Jefferson and Hamilton

The Rivalry That Forged a Nation

By: John Ferling

Narrated by: Bo Foxworth

Length: 18 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

For readers of Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton, the spellbinding history of the epic rivalry that shaped our republic: Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and their competing visions for America.

The decade of the 1790s has been called the “age of passion.” Fervor ran high as rival factions battled over the course of the new republic-each side convinced that the other's goals would betray the legacy of the Revolution so recently fought and so dearly won. All understood as well that what was at stake was not a moment's political advantage, but the future course of the American experiment in democracy. In this epochal debate, no two figures loomed larger than Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.

Both men were visionaries, but their visions of what the United States should be were diametrically opposed. Jefferson, a true revolutionary, believed passionately in individual liberty and a more egalitarian society, with a weak central government and greater powers for the states. Hamilton, a brilliant organizer and tactician, feared chaos and social disorder. He sought to build a powerful national government that could ensure the young nation's security and drive it toward economic greatness.

Jefferson and Hamilton is the story of the fierce struggle—both public and, ultimately, bitterly personal—between these two titans. It ended only with the death of Hamilton in a pistol duel, felled by Aaron Burr, Jefferson's vice president. Their competing legacies, like the twin strands of DNA, continue to shape our country to this day. Their personalities, their passions, and their bold dreams for America leap from the page in this epic new work from one of our finest historians.

From the award-winning author of Almost a Miracle and The Ascent of George Washington, this is the rare work of scholarship that offers us irresistible human drama even as it enriches our understanding of deep themes in our nation's history.

©2013 John Ferling (P)2021 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Critic reviews

"With moments of exciting clarity, Ferling's account of two of the most famous American revolutionaries offers gossip, intrigue, and a window into their heated and turbulent relationship.... As personalities clash and egos are wounded, Ferling gives readers a chance to rediscover the birth of the United States through the characters who helped craft its most vital institutions." (Publishers Weekly)

"From hammering out constitutional liberties and building the nation's banking system to jockeying in early elections. Ferling draws crisp, sharp delineations between his two subjects." (Kirkus Reviews)

Brilliant

What a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant book. And beautifully narrated. Regarding the reviewers speaking of biases, they reveal their own. Ferling depicted the strengths and weaknesses of both men fairly. This is a triumph, and I intend to read all of Ferling.

A Bias toward TJ

Generally an excellent book but I think AH is portrayed as brilliant, manipulating, cunning, egotistical and controlling. The author questions AH’s contributions to the creation of our economic system. He claims it may have been inevitable with or without him.
Understand that most of our contemporary historians present a liberally slanted view of our past leaders. This is still an excellent book

Biased and low quality

First of all, it felt quite biased…I believe the author even admitted that when he started writing it, he was fairly biased, but that he learned a lot about Hamilton. Secondly…the narrator. Oh my. I’m not sure if they switched in the middle or what, but there were sooo many lapses and different voices at times. It was not very good.