intended to be used primarily by a small group of senators. But his typical thoroughness and ability to distill the essence of his subject resulted in a book that stirred interest among citizens everywhere who were concerned with the proper conduct of public assemblies. The Manual remains part of the rules of the House of Representatives.
The new Applewood/Library of Congress edition of the Manual includes a subject index and introductory essay by James Gilreath, American history specialist in the Rare Book and Special Collections Division of the Library of Congress.
The book retails for $10.95 and is available in bookstores and at the Library of Congress Sales Shop.
