

Episode 4: Industry with Thomas Jefferson’s Reading List
Sep 30, 2025
Eric Slauter, a professor and expert on 18th-century literature, and Ken Burns, the acclaimed documentary filmmaker, dive into Thomas Jefferson’s curated reading list from 1771. They discuss how Jefferson viewed deep reading as critical for happiness and self-improvement. Slauter shares insights on how students engage with rare books to understand historical reading practices. Burns highlights the importance of lifelong learning and the storied friendship between Adams and Jefferson, linking their industrious lives to broader themes of virtue and creative growth.
28:36
Jefferson’s 148-Book Library List
- Jefferson wrote a letter to Robert Skipwith listing about 150 works for a gentleman's library.
- Eric Slauter explains Jefferson often created such extensive reading lists for friends and family.
Read Books In Their Historical Mindset
- Knowing what founders read reveals how they might have made intellectual connections.
- You must set aside modern interpretations to enter their eighteenth-century mental world.
A Curated Blend Of Old And New
- Jefferson's list balanced fine arts, recent translations, and classical epics to cultivate taste and virtue.
- He prized newer translations and contemporary works alongside ancient authors.
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Intro
00:00 • 1min
Jefferson's 1771 Reading List and Its Purpose
01:06 • 48sec
Defining Industry as Self-Perfection
01:54 • 34sec
Context of Jefferson's Letter to Robert Skipwith
02:28 • 1min
How Students Engage with 18th-Century Books
03:46 • 1min
Structure and Surprises in Jefferson's Selection
05:15 • 2min
Literature Jefferson Cherished and Personal Attachments
06:51 • 1min
Enlightenment Works, Religion, and the Bible's Placement
07:54 • 2min
Accessible Translations for Skipwith
09:25 • 1min
The Rarity and Cost of Enlightenment Books in America
10:40 • 58sec
Reading as a Path to Virtue
11:38 • 41sec
Jefferson's Prescribed Reading Schedule and Its Demands
12:18 • 48sec
What Did Jefferson Advise for a Daily Routine?
13:06 • 33sec
Personal Impact of Deep Reading Habits
13:39 • 18sec
Are the Founders Hypocrites on Virtue and Slavery?
13:56 • 2min
Franklin's Self-Improvement and the Idea of Amendment
15:51 • 1min
Experiencing Jefferson's Books in a Rare Books Library
16:56 • 47sec
National Constitution Center Resources and Civic Toolkit
17:43 • 21sec
Conversation with Ken Burns on Mindful Time Use
18:03 • 1min
Adams, Jefferson, and the Value of Lifelong Learning
19:31 • 53sec
Adams and Jefferson: Friendship, Rivalry, Reconciliation
20:24 • 55sec
Leonardo and the Power of Blending Traditions
21:19 • 1min
Final Friendship and July 4th Connection
22:41 • 1min
Founders' Financial Failures Versus Industry Ideal
24:00 • 30sec
Industry as the Only Controllable Virtue
24:30 • 22sec
Musical Interlude: Industry Alone
24:52 • 2min
Outro
27:19 • 2min
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Observations on modern gardening
illustrated by descriptions

Thomas Paine

Thomas Waddley
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A Sentimental Journey to France and Italy

Lawrence Stern
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy is a travelogue by Laurence Sterne, published in 1768, that follows the journey of Yorick, a parson, through France and Italy.
The book explores themes of sentimentality, human connection, and the subjective experience of travel.
Unlike traditional travel narratives, it focuses on personal encounters and emotional responses rather than factual details.
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Two Treatises

John Locke
Two Treatises of Government is a work of political philosophy published anonymously in 1689 by John Locke.
The First Treatise refutes the divine right of kings, while the Second Treatise outlines Locke's ideas about natural rights, the social contract, and the right to revolution.
Locke's work had a profound influence on the development of liberal political thought.
#3467
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
The Pursuit of Liberty
How Hamilton versus Jefferson Ignited the Lasting Battle Over Power in America


