What do you think?
Rate this book
The Addams-Jefferson Letters the Complete Correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams. Volumes I & II; Complete 2 Volume Set.
The correspondence between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson embraces government, philosophy, religion, quotidiana, and family griefs and joys. It begins in 1777, ceases in 1801 after Jefferson's defeat of Adams for the presidency, resumes in 1812, and continues until the death of both in 1826.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1959
159 people are currently reading
2894 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 23, 2012
There are only a few people in the world today who have both patience and the inclination to read 600 pages worth of 200-year-old letters. If you are one of these people, do yourself a favor and read this book now. If you are not one of these people, try really really hard to become one of these people and read this book now. And if you can't possibly imagine ever being the kind of person who reads this kind of book, then do the rest of us a favor and don't go all over the Internet popping off about what "The Founding Fathers" believed about stuff based on something that you heard on the radio. Because it is probably a lot more complicated than that.
Lester J. Cappon's Adams-Jefferson letters were first published in two expensive, hardbound volumes in 1959. Cappon was a historian and professional archivist who worked with these documents all of his life, and his edition is a model of good scholarship: it is thorough, it footnotes nearly everything that the modern reader would have trouble with, and it situates the letters in their historical context with 13 excellent, succinct section introductions to various series of correspondence. In 1988, the University of North Carolina Press did us all a favor and published a complete, one-volume paperbound edition of the letters.
The letters themselves trace all extant correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and both John and Abigail Adams beginning in 1777, the year after both men worked on the drafting committee for the Declaration of Independence, up until 1826, when both men died, within five hours of each other, on July 4, on the 50-year anniversary of the document in which they both pledged "[their] lives, [their] fortunes, and [their] sacred honor." From the very beginning, these letters give us a view of America's founding by two of the people who had the most to do with it. Letters between Jefferson and Abigail Adams (along with John) begin after the Jeffersons and the Adamses served together as America's minister to France in 1784.
In 1800, Adams and Jefferson were on opposite sides of one of the most contentious presidential elections in American history. Adams, a Federalist, stood for strong military preparation, a powerful federal judiciary, and an effectively pro-British foreign policy (though it was Adams, against the wishes of his own party, who secured peace with France in 1800). Jefferson, the leader of the emerging Republican Party (no relation), stood for stronger ties with France, a weak judiciary, and the abolition of standing armies and navies. The two sides savaged each other, and each other's standard-bearers, and Jefferson and Adams stopped communicating with each other. From 1796 through 1812, all we get are a few very formal letters between the two of them around the time that Jefferson was moving into Adams' house (The White House).
And then, in 1812, something remarkable happened. Through the agency of friends, Jefferson and Adams began corresponding again. And, over the next 13 years, they exchanged almost 60 letters about the past, the present, religion, politics, books, France, England, slavery, Native American culture, and, well, everything else. This is one of the most remarkable stories of reconciliation in our history and proof that severe political differences do not have to be an absolute bar to respect, civility, and friendship.
There are so many people talking and writing about history these days. But history itself has never been as available and accessible as these letters make the early days of America. Instead of reading other people's books about the Founding Fathers (including mine), take the time to read what they actually had to say for themselves. Really. You won't be sorry.
Michael Austin, author
That's Not What They Meant!: Reclaiming the Founding Fathers from America's Right Wing
Lester J. Cappon's Adams-Jefferson letters were first published in two expensive, hardbound volumes in 1959. Cappon was a historian and professional archivist who worked with these documents all of his life, and his edition is a model of good scholarship: it is thorough, it footnotes nearly everything that the modern reader would have trouble with, and it situates the letters in their historical context with 13 excellent, succinct section introductions to various series of correspondence. In 1988, the University of North Carolina Press did us all a favor and published a complete, one-volume paperbound edition of the letters.
The letters themselves trace all extant correspondence between Thomas Jefferson and both John and Abigail Adams beginning in 1777, the year after both men worked on the drafting committee for the Declaration of Independence, up until 1826, when both men died, within five hours of each other, on July 4, on the 50-year anniversary of the document in which they both pledged "[their] lives, [their] fortunes, and [their] sacred honor." From the very beginning, these letters give us a view of America's founding by two of the people who had the most to do with it. Letters between Jefferson and Abigail Adams (along with John) begin after the Jeffersons and the Adamses served together as America's minister to France in 1784.
In 1800, Adams and Jefferson were on opposite sides of one of the most contentious presidential elections in American history. Adams, a Federalist, stood for strong military preparation, a powerful federal judiciary, and an effectively pro-British foreign policy (though it was Adams, against the wishes of his own party, who secured peace with France in 1800). Jefferson, the leader of the emerging Republican Party (no relation), stood for stronger ties with France, a weak judiciary, and the abolition of standing armies and navies. The two sides savaged each other, and each other's standard-bearers, and Jefferson and Adams stopped communicating with each other. From 1796 through 1812, all we get are a few very formal letters between the two of them around the time that Jefferson was moving into Adams' house (The White House).
And then, in 1812, something remarkable happened. Through the agency of friends, Jefferson and Adams began corresponding again. And, over the next 13 years, they exchanged almost 60 letters about the past, the present, religion, politics, books, France, England, slavery, Native American culture, and, well, everything else. This is one of the most remarkable stories of reconciliation in our history and proof that severe political differences do not have to be an absolute bar to respect, civility, and friendship.
There are so many people talking and writing about history these days. But history itself has never been as available and accessible as these letters make the early days of America. Instead of reading other people's books about the Founding Fathers (including mine), take the time to read what they actually had to say for themselves. Really. You won't be sorry.
Michael Austin, author
That's Not What They Meant!: Reclaiming the Founding Fathers from America's Right Wing
January 9, 2025
Mid-December was approaching and I had reached my Reading Challenge goal for 2024 with a few books to spare and my TBR shelf was pretty thin. I feared starting the New Year with an empty TBR shelf so until I could get to a bookstore and do some serious shopping I needed an alternative and not reading wasn't it. I resorted to my dustier bookshelves and found this book. Actually this book has been haunting me for years, a lot of years. I admit to being intimidated by the book's size and weight and I could just never bring myself to start reading it. I think my disgust with the character of the incoming president motivated me to pull this tome from the shelf and start reading about a couple of real Americans. Maybe reading about John Adams and Thomas Jefferson would help me forget about what the next 4 years will be like for us. I started reading.
