Adams vs. Jefferson

The Tumultuous Election of 1800

By: John Ferling

Narrated by: Jack Garrett

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Award-winning author John Ferling is a leading authority on the American Revolution. His entertaining and enlightening histories have greatly improved our understanding of early America and the Founding Fathers. Now Ferling opens a window to the past and explores the contentious presidential election of 1800.

Once close friends, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson became bitter rivals as they fought for control of the young government. In a no-holds-barred brawl, both camps used any and all methods to sway voters. There was mudslinging, name-calling, and backstabbing. After a stalemate in the Electoral College, balloting went on for days and nights. Friendships were crushed, promises were broken, civil war was threatened. In the end, a shady deal gave Jefferson the presidency, and America would never be the same.

Considering the turmoil of the modern era, Adams vs. Jefferson is a timely book through which we can better understand the antagonistic atmosphere of contemporary politics.

The “Pivotal Moments in American History” series seeks to unite the old and the new history, combining the insights and techniques of recent historiography with the power of traditional narrative. Each title has a strong narrative arc with drama, irony, suspense, and – most importantly – great characters who embody the human dimension of historical events. The general editors of “Pivotal Moments” are not just historians; they are popular writers themselves, and, in two cases, Pulitzer Prize winners: David Hackett Fischer, James M. McPherson, and David Greenberg. We hope you like your American History served up with verve, wit, and an eye for the telling detail!

Listen to John Ferling talk about this book on the October 3, 2004, edition of Booknotes.

©2004 John Ferling (P)2004 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Ferling richly presents the twists and turns of the election, as well as a vivid portrait of a struggling new nation and the bruising political battles of our now revered founding fathers." (Publishers Weekly)

The Federalists vs. Republicans

This is the best treatment I have read of the differences that developed our country's first political parties and what the real issues were behind all of the rhetoric and name calling. It was difficult for me to understand Jefferson's position prior to this book. Now I know why he won the election and was elected for a second term so easily. It is an excellent book. Both presidents are treated fairly. I only wish the author had explored and written more about the correspondence of these two giants after their presidencies. Our nation is indebted to these two men and their unique contributions to our republic.

Jefferson's Point of View

I was disappointed by this book's uneven treatment of the Federalist and the Republicans. After recently reading biographies of Washington, Adams and Hamilton, it was difficult to beleve that this book was referring to the same men or the same historical episodes. It was good to listen to Jefferson's and the other Republican's point of view, but I did get tired of hearing the same critisim of the Federalists over and over and over again. If you do listen to this book you should also listen to the recent biographies of Adams and Hamilton to obtain the alternative points of view.

pretty good

This book is rather Pro-Jefferson but not real bad. At some points it is a little shaky on historical ground. If you are only going to read one book on this period this should not be that book but if you are going to read several make this one about the 5th or 6th.

An excellent and compelling story

Would you consider the audio edition of Adams vs. Jefferson to be better than the print version?

I dont know, I have not read the print version, the audio version is excellent though

What did you like best about this story?

I love the way the beginning of party politics and electioneering, something that has never ceased since begins to come into play and we see how it all started. The common misconception that our founders live in a harmonious bliss where they all agreed on all things in obviously a myth, but one many people today believe in. This book is the perfect illustration of how that is not the case and how it all began. I thought the story was great and the book was compelling. i found myself looking forward to the next time I could listen.

Have you listened to any of Jack Garrett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No,

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

The story is written in a flow that leaves you wanting to listen to more. If you love politics, history and the inside baseball of Washington then and now you will love this book, I do and I did.

Enjoyable, learned a lot of history!

The story was excellent. I felt the performance was a little flat and pedantic. Learned a lot about the times and Adams and Jefferson (and Hamiliton and Burr).

informative and moving

Detailed and descriptive with many facts and some speculations, the story of the election of 1800 is so important yet so distant. The author does a wonderful job of telling much of the back story of the main players including details - good and bad - complimentary and disturbing.
Much of what we take for granted in America's governance was not solidified before Jefferson's Presidency and this story speaks to that in a way that informed and moved me. The epilog had me in tears.
Highly recommended.

Interesting but titled to Jefferson

Story covers a lot of ground and is extremely interesting. However I was hoping for more of the details of the dirty campaign of 1800 and more detail of their post retirement correspondence. Well worth the listen.

Outstanding Title

This was a fascinating presentation not only for showing that the Founding Fathers weren't a monolithic group, but also in how little our politics have changed. Issues such as Religion, civil liberties, war, and the role of the federal vs. the state government. Many of the same things we argue over today were being argued over at the time. Rather than 24-hour news channels, though, they had pamphlets and letters to do their work. Sometimes, they attacked more personally and with greater ferocity than we do today.

The book is a bit one-sided - leaning more towards Jefferson's side and against the "ultra-Federalists" (which sometimes sounds an awful lot like today's media saying "extreme right wing"). However, you will find yourself chuckling as you hear many of the same arguments that still come from politicians today. It really does make some of our modern arguments seem petty when you realize it's nothing especially new.

A fine book overall.

Fantastic story!!

I have a new found fascination with the Revolutionary War period in American history and this book delivered. So many interesting characters and lives to read more about.

A little too Jeffersonian

Interesting and informative, but passed over Jefferson's faults too easily. Ferling concludes that the election of 1800 was about liberty (Jefferson and the Republicans) vs. oligarchy (Adams, Hamilton and the Federalists). This is a little simplistic in my view--there was certainly a more moderate strain of Federalism, represented by Adams, which was not the usurper of 1776 liberty represented by Jefferson. I think Ferling comes to a lazy black and white conclusion. But I enjoyed the book.