Book Launch: "Master of the Mountain: Thomas Jefferson and His Slaves"

Book Launch: Master of the Mountain: Thomas Jefferson and His Slaves

Based on information coming from archaeological work at Monticello and evidence in Thomas Jefferson’s papers, Henry Wiencek explores the ways in which America’s third president adapted, modernized, industrialized, and invested in slavery in the 1790s. Though Jefferson often spoke against slavery, Wiencek argues that economic reasons drove Jefferson to perpetuate slavery, and shows that when we examine Jefferson’s actions, he perpetuated the institution of slavery at Monticello and on a national scale.

Henry Wiencek is a nationally prominent historian, and he is the author of several books, including The Hairstons: An American Family in Black and White, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1999. Wiencek also authored An Imperfect God (FSG, 2003), which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. He lives with his wife and son in Charlottesville, Virginia.

October 18th, 4-5pm

Reading Room of the Jefferson library; book selling and signing afterwards.

Registration for this book launch is no longer available.