I suppose it would be best to start with the warnings. This book is not for the casual reader of history as this is not a casual book. It is 614 pages of text and about as close to original historical source material as the average reader is likely ever to get. The book contains the letters of two of our Founders, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both of whom were 18th century men. While both of them were probably better educated than most of the Founders you will be surprised at the spelling and punctuation errors, at least errors by 21st century standards. Further, their use of language is very formal which was probably typical of their time. These facts will make reading their letters difficult at times but not impossible. You may have to read things more slowly and more than once to be sure you understand what is being communicated but you can succeed if persistent. Now for the book and its content.
As I stated the book is 614 pages of text and holding it in your lap while reading will probably reduce the circulation in your leg so I recommend an artificial support for the book while reading. The book is organized into 13 chapters but all the letters are in chronological order. The editor begins each chapter with a few pages giving an overview of the letters in the chapter as well as some helpful historical background for the period the letters cover. The first 265 pages are primarily letters written by these two men to each other or to Abigail Adams while they were ambassadors to England and France. These pages can be skipped if you are so inclined as they dealt mostly with negotiating trade relationships, Barbary piracy, and Abigail trading shopping lists with Jefferson in Paris and then the two of them attempting to reconcile the differing coinage in order to determine who owes who and how much. There was also a great deal of discussion about finances of the new republic and their attempts to secure loans to keep the U.S. afloat. These two men were probably to the two hardest working men in American government at this time and singlehandedly kept the lights lit at home and in their embassies.
While I wouldn't blame anybody for skipping those first 265 pages and beginning the book at Chapter 8 I will state what I found interesting there. Adams was 8 years older than Jefferson and Adams had been an early member of the independence movement while Jefferson came later and was a less active member. Yet I was amazed at how closely they worked together during their time in Europe. They were the only two representatives of the U.S. in Europe at this time with Adams assigned to London and Jefferson to Paris. Neither of them did anything without consulting the other and while Jefferson would have willingly deferred to Adams as the senior representative Adams never regarded Jefferson as anything but an equal and reliable partner. Their working relationship was more that of co-ambassadors to Europe instead of individual representatives to specific countries. What made this even more astounding for me was what I knew was going to happen between them in the coming years and why. I have said several times in reviews of other histories involving Jefferson that I consider him our first sleazy president for the way he treated Adams running up to the election of 1800. That treatment and the rupture of this friendship is dealt with and that begins at Chapter 8. Nevertheless, it was disheartening to read how deep their friendship and collegiality went and then imagining how painful the perceived betrayal must have been when it was discovered.
The book also includes letters between Abigail Adams and Jefferson both during the time of their residency in Europe and upon their return home. Chapter 8 is actually one that is exclusively devoted to letters between Abigail and Jefferson and starts in 1804. Abigail learns that Jefferson's youngest daughter Polly had died. Polly was the daughter that traveled to Europe as an 8 year old child in the company of 14 year old Sally Hemings. Polly and Sally first landed in London to await further escort to Paris to join Jefferson. During this period Abigail and Polly became very close and this friendship lasted into Polly's adulthood and marriage. Upon learning of this tragedy Abigail felt, regardless of the ill will she had for Jefferson, that she had to reach out extend her sincere condolences to Jefferson. This led to an exchange of letters in which injuries were revealed, explanations and details discovered and harsh opinions modified. In other words Abigail had no desire to open old wounds but Jefferson crossed the line when he mentioned how personal he took Adams' famous Midnight Judicial Appointments at the end of his term. Abigail laid into him for that and then countered with what injury Jefferson was responsible for to Adams. Jefferson explained that he didn't know what the people he had hired were doing. This is where the sleaze is with Jefferson in my opinion. Jefferson always had others doing his dirty work so he always had plausible deniability. This exchange of letters probably satisfied Abigail but John didn't resume contact with Jefferson until about 1812.
Their mutual friend, Dr. Benjamin Rush, was instrumental in getting these two men to forgive and forget in the interests of history. These two men could not die until they finally understood each other. This understanding was achieved through letters spanning nearly 15 years and covered fields of interest that are both curious and engrossing. I was surprised that current events were generally only mentioned in passing. Their correspondence starts in 1812 but that war is hardly mentioned and neither is the Battle of New Orleans or Andrew Jackson. Napoleon is mentioned as are his two exiles but only as a threat to democratic government and the consequences of tyranny. Most of their letters are about philosophy and religion and later, much later, about the aches and pains of aging and their approaching mortality. Many of the letters go on at length citing references to books that none of the readers are likely to be familiar with. Of course Adams is the big offender in this regard and he is also the more prolific correspondent of the two. Adams probably writes 3 letters to Jefferson's one but Jefferson does respond at length to all of John's. This was a sad section to read as these two giants of our history come to grips with death they quietly bury the hurts experienced in their lives and relish the joys of their families and their friendship and what they achieved for the people of this country. We owe these two men and all the Founders a lot more than we have given them. It's a tough book to read but worth the effort. Enjoy.
I suppose it would be best to start with the warnings. This book is not for the casual reader of history as this is not a casual book. It is 614 pages of text and about as close to original historical source material as the average reader is likely ever to get. The book contains the letters of two of our Founders, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both of whom were 18th century men. While both of them were probably better educated than most of the Founders you will be surprised at the spelling and punctuation errors, at least errors by 21st century standards. Further, their use of language is very formal which was probably typical of their time. These facts will make reading their letters difficult at times but not impossible. You may have to read things more slowly and more than once to be sure you understand what is being communicated but you can succeed if persistent. Now for the book and its content.
