paul_cloutier 's review for:

The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams by

5.0

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Fascinating, in-depth, and compelling. Loads and loads of correspondence between two of the most important of the founding fathers. Their letters in the 18th century are interesting but sort of practical and perfunctory, and then their estrangement after their vitriolic presidential campaigns concluding with the heart of their correspondence after their reconciliation which covers the most rich and intellectually stimulating letters. Their more philosophical stuff towards the end is decidedly the most important (esp. right now), but the reconciliation is also extremely interesting showing the almost tragicomic process of a friendship deteriorating, and the herculean effort required to patch things up. All in all very worth while read.