Thomas Jefferson holds a place in American history as one of the nations most important and fascinating historical figures.
"People who knew him best would say he was very attractive and very engaging in small groups," said Idaho State University history professor Ronald Hatzenbuehler.
Throughout his 30-year teaching career at Idaho State University, Hatsenbuehler has been publishing works on early American history, especially in relation to Jefferson. Hatzenbuehler will present his latest work, "I Tremble for My Country: Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia Gentry," at a free book reading on Thursday, April 17, at the Community Library in Ketchum at 6 p.m.
"Jefferson gave an inaudible inaugural speech and started the trend of submitting his speeches in writing," said Hatensbuehler. "It's only in the 20th century presidents started doing things personally. The founders were better with words than we are today."
It is no secret that Jefferson was a gifted writer. The only other president who comes close to his talent was Abraham Lincoln. However, Hatzenbuehler plans to talk about Jefferson's life as a Virginian and how he was best understood as a member of a privileged class.
"He was a conflicted individual," Hatzenbuehler said. "He lived well and outside of his means."
Hatzenbuehler's latest Jefferson account reveals how the nation's third president died penniless and in debt. Jefferson would criticize aristocrats but fully participate in the same lifestyle.
"Americans don't do well with a conflicted point-of-view," Hatzenbuehler said. "We want good or bad."
Hatzenbuehler said Jefferson was a man ahead of his time in many areas. He was extremely clever with words and a very complex individual as well as being very reserved.
"Seeing Jefferson from a local perspective was a surprise for me," Hatzenbuehler said. "I expected to see him as an American with conflicted issues. The conflicted issues came from a local perspective rather than a national one."
In the February 2008 edition of "The Journal of Southern History," a review of "I Tremble for My Country" refers to the country being Virginia, and points out how Hatzenbuehler unveils Jefferson's character as being a Virginia gentleman rather than an American or nationalist.
Hatzenbuehler wrote "I Tremble for My Country" for readers who had an interest in early American history. He looks forward to his visit to the Wood River Valley because of the intellectual curiosity of the residents and his admiration for the Community Library and its collection.
“I Tremble for My Country: Thomas Jefferson and the Virginia Gentry” by Ronald L. Hatzenbuehler. University Press of Florida. $55. 224pp.