As I stated the book is 614 pages of text and holding it in your lap while reading will probably reduce the circulation in your leg so I recommend an artificial support for the book while reading. The book is organized into 13 chapters but all the letters are in chronological order. The editor begins each chapter with a few pages giving an overview of the letters in the chapter as well as some helpful historical background for the period the letters cover. The first 265 pages are primarily letters written by these two men to each other or to Abigail Adams while they were ambassadors to England and France. These pages can be skipped if you are so inclined as they dealt mostly with negotiating trade relationships, Barbary piracy, and Abigail trading shopping lists with Jefferson in Paris and then the two of them attempting to reconcile the differing coinage in order to determine who owes who and how much. There was also a great deal of discussion about finances of the new republic and their attempts to secure loans to keep the U.S. afloat. These two men were probably to the two hardest working men in American government at this time and singlehandedly kept the lights lit at home and in their embassies.
While I wouldn't blame anybody for skipping those first 265 pages and beginning the book at Chapter 8 I will state what I found interesting there. Adams was 8 years older than Jefferson and Adams had been an early member of the independence movement while Jefferson came later and was a less active member. Yet I was amazed at how closely they worked together during their time in Europe. They were the only two representatives of the U.S. in Europe at this time with Adams assigned to London and Jefferson to Paris. Neither of them did anything without consulting the other and while Jefferson would have willingly deferred to Adams as the senior representative Adams never regarded Jefferson as anything but an equal and reliable partner. Their working relationship was more that of co-ambassadors to Europe instead of individual representatives to specific countries. What made this even more astounding for me was what I knew was going to happen between them in the coming years and why. I have said several times in reviews of other histories involving Jefferson that I consider him our first sleazy president for the way he treated Adams running up to the election of 1800. That treatment and the rupture of this friendship is dealt with and that begins at Chapter 8. Nevertheless, it was disheartening to read how deep their friendship and collegiality went and then imagining how painful the perceived betrayal must have been when it was discovered.
The book also includes letters between Abigail Adams and Jefferson both during the time of their residency in Europe and upon their return home. Chapter 8 is actually one that is exclusively devoted to letters between Abigail and Jefferson and starts in 1804. Abigail learns that Jefferson's youngest daughter Polly had died. Polly was the daughter that traveled to Europe as an 8 year old child in the company of 14 year old Sally Hemings. Polly and Sally first landed in London to await further escort to Paris to join Jefferson. During this period Abigail and Polly became very close and this friendship lasted into Polly's adulthood and marriage. Upon learning of this tragedy Abigail felt, regardless of the ill will she had for Jefferson, that she had to reach out extend her sincere condolences to Jefferson. This led to an exchange of letters in which injuries were revealed, explanations and details discovered and harsh opinions modified. In other words Abigail had no desire to open old wounds but Jefferson crossed the line when he mentioned how personal he took Adams' famous Midnight Judicial Appointments at the end of his term. Abigail laid into him for that and then countered with what injury Jefferson was responsible for to Adams. Jefferson explained that he didn't know what the people he had hired were doing. This is where the sleaze is with Jefferson in my opinion. Jefferson always had others doing his dirty work so he always had plausible deniability. This exchange of letters probably satisfied Abigail but John didn't resume contact with Jefferson until about 1812.
Their mutual friend, Dr. Benjamin Rush, was instrumental in getting these two men to forgive and forget in the interests of history. These two men could not die until they finally understood each other. This understanding was achieved through letters spanning nearly 15 years and covered fields of interest that are both curious and engrossing. I was surprised that current events were generally only mentioned in passing. Their correspondence starts in 1812 but that war is hardly mentioned and neither is the Battle of New Orleans or Andrew Jackson. Napoleon is mentioned as are his two exiles but only as a threat to democratic government and the consequences of tyranny. Most of their letters are about philosophy and religion and later, much later, about the aches and pains of aging and their approaching mortality. Many of the letters go on at length citing references to books that none of the readers are likely to be familiar with. Of course Adams is the big offender in this regard and he is also the more prolific correspondent of the two. Adams probably writes 3 letters to Jefferson's one but Jefferson does respond at length to all of John's. This was a sad section to read as these two giants of our history come to grips with death they quietly bury the hurts experienced in their lives and relish the joys of their families and their friendship and what they achieved for the people of this country. We owe these two men and all the Founders a lot more than we have given them. It's a tough book to read but worth the effort. Enjoy.
July 23, 2009
When I started this book, I assumed I would slog through it, and learn some useful things, and get some enjoyment out of reading these Founding Fathers' own words instead of those of historians. I did not expect it would return to my bookshelf as one of the most beloved books there.
The letters delve deep into the expected — the inner workings of a young democracy, the establishment of a fledgling economic power on the world scene. And yes, there are points of mundane bureaucracy, passages about whale oil, salt fish, loans, insurance. Especially in the early years, much of John Adams' and Jefferson's correspondence was taken up with matters of business.
Yet even within these passages, there are delightful gems, and in Jefferson and Abigail Adams' correspondence, there are far more abundant examples of the mutual friendship and admiration between the Adamses and Jefferson. Their personalities emerge, in a different and generally richer way than they do in even the best history books.
As expected, Jefferson's prose stands out. Were there nothing else of value in the collection, it would be worth a read just to see him pepper even the most mundane topics with bits like calling an ambassador a "torpid uninformed machine," much less the longer passages that show his eloquence was not limited to important documents. But while Adams doesn't achieve the same frequent elegance, his letters are filled with reminders that he was an excellent statesman, and right more often than history gave him credit for (although Jefferson does in later letters).
And then there is a lull in the correspondence, where the history books and the useful, concise chapter introductions of this book must fill in the blanks. The Adamses and Jefferson return to the United States. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson become political rivals, candidates in one of the most bitter election campaigns this country has known, leaders for a generation that agreed on independence, but not what to do after independence was won.