David French
This book delves into the foundational debates between Hamilton and Jefferson, highlighting how their differing visions for America have shaped the country's political landscape.
It explores the lasting implications of their rivalry on American governance and society.
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Telemachus

Fenelon
#
Experiments and observations on electricity


Benjamin Franklin
is_known_book

#
Paradise Regained

John Milton
Paradise Regained is a poetic work written by John Milton, first published in 1671.
It serves as a sequel to his earlier work, 'Paradise Lost', and centers on the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness as recounted in the Gospel of Luke.
The poem, divided into four books, depicts the intense dialogue between Jesus and Satan, where Jesus resists various temptations presented by Satan, emphasizing his unwavering obedience and spiritual strength.
The work explores themes of Christian heroism, defined by enduring faith in God and spiritual perseverance, and contrasts with classical notions of heroism by focusing on moral courage rather than physical strength.
Milton composed this 'brief epic' of 2,065 lines, using blank verse and theological themes similar to those in 'Paradise Lost'.
#34584
Xenophon's Memoirs of Socrates

Sarah Fielding

Xenophon

#3708
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
Tristram Shandy


Laurence Sterne

#181
• Mentioned in 84 episodes
Paradise Lost

John Milton
Published in 1667, 'Paradise Lost' is an epic poem in blank verse that follows the biblical story of the Fall of Man. The poem begins in medias res, detailing the descent of Satan and his followers into Hell after their rebellion against God. It explores two main narrative arcs: one focusing on Satan's actions and the other on Adam and Eve's story in the Garden of Eden.
The poem delves into themes such as free will, obedience, revenge, and pride, and it portrays the complex characters of Satan, Adam, and Eve. Milton's work is known for its rich language, classical structure, and profound theological and philosophical insights.

#9583
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Tom Jones


Henry Fielding
#11286
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Adam Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments


Adam Smith

#5623
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
Virgil
Aeneid VIII


Virgil


Keith Maclennan
This book provides a detailed commentary on Book VIII of the Aeneid, highlighting its significance in the mythological foundation of Rome and its political implications for the Augustan regime.
It includes discussions on style, meter, and reception, making it suitable for students and scholars alike.
#20417
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Spirit of Law
1748


Montesquieu
Montesquieu's 'The Spirit of Law' is a foundational work in political theory, advocating for the separation of powers.
Published in 1748, the book analyzes different forms of government, emphasizing the importance of checks and balances.
Montesquieu argues that dividing governmental authority among separate branches prevents tyranny and protects individual liberties.
The Spirit of Law was influential in the development of constitutional governments, particularly in Great Britain and the American colonies.
The Founding Fathers of the United States drew upon Montesquieu's ideas when drafting the U.S.
Constitution, incorporating the principle of separation of powers into the framework of American governance.

#156
• Mentioned in 97 episodes
The Iliad

Homer
The Iliad is an epic poem attributed to Homer, set during the Trojan War. It begins in the ninth year of the war, where a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles sets off a chain of events.
The poem explores themes of heroism, honor, and fate as it describes the battles and interactions between Greek warriors like Achilles, Diomedes, and Odysseus, and Trojan warriors like Hector and Paris.
The story is interspersed with divine interventions from Greek gods and goddesses, influencing the outcome of the war.
The poem culminates with Achilles' reconciliation with Agamemnon and his subsequent rage against the Trojans, leading to the death of Hector and the eventual funeral rites for Patroclus and Hector.

#77
• Mentioned in 146 episodes
The Odyssey

Homer
The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges.
Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage.
With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne.
The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.
In 1771, Thomas Jefferson sent his friend Robert Skipwith a curated reading list. In this episode, Jeffrey Rosen, with the help of scholar Eric Slauter and Ken Burns, dives into Jefferson’s recommendations and the importance of deep daily reading.
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