The Great Divide: The Conflict between Washington and Jefferson that Defined a Nation

The Great Divide: The Conflict between Washington and Jefferson that Defined a Nation

In the months after her husband's death, Martha Washington told several friends that the two worst days of her life were the day George died—and the day Thomas Jefferson came to Mount Vernon to offer his condolences. What could elicit such a strong reaction from the nation's original first lady? Though history tends to cast the early years of America in a glow of camaraderie, there were, in fact, many conflicts among the Founding Fathers—none more important than the one between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. The chief disagreement between these former friends centered on the highest, most original public office created by the Constitutional Convention—the presidency. They also argued violently about the nation's foreign policy, the role of merchants and farmers in a republic, and the durability of the union itself. At the root of all these disagreements were two sharply different visions for the nation's future. Acclaimed historian Thomas Fleming examines how the differing temperaments and leadership styles of Washington and Jefferson shaped two opposing views of the presidency—and the nation. The clash between these two gifted men, both of whom cared deeply about the United States of America, profoundly influenced the next two centuries of America's history and resonates in the present day. “Prolific historian Fleming delivers a vivid, opinionated history of this conflict.... Among historians, Jefferson's star has been falling for 50 years. Fleming's frank hostility puts him at the far end of the scale, but he makes a fascinating case that Jefferson's charisma—which peaked early with the Declaration of Independence—was accompanied by fanciful political beliefs that continue to exert a malign influence on the office of the presidency.”— Kirkus Reviews Library Journal , 3/1/15 “Lightly documented, this work is not a research volume, but its clean and snappy prose make for a readable synthesis.” Booklist , starred review, 3/15 “Fleming looks beyond the standard history of the founding and early years of the nation to detail the contrasts in the backgrounds and personalities of these men [Washington and Jefferson]…A fascinating look at American history from the perspective of personal relationships and political ideals.” Publishers Weekly , 3/16/15 “[An] impassioned defense of Washington's presidency, and more entertaining for its interest in the pettiness and foibles of our oft-lionized founders.” Bookviews blog, April 2015 “Thomas Fleming is already regarded as one of our nation's preeminent historians and with good reason… [The Great Divide] is a totally fascinating insight into two men [Washington and Jefferson] and their colleagues who brought about a new nation.” Midwest Book Review , April 2015 “An in-depth examination of the deep and severe political disagreements between two of America's most influential Founding Fathers…A fascinating study of strong-willed genius…A ‘must-have' for college and public library American History shelves.” What Would the Founders Think?, 5/17/15 “An absorbing book that will enlighten many and shock some. Much has been written about Thomas Jefferson's clash with Alexander Hamilton, but the differences between George Washington and Jefferson have received little attention. The Great Divide rectifies that neglect and more.” San Francisco Book Review, 5/27/15 “Fleming shows the flaws and foibles as well as the strengths of these men…A highly readable book…An enlightening read and interesting depiction of the personalities of Washington and Jefferson.” PJ Media, 5/25/15 “A terrific and ferociously argued new book.” Roanoke Times , 3/8/15 “ The Great Divide is a great vehicle for…understanding the roots of conflicts that marked the country's beginning and persist in some form today.” Kirkus Reviews e-newsletter, “Best Books out This Week,” 3/17 Warning Signs, 3/17/15 “[Fleming is] one of America's finest historians…[The Great Divide] is very entertaining and, over all, very astonishing. Most of the things we learned in school about [Washington and Jefferson] and their era are, generally speaking, wrong.” Chronicle of Higher Education , 3/30/15 “Documents how differences in the two Founders' temperaments and leadership styles shaped their opposing visions for the presidency and the nation.” LookAtBooks.com, 3/10/15 “This is an extremely interesting book that takes a novel position on the oft-studied, oft-debated politics of the Early National Era…And Fleming backs this contention up with a good deal of proof and extensive scholarship… The Great Divide is a book worth reading for any history buff or person with a casual interest in the politics of the Early Republic.” InfoDad blog, 4/2/15 “The basic differences between the Washingtonian and Jeffersonian outlooks…are rarely explored with the depth and intensity of The Great Divide .” Praise for The Great Divide "Historians often speak of the conflict between Jefferso