For all the highlighter-worthy lines before this point, the greatness comes when John Adams sends a letter and a package after both are retired, initiating a torrent of letters that lasted until the two men died. Their topics range from education to metaphysics to aristocracy, but Adams' and Jefferson's late-in-life correspondence is far more a story about a seemingly impossible reconciliation. Somehow, both men found the capacity to either forgive, or forget, and a willingness to listen.
"You and I ought not to die, before We have explained ourselves to each other," Adams writes. And they do, tiptoeing sometimes, and always explaining, not attempting to convince.
The politics and the history are there in abundance, but to me, this collection of letters is more about a human drama where the cast of characters are some of the most important names in American history. I've read at least one historian that presented the letters as Adams and Jefferson posing for posterity. They were surely aware that these letters might be published someday, but posing for posterity doesn't account for the clear joy both express in having one great mind to converse with, one friend left from the generation of 1776. Scribbling out these letters with aging hands, they long for an hour of conversation, difficult to imagine in our age of cell phones and jet travel.
These letters combine to tell a story about life, but also a story of death. In later years, facing their own mortality, Adams and Jefferson are unafraid of the topic. Religion, the afterlife, the rights of the next generation to take over. By the time I reached the final letters, the impossible timing of their deaths started to seem less impossible, and I found myself glad that neither had to deal with the loss of his dear correspondent.
Not surprisingly, Jefferson sums it up better than I have managed to in this review:
"A letter from you calls up recollections very dear to my mind. It carries me back to the times when, beset with difficulties and dangers, we were fellow laborers in the same cause, struggling for what is most valuable to man, his right of self-government. Laboring always at the same oar, with some wave ever ahead threatening to overwhelm us and yet passing harmless under our bark we knew not how, we rode through the storm with heart and hand, and made a happy port."
The letters delve deep into the expected — the inner workings of a young democracy, the establishment of a fledgling economic power on the world scene. And yes, there are points of mundane bureaucracy, passages about whale oil, salt fish, loans, insurance. Especially in the early years, much of John Adams' and Jefferson's correspondence was taken up with matters of business.
Yet even within these passages, there are delightful gems, and in Jefferson and Abigail Adams' correspondence, there are far more abundant examples of the mutual friendship and admiration between the Adamses and Jefferson. Their personalities emerge, in a different and generally richer way than they do in even the best history books.
As expected, Jefferson's prose stands out. Were there nothing else of value in the collection, it would be worth a read just to see him pepper even the most mundane topics with bits like calling an ambassador a "torpid uninformed machine," much less the longer passages that show his eloquence was not limited to important documents. But while Adams doesn't achieve the same frequent elegance, his letters are filled with reminders that he was an excellent statesman, and right more often than history gave him credit for (although Jefferson does in later letters).
And then there is a lull in the correspondence, where the history books and the useful, concise chapter introductions of this book must fill in the blanks. The Adamses and Jefferson return to the United States. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson become political rivals, candidates in one of the most bitter election campaigns this country has known, leaders for a generation that agreed on independence, but not what to do after independence was won.
For all the highlighter-worthy lines before this point, the greatness comes when John Adams sends a letter and a package after both are retired, initiating a torrent of letters that lasted until the two men died. Their topics range from education to metaphysics to aristocracy, but Adams' and Jefferson's late-in-life correspondence is far more a story about a seemingly impossible reconciliation. Somehow, both men found the capacity to either forgive, or forget, and a willingness to listen.
"You and I ought not to die, before We have explained ourselves to each other," Adams writes. And they do, tiptoeing sometimes, and always explaining, not attempting to convince.
The politics and the history are there in abundance, but to me, this collection of letters is more about a human drama where the cast of characters are some of the most important names in American history. I've read at least one historian that presented the letters as Adams and Jefferson posing for posterity. They were surely aware that these letters might be published someday, but posing for posterity doesn't account for the clear joy both express in having one great mind to converse with, one friend left from the generation of 1776. Scribbling out these letters with aging hands, they long for an hour of conversation, difficult to imagine in our age of cell phones and jet travel.
These letters combine to tell a story about life, but also a story of death. In later years, facing their own mortality, Adams and Jefferson are unafraid of the topic. Religion, the afterlife, the rights of the next generation to take over. By the time I reached the final letters, the impossible timing of their deaths started to seem less impossible, and I found myself glad that neither had to deal with the loss of his dear correspondent.
Not surprisingly, Jefferson sums it up better than I have managed to in this review:
"A letter from you calls up recollections very dear to my mind. It carries me back to the times when, beset with difficulties and dangers, we were fellow laborers in the same cause, struggling for what is most valuable to man, his right of self-government. Laboring always at the same oar, with some wave ever ahead threatening to overwhelm us and yet passing harmless under our bark we knew not how, we rode through the storm with heart and hand, and made a happy port."
December 5, 2016
12/4/2016
What I've read is marvelous, but my present mindset does not provide suitable ground for this to flourish. Not when severing the union seems like the perfect solution to irreconcilable differences.
Party hatred by its deadly poison blinds the Eyes and envenoms the heart. It is fatal to the integrity of the moral Character. It sees not that wisdom dwells with moderation, and that firmness of conduct is seldom united with outrageous voilence [i.e., violence] of sentiment.
- Abigail Adams
--If only it were a party. It's the people.
<<>>==<<>>==<<>>==<<>>==<<>>==<<>>==<<>>
Buddy read with Ran and Diane
Schedule:
July 24, pp. 263-280; 290-338.
How grief opens doors and softens hearts. The death of Mary was unsurprising as the catalyst for reconciliation.
July 31, pp. 339-394.
Aug 7, 395-456.
Aug 14, 559-614
What I've read is marvelous, but my present mindset does not provide suitable ground for this to flourish. Not when severing the union seems like the perfect solution to irreconcilable differences.
Party hatred by its deadly poison blinds the Eyes and envenoms the heart. It is fatal to the integrity of the moral Character. It sees not that wisdom dwells with moderation, and that firmness of conduct is seldom united with outrageous voilence [i.e., violence] of sentiment.
- Abigail Adams
--If only it were a party. It's the people.
