Jefferson's Body: A Corporeal Biography by Maurizio Valsania

Jefferson's Body: A Corporeal Biography by Maurizio Valsania explores Thomas Jefferson's role as a central figure in shaping America's civic culture through his engagement with the body politic. The study examines Jefferson's interest in various bodies—male, female, laboring, and racialized—and how these influenced his vision of democracy, equality, and natural rights. It highlights Jefferson's use of pantaloons as an anti-aristocratic symbol, reflecting his commitment to bourgeois modernity and self-governing masculinity. However, the analysis is criticized for not fully developing its arguments on fashion, labor dynamics, and the tension between enlightenment thought and racism in Jefferson's philosophy. The book also touches on Jefferson's ambivalence toward slavery, suggesting a shift from fear of its corrupting influence to a disciplined regime inspired by Jeremy Bentham's panopticon. While the study offers intriguing insights, it is noted for its undertheorized approach and missed opportunities to integrate broader transatlantic political philosophies.

Zakim, M. (2018). Jefferson’s Body: A Corporeal Biography by Maurizio Valsania. Journal of Southern History, 84(3), 715–717. https://doi.org/10.1353/soh.2018.0179