Listening to America

We speak with President Jefferson about his "Circular to the Heads of Departments," a memo he wrote dated November 6, 1801 which provides insight into Jefferson's governing style. He refers to his cabinet as one of the most harmonious in history, and he closes his letter by writing, "If I had the Universe to choose from, I could not change one of my associates to my better satisfaction." You can o...

The noted author and historian Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky joins Clay Jenkinson this week for a discussion about the Enlightenment. Together they try to answer the question whether or not it is a self correcting mechanism that will lead us into greater human rights and progress, or is it now in jeopardy in the midst of the explosion of human knowledge. You can order Clay's new book at  Amazon ,  Target...

When reading Thomas Jefferson's correspondence, one often sees examples of his belief that the less government, the better. In this week's episode, President Thomas Jefferson discusses the writing of the Constitution and comments on The Journal of the Federal Convention by James Madison. Jefferson wrote, "it may be proved that no society can make a perpetual constitution, or even a perpetual law....

Clay Jenkinson is once again joined by the author and historian Joseph Ellis for a program of answering listener questions, including one on Jefferson's fascination with the wooly mammoth. The primary discussion centers on voting rights during Jefferson's time and ours. You can order Clay's new book at  Amazon ,  Target ,  Barnes and Noble , or by contacting your independent bookstore.  The Langua...

Clay answers listener questions and discusses the photographer Edward Curtis, and David shares a bit of a poem sent to us by Jack Preston, a 94-year-old gardener. You can order Clay's new book at  Amazon ,  Target ,  Barnes and Noble , or by contacting your independent bookstore.  The Language of Cottonwoods  is out now through  Koehler Books . Mentioned on this episode: The North American Indian...

Jefferson answers listener questions about his classification systems, and Monticello's gardens and water supply. Jefferson offers advice to a young woman who is trying to be a "good student of liberty." He tells her that "liberty is written in your heart." You can order Clay's new book at  Amazon ,  Target ,  Barnes and Noble , or by contacting your independent bookstore.  The Language of Cottonw...

Thomas Paine wrote a bestselling pamphlet, became derided by Americans for his alleged atheism, and was almost killed during the French Revolution. Lindsay Chervinsky joins us to discuss Paine's fascinating life. You can order Clay's new book at  Amazon ,  Target ,  Barnes and Noble , or by contacting your independent bookstore.  The Language of Cottonwoods  is out now through  Koehler Books . Men...

This week, we're replaying a conversation from January 2018 about the peaceful transition of power in our American system of government. In this episode, Jefferson says that it's important to acknowledge that government power originates with the people, and not from any individual or party. You can order Clay's new book at  Amazon ,  Target ,  Barnes and Noble , or by contacting your independent b...

We welcome back the noted author and historian Joseph Ellis this week to join with Clay Jenkinson and respond to the many questions we received from listeners generated by our annual Independence Day show. You can order Clay's new book at  Amazon ,  Target ,  Barnes and Noble , or by contacting your independent bookstore.  The Language of Cottonwoods  is out now through  Koehler Books . Mentioned...

Clay Jenkinson recently lead a conference for the Smithsonian that introduced attendees to the Lewis and Clark expedition. The lecture was brimming with questions, so many that there was not enough time to answer all of them. This week, we try to finish that task and answer those extra questions about Lewis and Clark. You can order Clay's new book at  Amazon ,  Target ,  Barnes and Noble , or by c...

We welcome back the scholar and author Lindsay Chervinsky to discuss her recent piece about Presidents and their technology. The conversation covers the use of social media now and then, and she and Clay Jenkinson rate which one the early founding fathers might have been good follows on Twitter. You can order Clay's new book at  Amazon ,  Target ,  Barnes and Noble , or by contacting your independ...

Prompted by a listener request, we speak with President Jefferson about gardening and his love of plants. Thomas Jefferson once said, "No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, no culture comparable to that of the garden ... But though an old man, I am but a young gardener." You can order Clay's new book at  Amazon ,  Target ,  Barnes and Noble , or by contacting your indep...