<<>>==<<>>==<<>>==<<>>==<<>>==<<>>==<<>>
Buddy read with Ran and Diane
Schedule:
July 24, pp. 263-280; 290-338.
How grief opens doors and softens hearts. The death of Mary was unsurprising as the catalyst for reconciliation.
July 31, pp. 339-394.
Aug 7, 395-456.
Aug 14, 559-614
March 28, 2008
One of many books I've stolen from my dad's bookshelf. I ADORE Jefferson and Adams' letters to one another (although the Adams' letters to each other are wonderful to read also). The parallel of Jefferson and Adams' stories, their correspondence repairing their relationship at the end of their lives, the synchronicity of their deaths... pretty amazing stuff. (Such a dork.)
August 6, 2024
This is THE great collection of the letters between the Adamses and Jefferson. The letters stretch from May 1777 almost until their deaths on the same day: July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence. As he passed away, Adams' last words were, "Jefferson lives," not knowing that the sage of Monticello had passed just hours before. These letters are amazing, covering the Revolution and the Revolutionary War (apparently two different things: one in the hearts and one on the battlefields), the peace and struggling infancy of the country, the debates over paying tribute to the "pyrates" of the Barbary States vs. building a Navy and which course would be cheaper in terms of dollars and lost prestige, their respective diplomatic affairs in Paris and London, Shay's Rebellion, the French Revolution, the quasi-war with France, the strife between Adams and Jefferson as they served the country in opposing parties causing a rift and cessation of letters for many years, the successful efforts of Dr. Benjamin Rush to repair the breach which led to a rich correspondence in their final years out of office, the War of 1812, Napoleon, the Presidency of John Qunicy Adams, etc., etc.
Nuggets, compleete with endeering Mispellings and Weird punktuation:
John to Thomas, 1777, "The great Work of Confederation draggs heavily on, but I dont despair of it...Financiers we Want, more than Soldiers."
Abigail to Thomas, 1785, writing about a "sublime" performance of The Messiah in Westminster Abbey, "I should have sometimes fancied myself among a higher order of Beings; if it had not been for a very troublesome female who was unfortunately seated behind me, and whose volubility not all the powers of Musick could still."
Abigail to Thomas, 1788, "I have lived long enough, and seen enough of the world, to check expectations, and to bring my mind to my circumstances, and retiring to our own little farm feeding my poultry and improveing my garden has more charms for my fancy, than residing at the court of St. James's [London] where I seldom meet with characters so innofensive as my Hens and chickings, or minds so well improved as my garden."
John to Thomas, 1789, "In four days, the new Government is to be erected. Washington appears to have an unanimous vote: and there is probably a Plurality if not a Majority in favor of your friend-it may be found easier to give Authority, than to yeild obedience."
Thomas to John, 1812 (upon their rapprochemont and recommencement of letters), "A letter from you calls up recollections very dear to my mind. It carries me back to the times when, beset with difficulties and dangers, we were fellow laborers in the same cause, struggling for what is most valuable to man, his right of self-government. Laboring always at the same oar, with some waves ever ahead threatening to overwhelm us and yet passing harmless under our bark, we knew not how, we rode through the storm with heart and hand, and made a happy port."
John to Thomas, 1813, "Poor Bonaparte! Poor Devil!"
John to Thomas, 1817, "You and I have had Children and Grand Children and great grand Children. Though they have cost us Grief, Anxiety, often Vexation, and sometimes humiliation; Yet it has been cheering to have them hovering about Us; and I verily believe they have contributed largely to keep Us alive. Books cannot always expell Ennui."
John to Thomas, 1817, "I have, however, either Friends who wish to amuse and solace my old age; or Ennemies who mean to heap coals of fire on my head and kill me with kindness: for they overwhelm me with Books from all quarters, enough to offuscate all Eyes, and smother and stifle all human Understanding. What should I do, with all this lumber?"
Thomas to John, 1819, "But the Missouri question is a breaker on which we lose the Missouri country by revolt, and what more, God only knows. From the Battle of Bunker's hill to the treaty of Paris we never had so ominous a question."
Enough with spoilers, so I urge that the letters be read, if only especially to read of the forgiveness extended by Thomas to John in his October 12, 1823 letter, near the end of their lives, when enemies of Presidential candidate John Quincy Adams sought to pour salt into old wounds between the friends.
Nuggets, compleete with endeering Mispellings and Weird punktuation:
John to Thomas, 1777, "The great Work of Confederation draggs heavily on, but I dont despair of it...Financiers we Want, more than Soldiers."
Abigail to Thomas, 1785, writing about a "sublime" performance of The Messiah in Westminster Abbey, "I should have sometimes fancied myself among a higher order of Beings; if it had not been for a very troublesome female who was unfortunately seated behind me, and whose volubility not all the powers of Musick could still."
Abigail to Thomas, 1788, "I have lived long enough, and seen enough of the world, to check expectations, and to bring my mind to my circumstances, and retiring to our own little farm feeding my poultry and improveing my garden has more charms for my fancy, than residing at the court of St. James's [London] where I seldom meet with characters so innofensive as my Hens and chickings, or minds so well improved as my garden."
John to Thomas, 1789, "In four days, the new Government is to be erected. Washington appears to have an unanimous vote: and there is probably a Plurality if not a Majority in favor of your friend-it may be found easier to give Authority, than to yeild obedience."
Thomas to John, 1812 (upon their rapprochemont and recommencement of letters), "A letter from you calls up recollections very dear to my mind. It carries me back to the times when, beset with difficulties and dangers, we were fellow laborers in the same cause, struggling for what is most valuable to man, his right of self-government. Laboring always at the same oar, with some waves ever ahead threatening to overwhelm us and yet passing harmless under our bark, we knew not how, we rode through the storm with heart and hand, and made a happy port."
John to Thomas, 1813, "Poor Bonaparte! Poor Devil!"
John to Thomas, 1817, "You and I have had Children and Grand Children and great grand Children. Though they have cost us Grief, Anxiety, often Vexation, and sometimes humiliation; Yet it has been cheering to have them hovering about Us; and I verily believe they have contributed largely to keep Us alive. Books cannot always expell Ennui."
