Thomas Jefferson: Passionate Pilgrim

Mapp?? ( Thomas Jefferson: A Case of Mistaken Identity ) has written a fresh interpretation of the third president's two terms in the White House and his productive post-presidential years from 1809 to his death in 1826. No previous biography matches this one in depicting Jefferson's far-ranging and insatiable intellect, his sense of humor or the spiritual dimension of his thought. In a letter quoted here, Jefferson refers to himself as ``a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus'' and denounces the ``demoralizing doctrines of Calvin.'' Mapp allows that many people are disturbed by Jefferson's dual role as slave-owner and opponent of the institution. Here he gives full airing to Jefferson's views on the ``hideous evil'' of slavery, making the point that we should not fault him for being no more enlightened on that issue than was the Great Emancipator two generations later. Finally, MappMapp or Mapps? provides a moving account of how Jefferson, plagued by financial woes and ill health, realizes a dream of half a century by foundingfounding? the University of Virginia in 1825 and serving as its rector. Illustrations. BOMC and History Book Club alternates. (Oct.)