39 pages • 1 hour read
Thomas JeffersonNotes on the State of Virginia
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1785A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson, written in response to 23 queries from François Barbé-Marbois, provides in-depth information on various aspects of Virginia's landscape, climate, commerce, laws, institutions, and people. Jefferson describes the state's geography, agricultural products, militia, navy, Indigenous American tribes, and enslaved African Americans. The book also addresses Virginia's constitution, laws, religion, education, infrastructure, manufacturing, commerce, and historical records. The book includes racist assertions about Black people and discussions on slavery.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Thomas Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia provides a foundational look at early American thought, blending natural history, political theory, and social discourse. Praised for its insightful commentary and thorough research, it also faces criticism for its outdated and controversial views on race and slavery, reflecting Jefferson's complex legacy.
Who Should Read Notes on the State of Virginia?
A reader captivated by early American history, political philosophy, and Enlightenment thought will relish Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson. Comparable to those who appreciate The Federalist Papers or Common Sense, they value insight into 18th-century perspectives on governance, society, and science.
344
Book • Nonfiction
Virginia • 1780s
1785
Adult
18+ years
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