John to Thomas, 1817, "I have, however, either Friends who wish to amuse and solace my old age; or Ennemies who mean to heap coals of fire on my head and kill me with kindness: for they overwhelm me with Books from all quarters, enough to offuscate all Eyes, and smother and stifle all human Understanding. What should I do, with all this lumber?"
Thomas to John, 1819, "But the Missouri question is a breaker on which we lose the Missouri country by revolt, and what more, God only knows. From the Battle of Bunker's hill to the treaty of Paris we never had so ominous a question."
Enough with spoilers, so I urge that the letters be read, if only especially to read of the forgiveness extended by Thomas to John in his October 12, 1823 letter, near the end of their lives, when enemies of Presidential candidate John Quincy Adams sought to pour salt into old wounds between the friends.
October 18, 2020
I am always fascinated by the founding fathers. And no, I don't think of them as "Old White Guys". I think our founding fathers were brilliant and far more educated than we are in this age. This book compiles their letters to each other from May 1777, when they were in England (Adams) and France (Jefferson) doing the business of the fledgling new nation until April of 1876. I found the first years harder to get through as they mostly pertained to introductions of one person or the other, or matters of state business, which take place until 1790. From 1790-1801, they conversed and then there was a misunderstanding until 1804, when the correspondence renews. It was interesting to see them go back and forth on European rebellions and philosophers etc. My favorite part was the latter years, when they looked back on the nation that they had such a large part of founding, and heading, each in his own way. It was endearing to me to read of their end of life years where they were looking forward to moving on to Heaven and their thoughts about that and letting go.
***Poignant fact: Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and our founding. Jefferson. at noon on July 4th 1826, and John Adams shortly after noon. Jefferson was 83, Adams was 90.
***Poignant fact: Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and our founding. Jefferson. at noon on July 4th 1826, and John Adams shortly after noon. Jefferson was 83, Adams was 90.
November 16, 2016
I was motivated to buy this by the John Adams miniseries. The letters that were read in the final episode were very moving. I imagined I would have to hunt around in the volume for letters as good as the ones read in the series. That was mostly wrong. Not every letter is as good as the best letters, but most are quite readable. And many could have been as entertaining as the ones read in the series. (I loved where the former presidents compared notes on the cranks who came in to deliver their apocalyptic opinions to the president. That would have made a great scene.) The letters also tell me that I would not want to be on the other end of a correspondence with an angry Abigail Adams. That said, Jefferson was able to clear himself of the charges better than the series might have led a viewer to believe. The miniseries is accurate, but sometimes misleading, though in ways that are almost inevitable when brevity is an issue.
November 25, 2014
This was my "big read" for 2014 - I read a letter or two every day starting in January and here I am, done a month ahead of schedule. The letters between these two men make for an amazing read, especially after they retire from the public eye. Other reviews will do a better job explaining the context and times of the correspondence, so let me leave you with part of Jefferson's condolence letter to John Adams upon the death of his wife Abigail:
I will not, therefore, by useless condolences, open afresh the sluices of your grief, nor, although mingling sincerely my tears with yours, will I say a word more where words are vain, but that it is of some comfort to us both, that the term is not very distant, at which we are to deposit in the same cerement our sorrows and suffering bodies, and to ascend in essence to an ecstatic meeting with the friends we have loved and lost, and whom we shall still love, and never lose again.
December 31, 2019
These men were of the most brilliant to ever walk on this continent.
July 9, 2017
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.
February 26, 2017
These letters make John and Abigail and Thomas Jefferson come alive on the page. What most intrigued me was the conflict that grew between Adams and Jefferson, Adams' jealousy of his wife's friendship with Jefferson, and the letters between Abigail and Jefferson attempting to deal with the schism. Fascinating!
December 22, 2011
Sigh, when will we again grace with Statesmen like Adams and Jefferson.
July 17, 2020
The first 3rd of this book, minus Abigail's notes*, is pretty dull business--because it's really just that. But, then, during Jefferson's tenure as President, it suddenly got personal and beautiful. I feel like Adams especially would have been a good friend. Which probably says more about me than him. They covered all the topics... except, directly, slavery. It would have been interesting to get their opinions. As it is, their voracious reading and writing habits exhaust me.
It's interesting that these 2 men, so involved in the 1776 business were so distanced from the Constitutional Convention. Their candid, off-hand remarks on the document in their European correspondence telling. And, as time goes on, we see Adams put forth the opinion that the constitution itself isn't a guarantor of good government. What matters is the people of the country.
John Adams is great fun. He doesn't mince words nor is he afraid to admit what he doesn't know. He's frank about his faith, his life, philosophy, and his intentions. Jefferson is hesitant, somewhat non-committal, and proper---making it impossible to forget the differences in their lives and the fact that slavery was a large, if unmentioned, part of his life.
Possibly should be read with My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams. To be fair, most of the rating is due to Adams(x2). Jefferson contributed 1 letter to every 6 or so of theirs.
*One cannot help loving Abigail.
It's interesting that these 2 men, so involved in the 1776 business were so distanced from the Constitutional Convention. Their candid, off-hand remarks on the document in their European correspondence telling. And, as time goes on, we see Adams put forth the opinion that the constitution itself isn't a guarantor of good government. What matters is the people of the country.
John Adams is great fun. He doesn't mince words nor is he afraid to admit what he doesn't know. He's frank about his faith, his life, philosophy, and his intentions. Jefferson is hesitant, somewhat non-committal, and proper---making it impossible to forget the differences in their lives and the fact that slavery was a large, if unmentioned, part of his life.
Possibly should be read with My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams. To be fair, most of the rating is due to Adams(x2). Jefferson contributed 1 letter to every 6 or so of theirs.
*One cannot help loving Abigail.
