"American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson" by Joseph J. Ellis offers a nuanced portrait of one of America's founding fathers. The book delves into Jefferson's complex character, exploring both his accomplishments and contradictions. Ellis highlights Jefferson's pivotal role in drafting the Declaration of Independence while also confronting his failure to address slavery, an issue that loomed over his legacy.
Ellis emphasizes Jefferson's contradictions, such as his advocacy for liberty and equality alongside his ownership of enslaved people. This duality presents Jefferson as both a champion of freedom and a figure entangled in the very systems of oppression he opposed. This tension raises questions about his moral integrity and the impact of his beliefs on American values.