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Search - Friends Divided: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson

Friends Divided John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
Author: Gordon S. Wood

A New York Times Book Review Notable Book of 2017 — From the great historian of the American Revolution, New York Times-bestselling and Pulitzer-winning Gordon Wood, comes a majestic dual biography of two of America's most enduringly fascinating figures, whose partnership helped birth a nation, and whose subsequent falling out did much to fix its... more » course.

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams could scarcely have come from more different worlds, or been more different in temperament. Jefferson, the optimist with enough faith in the innate goodness of his fellow man to be democracy's champion, was an aristocratic Southern slaveowner, while Adams, the overachiever from New England's rising middling classes, painfully aware he was no aristocrat, was a skeptic about popular rule and a defender of a more elitist view of government. They worked closely in the crucible of revolution, crafting the Declaration of Independence and leading, with Franklin, the diplomatic effort that brought France into the fight. But ultimately, their profound differences would lead to a fundamental crisis, in their friendship and in the nation writ large, as they became the figureheads of two entirely new forces, the first American political parties. It was a bitter breach, lasting through the presidential administrations of both men, and beyond.

But late in life, something remarkable happened: these two men were nudged into reconciliation. What started as a grudging trickle of correspondence became a great flood, and a friendship was rekindled, over the course of hundreds of letters. In their final years they were the last surviving founding fathers and cherished their role in this mighty young republic as it approached the half century mark in 1826. At last, on the afternoon of July 4th, 50 years to the day after the signing of the Declaration, Adams let out a sigh and said, "At least Jefferson still lives." He died soon thereafter. In fact, a few hours earlier on that same day, far to the south in his home in Monticello, Jefferson died as well.

Arguably no relationship in this country's history carries as much freight as that of John Adams of Massachusetts and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. Gordon Wood has more than done justice to these entwined lives and their meaning; he has written a magnificent new addition to America's collective story.

ISBN-13: 9780735224735
ISBN-10: 0735224730
Publication Date: 10/23/2018
Pages: 512
Edition: Reprint
Rating:

Currently 4/5 Stars.

4 stars, based on 2 ratings

Publisher: Penguin Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

Genres:

Biographies & Memoirs >> Historical >> United States
Biographies & Memoirs >> Leaders & Notable People >> Political
Biographies & Memoirs >> Leaders & Notable People >> Military >> American Revolution
History >> Americas >> United States >> Revolution & Founding
History >> Americas >> United States >> State & Local
Politics & Social Sciences >> Politics & Government >> Political Science
Politics & Social Sciences >> Politics & Government >> United States

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Search - Friends Divided: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson

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