A Perfect Coincidence

They were the architects of America’s fight for independence, and they were summoned into the great beyond merely hours apart on July 4, 1826, fifty years to the day of their revolutionary act. John Adams was born in Massachusetts and came from modest means, while Thomas Jefferson was born into a wealthy landowning family in Virginia. Both men played crucial roles in diplomacy during the war, with Adams spending time in France and later England while Jefferson served in England and later France. Initially, their friendship was strong, and their correspondence was consistent during these years, but the trajectory of their relationship changed amidst political differences in shaping the future of the United States. The pair would be political rivals from 1796 onwards, with Adams becoming the 2nd President and Jefferson the 3rd in 1800. Their breach would begin to heal with time and old age, the letters exchanged showing a willingness to forgive old grievances.

A Perfect Coincidence is a near-flawless portrayal of two Founding Fathers who, while fallible, helped shepherd the United States through its nascent years. Author Jim Rasenberger masterfully covers his subjects in an expansive historical work that will resonate with those appreciating a riveting biography and/or history book.