FRIENDS DIVIDED John Adams and Thomas Jefferson

Statesmen and political scientists say that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were both friends and "enemies" throughout their public and private lives. James Lurie narrates this dual biography steadily and clearly. The principals' lives are recounted through letters, family papers, and political writings. Lurie clearly differentiates the narrative from the reading of documents by slow pauses and a subtle shift in intonation. Back and forth, the two friends and rivals are compared and contrasted, described and differentiated, bringing the men and this period to life. The work is an account of the art of statesmanship and carefully reasoned political positions. This fundamental and key period in our nation's history is brought to life through Lurie's careful yet fluid narration. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2018]