This week the annual Thomas Jefferson Hour Independence Day show with Clay Jenkinson and Joseph Ellis. Ellis makes the case that John Adams was right in his belief that Independence Day should be celebrated on July 2nd, the day congress voted on the matter, but both agree that due to the simultaneous deaths of Adams and Jefferson on July 4th, that date will forever stand. They also discuss parts o...

This week, a discussion with President Thomas Jefferson about the American narrative. The conversation was prompted by an article in the Atlantic magazine by George Packer titled "How America Fractured into Four Parts." Jefferson shares his optimism about America's future and explains the fractured American narrative during his own time. You can order Clay's new book at Amazon ,  Target ,  Barnes...

We're pleased to welcome back the noted author and historian Lindsay M. Chervinsky. She and Clay discuss how Washington, D.C. became a constitutionally created "federal reserve" and the nation's capital city, and also the ongoing efforts to make it our 51st state. You can pre-order Clay's new book at  Amazon ,  Target ,  Barnes and Noble , or by contacting your independent bookstore.  The Language...

Clay Jenkinson is once again joined by the author and historian Joseph Ellis for a program answering listener questions, including inquiries about the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson's marriage, Jefferson's relationship with Napoleon, and the Louisiana Purchase. You can pre-order Clay's new book at  Amazon ,  Target ,  Barnes and Noble , or by contacting your independe...

President Jefferson answers listener questions including comments about American views of British monarchy, Jefferson's thoughts on the work of Edmund Burke, and the importance of Enlightenment thinking in the formation of America. In the last segment of this week's episode, Clay and David are joined by Michael Khandelwal of The Muse Writers Center . You can pre-order Clay's new book at  Amazon , ...

This week, an interview with Clay S. Jenkinson about his new book, The Language of Cottonwoods . You can pre-order Clay's new book at Amazon , Target , Barnes and Noble , or by contacting your independent bookstore.  The Language of Cottonwoods is out on June 22, 2021 through Koehler Books . Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Support the show by joining the  1776 Clu...

We are joined this week by the noted author and historian Lindsay M. Chervinsky. She and Clay S. Jenkinson have a lively and insightful discussion about the often strained relations between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. You can find Dr. Chervinsky's website and newsletter here: https://www.lindsaychervinsky.com/ Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Support th...

Clay answers listener questions, including inquiries about Jefferson and infrastructure, and about books mentioned on the show. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Support the show by joining the  1776 Club  or by  donating  to the Thomas Jefferson Hour, Inc. You can learn more about Clay's cultural tours and retreats at  jeffersonhour.com/tours . Check out our  new m...

In this episode we speak with President Jefferson about American immigration policy during his time and ours, as well as the requirements to gain citizenship. Jefferson describes the discriminatory policies of his time, and then agrees to answer some of the 100 test questions immigrants must correctly answer to gain citizenship in 2021. Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the bl...

We are joined this week by the author and historian Professor Joseph Ellis. He and Clay have an in-depth discussion about the Founding Fathers and their willing participation in the enslavement of people. Read about Clay's upcoming online courses here:  https://jeffersonhour.com/onlinecourse Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Support the show by joining the  1776 Clu...

This week we talk with President Jefferson about the British point of view of rebellion in America which eventually led to the Revolutionary War. The conversation begins and ends with Jefferson's thoughts on Benjamin Franklin, who had been an anglophile hoping for peace between the two nations, but ended up as a leading voice for American independence. Read about Clay's upcoming online courses her...

Clay Jenkinson is joined this week by author Joseph Ellis for a lively discussion about popular American conspiracy theories and gun rights in America. In 1785, Thomas Jefferson wrote to his fifteen-year-old nephew, Peter Carr, about what he considered the best form of exercise, "I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to...

We wish President Thomas Jefferson a happy 278th birthday this week and discuss possible gifts for him: books and wine. Jefferson also speaks about his vision for America. Read about Clay's upcoming online courses here:  https://jeffersonhour.com/onlinecourse Find this episode, along with recommended reading,  on the blog . Support the show by joining the  1776 Club  or by  donating  to the Thomas...