The focus of this book is the friendship between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the decline of that friendship, and its recurrence due to the efforts of Dr. Benjamin Rush after Jefferson's presidency ended.The book reads well and is to the point. Other books, of course, have dealt, in one way or another, with the friendship explored here.
But that is the focus of this work--not one part of a longer work on Jefferson or Adams. They came to know one another as the colonies' relationship with British Empire began to worsen dramatically. They worked together in the Continental Congress and served on the committee to draft a rationale for breaking ties with the Empire and declaring independence.
Their friendship deepened as they served abroad in a diplomatic assignment. Too, Abigail Adams, John's wife, became friends with Jefferson--who reciprocated. However, as the book details, politics undid the friendship. Jefferson became skeptical of Washington's presidency (and especially Cabinet members such as Alexander Hamilton). When Adams was elected to follow Washington--with Jefferson serving as Vice President--their friendship was undermined. When Jefferson assumed the presidency, there was no rapprochement between the two. After Jefferson left the presidency, a mutual friend--Dr. Benjamin Rush--strove to ignite a renewal of their friendship. He succeeded quite well. From that point to the ends of their lives (on the same day--July 4), their friendship was renewed and their correspondence dealt with a wide array of issues.
A fine book on an important American friendship. . . .
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