December 5, 2021
“The reconciliation of Adams and Jefferson in 1812…brought about a rich and voluminous correspondence that has no counterpart in any other period of American history.” P XLIV
Adams to Jefferson, Oct. 9, 1787: “I have long been settled in my own opinion, that neither philosophy, nor religion, nor morality, nor wisdom, nor interest, will ever govern nations or parties, against their vanity, their pride, their resentment or revenge, or their avarice or ambition”
Jefferson to Adams, Aug. 1, 1816: “For, at the latter period, for most of us, the powers of life are sensibly on the wane, sight becomes dim, hearing dull, memory constantly it’s frightful blank and parting with all we have ever seen or know, spirits evaporate, bodily debility creeps on palsying every limb, and so faculty after faculty quits us, and where then is life?”
Adams to Jefferson, Dec.? 16, 1816: “I fear there will be greater difficulties to preserve our Union, than you and I, our Fathers Brothers Friends Disciples and Sons have had to form it.”
We’re these men flawed? Aren’t all men? They were thinkers, readers, writers, courageous. And those today who criticize them are not people of worth or character at all. Oh, poor America, who can’t find a leader who deserves admirations and loyalty.
Adams to Jefferson, Oct. 9, 1787: “I have long been settled in my own opinion, that neither philosophy, nor religion, nor morality, nor wisdom, nor interest, will ever govern nations or parties, against their vanity, their pride, their resentment or revenge, or their avarice or ambition”
Jefferson to Adams, Aug. 1, 1816: “For, at the latter period, for most of us, the powers of life are sensibly on the wane, sight becomes dim, hearing dull, memory constantly it’s frightful blank and parting with all we have ever seen or know, spirits evaporate, bodily debility creeps on palsying every limb, and so faculty after faculty quits us, and where then is life?”
Adams to Jefferson, Dec.? 16, 1816: “I fear there will be greater difficulties to preserve our Union, than you and I, our Fathers Brothers Friends Disciples and Sons have had to form it.”
We’re these men flawed? Aren’t all men? They were thinkers, readers, writers, courageous. And those today who criticize them are not people of worth or character at all. Oh, poor America, who can’t find a leader who deserves admirations and loyalty.
July 14, 2024
One of my favorite time periods of American history to read about is the Revolutionary-Post Revolutionary War era. Naturally, I enjoy studying about Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. We are fortunate to have such a complete correspondence between two such brilliant, influential patriots in our history. I did not enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the letters between John and Abigail Adams. The beginning letters between Adams and Jefferson were, as a whole, more about business. Which, is perfectly understandable and at times can have some fascinating aspects, but it does not have quite the same draw. I think a lot of people are more drawn to the later letters, when both were retired and reconciling/reconciled their friendship. Adams might be my favorite president to study, though there is a considerable amount I disagree with him (particularly his view of religion. The same would be said of Jefferson). A lot of people would find this book dry and I will not lie, there are dry letters in here. But again, to be able to appreciate these two men's exchanges between one another (and some between Jefferson and Abigail as well), is a wonderful gift to fans of history. I do think you have to be a fan of Adams and/or Jefferson to truly appreciate this book. It is not as exciting as McCullough's bio on John Adams (which is one of my favorite bios I have read in general). We do not get as much insight as Malone's 6 part series on Jefferson. But, if you fall into the niche, I think you will want this in your collection. Even if to pursue or read occasionally, you will find interest in it.
December 20, 2018
They served in the Second Continental Congress, collaborated on the Declaration of Independence, served as diplomats overseas, and served as the second and third vice president and president of the United States. They were learned men with very diverse interests and struck up a great friendship, only to see it become smashed to pieces over differing political visions. Cappon, on one of the greatest letter editorial accomplishments of the twentieth century (it was originally published in 1959), assembles their vast correspondence -- including Abigail Adams, wife of John -- and carefully annotates it through the highs and lows of their relationship.
Read
November 17, 2020This was a difficult book to read that was made harder by COVID 19 shutting me down for months.
This is the first book of letters I have read. If I had not recently read autobiographies of Adams, Washington, and Hamilton, I would not have appreciated the pictures painted by these letters. I wish I had also read a biography of Jefferson. Of course, many of these letters informed the authors of these books, but reading the actual letters was mostly interesting. I must admit though that some periods of time the letters were really not that interesting.
This is the first book of letters I have read. If I had not recently read autobiographies of Adams, Washington, and Hamilton, I would not have appreciated the pictures painted by these letters. I wish I had also read a biography of Jefferson. Of course, many of these letters informed the authors of these books, but reading the actual letters was mostly interesting. I must admit though that some periods of time the letters were really not that interesting.
August 15, 2018
The Adams-Jefferson correspondence is an unparalleled education in life, friendship, politics, revolutionary America, religion, and philosophy.
With over 50+ years of letters between John Adams (and Abigail Adams) and Thomas Jefferson, their relationship is on full display. Both the good and the bad.
I highly recommend to anyone who wants to better appreciate their relationship and that time period.
My thought is it’s Best to read the correspondence in sections.
With over 50+ years of letters between John Adams (and Abigail Adams) and Thomas Jefferson, their relationship is on full display. Both the good and the bad.
I highly recommend to anyone who wants to better appreciate their relationship and that time period.
My thought is it’s Best to read the correspondence in sections.
December 20, 2018
The Revolutionary period and early American Independence is such a dense era of our country's history, and reading letters really brings this history to life in a way unparalleled by many historical narratives. I very much enjoyed this book as a follow up to my reading of John and Abigail Adams' correspondence last year. The things to which these incredible men and women were witnesses boggles the mind.
January 19, 2021
It took about a year, but what a rich book. I vastly prefer the John Adams, who has a childlike spirit to him. His letters are full of life and curiosity, where Jefferson is self serious. Also was surprised to encounter Adams’ religious views as being way closer to a kind of Deism/Humanism like Jefferson than I would’ve imagined.
did-not-finish
February 17, 2025While I loved getting to read these letters, I realized that this would more be a reference book than one you read through.
So I'm setting this aside for now, but am grateful that I have it to reference.
So I'm setting this aside for now, but am grateful that I have it to reference.
