During his remarkable lifetime, Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) served his country in many capacities, including as the third President of the United States. But ultimately, this gifted individual — an accomplished architect, naturalist, and linguist — wished to be remembered primarily as the writer of the Declaration of Independence.
In this autobiography, begun in 1821 when the author was 77, Jefferson touches fleetingly upon his early years before focusing on the period during which he wrote the Declaration. This edition features a fascinating first draft of the document, in addition to Jefferson's comments on the Articles of Confederation. Other highlights include his firsthand observations on the early stages of the French Revolution, obtained while serving as Minister to France, as well as insights from his many other public roles: wartime Governor of Virginia, Washington's Secretary of State, and Vice President during the John Adams administration. This brief memoir provides a rare opportunity to share the reflections of a Founding Father as written in his own words.
今天推荐一本人物传记：《杰斐逊自传》
在他非凡的一生里，托马斯杰斐逊能力杰出，担任过多个头衔和重任，包括美国第三任总统。但是，这位天才，多才多艺的建筑师、博物学家和语言学家的初衷是希望人民把他以《独立宣言》的起草者记住。
1821年，他77岁，以自传的形式对他的早年生活略作描述，然后重点介绍他撰写《独立宣言》时期的事情。这个初稿非常珍贵，里面有他担任法国部长时期对法国大革命早期阶段的观察，以及他身兼多职的经验中得到的人生见解：战时的弗吉尼亚州州长、华盛顿州国务卿和亚当斯密总统期间的副总统。这本简洁的回忆录非常珍贵，通过自传的形式记录了开国元勋的一生。
托马斯杰斐逊在他的自传里，体现了美国人的拓荒精神，他出生于非常勤奋的家庭，受到父亲的影响，学习工作都非常刻苦，每天只睡五个小时，早上起来先看三个小时的书，然后处理工作，下午仅仅休息一小时，又继续工作，晚上还要写三个小时的写作再休息。每天的生活都几乎一成不变。
托马斯杰斐逊是一个备受争议的政客。一方面，他在《美国独立宣言》中起草的那句名言：All men were created equal!充满人类的自由精神，是美国早期的自由领袖！然而，他却在自己的庄园蓄养了300多奴隶。这种前后矛盾，表里不一让他背上了虚伪的骂名。他被后人称作美国的斯芬克斯。
感兴趣的可以去看看原著，读历史使人明智，看看传记类的作品一定会对自己的人生有诸多启发。
