JasonKoivu

Ferling brings these two larger-than-life icons of American history back to life in a big way. Reading Adams Vs. Jefferson you feel as if you're actually getting to know them, not only their public personas as politicians, but also as men.

Personally I'm not sure I'd like either of them 100% through and through. I guess that can be said about most everyone to some extent. There's always one niggling quality about a person that doesn't jell with your own outlook on life, but in this case both of these guys rubbed me the wrong way in a sizable manner.

Jefferson's soft-spoken, intellectual approach is fantastic. His passive-aggressive way of getting what he wanted is not.

Adams moralistic way of life set him up admirably upon a fine high horse. But that horse's shit could be a lot of stinky hot air at times.

If only the best parts of Jefferson and Adams could've been combined they would have made Superman incarnate.

My hat's off to John Ferling for the fact that I'm now able to consider either of these dusty old men in such a here-and-now lively light.