Sworn on the Altar of God: A Religious Biography of Thomas Jefferson (Library of Religious Biography)
This timely reminder of Jefferson's lifelong commitment to religious liberty is also a clearly written account of the origins and context of the commitment. At the same time, it is a rich introduction to Jefferson's life and work, with some attention to the contradictions that abounded in the life of a champion of liberty who was also a southern slaveholder. Gaustad's concluding quotation from an early biographer of Jefferson is a good summary of the importance of his subject: "If Jefferson was wrong, America is wrong." This book is a valuable contribution to reflection on both possibilities.Steve Schroeder