Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson
$19.99
This book is concise and easy to read, which is important to maintain the reader's interest. You'll learn many things about Jefferson that you didn't know, especially his feelings about slavery. What's most interesting is the often overlooked time Jefferson spent in Europe. However, understanding this period of Jefferson's life is crucial to understanding his sympathy for the French Revolution, which was one of a couple of major points of contention between Jefferson and Hamilton. (By the way, the Jeffersonians and Hamiltonians were the first major political divide in America.)

Bernstein achieves what is very difficult: withhold judgment on Jefferson and let the facts speak for themselves. After reading several books about the Founders, I've found that Jefferson is an idealist to a fault and much too faithful in the goodness of men. Also, his determination not choose sides between the French and British was one of a series of mistakes Presidents Adams through Madison, in leaving America open to attack from the British in 1812.

My only complaint of this book is that the chapter on Jefferson's second term in office is rather brief. Other than that, it is pleasantly informative and balanced.

Surrealistic Pillow
$7.99
Whoops: I was expecting plastic bombastic psychedelia. In reality (!), it's one and a quarter sides of magnificence, and the lesser material isn't bad, definitely much better than that plastic stuff. I totally dig Grace Slick, wish she sang more, and I really dig Paul's vocals, or maybe that's Jorma I'm hearing. It's Jorma's riffs I'm feeling, especially on "Somebody to Love," which would have made me turn off the stereo at one time. Not now.

The Jeffersons - The Complete Fourth Season
$24.95
The Jeffersons television show was a huge success and would have continued had the CBS network allowed them another season. The same group of crew members behind the Jeffersons moved on to Married with Children. The Jeffersons is set on the Upper East Side of New York City with Sherman Helmsley (who deserved an Emmy) for his role as George Jefferson, the loud-mouthed obnoxious dry cleaner entreprenuer with a small chain of 7 stores. They have the wonderful Marla Gibbs as Florence Johnston, their live-in housekeeper, and of course the amazing Isabel Sanford as Louise "Weezy" Jefferson as George's wife. As Weezy, Sanford not only holds her own but is responsible for much of the common sense in the Jeffersons household. Of course, their building has their share of neighbors like the interracial couple, the Willises, who become family when their daughter Jenny married the Jeffersons' son, Lionel. After that, we don't see much of the younger Jeffersons. Paul Benedict plays British neighbor and bachelor who lives next door who uses George's feet to help him with his back problem. The Willises played by Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker (Lenny Kravitz's mother) play a thankless role because interracial romances are quite rare to see in the 1970s. They do exist but as Michele Greene from L.A. Law realized that a lesbian kiss got less attention than her interracial kiss with Blair Underwood, an African American actor. Of course, those prejudices still exist but I think the Willises helped set precedent about interracial couples as being real and non-threatening as well to the community like the way that homosexual and lesbian couples are seen today. The Willises make us more tolerant or helps educate the audience. I can't forget Zara Cully who is on less in this season possibly because of her failing health. Her role as Mother Jefferson and criticisms of her daughter-in-law Louise are unforgettable. Marla Gibbs helped establish the same collaboration with Sherman Helmsley. In this season, the grand opening of Jefferson offices in a two episode deal has a kidnapping and ransom of Mrs. Jefferson but the kidnappers napped the wrong woman. The show also tackled transgender issue with George's old navy buddy, Eddie, who now goes by Edie. Some shows might be tacky but the Jeffersons like their sister show, All in the Family, did a subtle but brilliant job and Veronica Redd does an outstanding guest performance in this role. The next episode is entitled George's Help which features Louise getting involved at the Help Center and helping hiring Marcus who becomes like another son to George in the process. Who can forget George's legacy where he creates a bust of himself? The episodes are wonderful but my only grievance with Jeffersons and Good Times is that they don't have subtitles like French and Spanish but either way, I wouldn't give them up for the world.

Thomas Jefferson - A Film by Ken Burns
$24.99
Children would become more interested in history if
more schools taught like this series(with the exception
of a few facts.)

Very well done and interesting DvD.

I always percieved Thomas Jefferson as a larger than Life
personality when actually he was very shy...
At an early age he liked books more than people..taught
himself 2 languages by the time he was 6 years old...


1. he encourged the Lousiana purchase that doubled
the size of America..

2. His father died when he was very young, personal
tragedy followed him all of his life.

3. His wife died young...and 5 of his 6 children died.

4. He was an enigma that wrote "all men are created equal" but
was one of the largest slave owners in Virginia..

5. He helped establish schools that anyone could attend
for free...and didn't want government interferance.

6. Jefferson and John Adams were friends
became adversaries when Jefferson wanted the people
freedom to dissent when needed and John Adam believed
in larger government later in life when both were
more aged they started writing to each other and settled their
differences.

7. Jefferson and Adams passed away on the same day..
July 4th 1826...the 50th anniversary of our
independance they helped achieve.

this DVD explores much more about the man himself and
I became interested when I saw the John Adams HBO series
i will watch this dvd over and over...