July 28, 2017
Second half is the best.
June 30, 2019
Love these letters. This isn't something I sat down and just read like a normal book, but read 1 letter at a time.
I use this as a daily read and not something to finish quickly.
I use this as a daily read and not something to finish quickly.
January 2, 2020
RECOMMENDED for hardcore American History buffs. In fact - you are not one until you have read this book. Long and laborious with delightful and deep insights here and there.
June 12, 2021
I usually don’t like history books but this book was good to see the friendship that John Addams and Thomas Jefferson were able to have even though their thoughts were so politically diverse.
November 24, 2021
Incredible insight into early American thinking. Genuinely loved reading this.
October 5, 2022
Good, but I would have liked less of the early correspondence. It's not as interesting as the 1811 forward, when friends reunite. It clutters the book a bit.
July 31, 2025
Interesting documentary book of the complete threeway correspondence between Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and his wife Abigail Adams....
May 23, 2012
Not a book about History, this IS History
Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall and to be able to share in the thoughts and happenings of important places and people? Well, if your desires in that regard include the office of the Presidency of the United States and the early days following the American Revolution, that is exactly what this book provides.
As was typical of statesmen of that day, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams maintained a lengthy personal and professional correspondance the subjects of which were both mundane and highly intellectual. This book takes that correspondance, chronologically arranges it and then groups it according the characteristics of the time and the themes of their correspondance. As an additional bonus, John's wife Abigail Adams is included as well.
My attraction to this volume was to seek clarity and focus on several questions that are quite relevant to today. What was meant and intended by the concept of Separation of Church and State and what was the philisophic and religious thinking of there two important figures? There's no shortage of resources out there to tell you what these men thought, the context of their society and usually as an added bonus how these matters in one way or another support the agenda or perspective of the one putting the source together.
At some point however, if you really want to grapple with these issues or just understand the times and importance of these two men, there is no substitute for simply reading and allowing them to speak for themselves.
The added benefit of reading it through in its entirity is that you are not subjected to the judgement of another as to what is significant, what isn't and you aren't relying upon snippets and quotes that may or may not be in context and may or may not be representative of all that either man had to say upon a certain matter.
Certainly, this is just a small cross-section of all that these two men wrote and by itself there is much more that should be added. However, more than any other correspondance preserved from that day that these men engaged in, this was an exchange between men who considered the other his equal and for whom, with exceptions in time periods that are noted, mutual respect and a desire to explain themselves to one another motivated a candor and depth of intimacy that is difficult to find in other sectors.
Certainly, any student of American History needs this resource as a reference and as such it affords a ready means to add information and topically flip through the pages to see what each man had to say on a particular subject.
Every such student though, in my opinion, owes it to themselves, at least once, to just sit down and read the entire volume. Do this, and you'll have a handle upon the style of communication of the day, a feeling for many of the issues of the day and how they were viewed by the participants who did not have the advantage of knowing at the time how something would resolve. Idiosyncrasies in language and social custom will become more self-evident and the chances of being mislead by a quote isolated from its context will diminish considerably.
In short, for anyone who loves History, this is an experience not to be missed.
The footnotes and introductory passages to the different sections in my opinion do a remarkably good job of providing the reader with just enough context and outside information so that the letters themselves make sense and are not misunderstood. The reader is not told what to think about the letters per se, but rather equipped to make a better informed evaluation and come to their own conclusions. Those elements make the book valuable as well.
5 stars if ever there was a book worthy of 5 stars; again, this IS history.
Bart Breen
Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall and to be able to share in the thoughts and happenings of important places and people? Well, if your desires in that regard include the office of the Presidency of the United States and the early days following the American Revolution, that is exactly what this book provides.
As was typical of statesmen of that day, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams maintained a lengthy personal and professional correspondance the subjects of which were both mundane and highly intellectual. This book takes that correspondance, chronologically arranges it and then groups it according the characteristics of the time and the themes of their correspondance. As an additional bonus, John's wife Abigail Adams is included as well.
My attraction to this volume was to seek clarity and focus on several questions that are quite relevant to today. What was meant and intended by the concept of Separation of Church and State and what was the philisophic and religious thinking of there two important figures? There's no shortage of resources out there to tell you what these men thought, the context of their society and usually as an added bonus how these matters in one way or another support the agenda or perspective of the one putting the source together.
At some point however, if you really want to grapple with these issues or just understand the times and importance of these two men, there is no substitute for simply reading and allowing them to speak for themselves.
The added benefit of reading it through in its entirity is that you are not subjected to the judgement of another as to what is significant, what isn't and you aren't relying upon snippets and quotes that may or may not be in context and may or may not be representative of all that either man had to say upon a certain matter.
Certainly, this is just a small cross-section of all that these two men wrote and by itself there is much more that should be added. However, more than any other correspondance preserved from that day that these men engaged in, this was an exchange between men who considered the other his equal and for whom, with exceptions in time periods that are noted, mutual respect and a desire to explain themselves to one another motivated a candor and depth of intimacy that is difficult to find in other sectors.
Certainly, any student of American History needs this resource as a reference and as such it affords a ready means to add information and topically flip through the pages to see what each man had to say on a particular subject.
Every such student though, in my opinion, owes it to themselves, at least once, to just sit down and read the entire volume. Do this, and you'll have a handle upon the style of communication of the day, a feeling for many of the issues of the day and how they were viewed by the participants who did not have the advantage of knowing at the time how something would resolve. Idiosyncrasies in language and social custom will become more self-evident and the chances of being mislead by a quote isolated from its context will diminish considerably.
In short, for anyone who loves History, this is an experience not to be missed.
The footnotes and introductory passages to the different sections in my opinion do a remarkably good job of providing the reader with just enough context and outside information so that the letters themselves make sense and are not misunderstood. The reader is not told what to think about the letters per se, but rather equipped to make a better informed evaluation and come to their own conclusions. Those elements make the book valuable as well.
5 stars if ever there was a book worthy of 5 stars; again, this IS history.
Bart Breen
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews