Adams vs. Jefferson: The tumultuous election of 1800 by John Ferling fits neatly into my interest in both Adams and Jefferson. I picked this book up on a mark down table at a brick and mortar book store many years ago and it has languished on my shelves as I have slowly read the books there. Recently, I have had eye problems and learned about the audio books available from the library. I was thrilled to see this one and picked it up quickly.
Started: 9/13/2019 (Friday the 13th)
Completed: 9/16/2019
Recommendation: Recommended
Recommended By: Nobody
Words for which I sought help:
bloviate -- talk at length, especially in an inflated or empty way
calumny -- the making of false and defamatory statements about someone in order to damage their reputation; slander
Review:
This book brings to life the background and actions of the election of 1800. I was aware that the election was decided in the House of Representatives, that Jefferson was the victor, and that Burr felt he had a good chance of winning. The book sort of glosses over the previous election in which Adams beat Jefferson without going to the House of Representatives. It seems like the author really likes Jefferson, sees his presidency as the revolution Jefferson claimed it to be, and felt that Burr was a warped personality.
What interested me most was the deadlock in the House. I was unaware of this and equally unaware of the likelihood that Jefferson had made a deal (which he denied) to break it. I also had no idea how central to the election South Carolina was and equally so Delaware in the House. Thus, the almost week long effort to elect a president seems to have come to an end through a deal with Delaware and that was brought to the House largely through the electoral votes of South Carolina (although it seems that the electoral votes of New York might have been equally telling, though less unknown). It was also fascinating to learn that every elector cast two votes for president (with at least one coming from a different state)--this was resolved by the 14th(?) amendment to the constitution which changed it to one vote making a tie far less likely.
A good book and a decent read.
This book brings to life the background and actions of the election of 1800. I was aware that the election was decided in the House of Representatives, that Jefferson was the victor, and that Burr felt he had a good chance of winning. The book sort of glosses over the previous election in which Adams beat Jefferson without going to the House of Representatives. It seems like the author really likes Jefferson, sees his presidency as the revolution Jefferson claimed it to be, and felt that Burr was a warped personality.
What interested me most was the deadlock in the House. I was unaware of this and equally unaware of the likelihood that Jefferson had made a deal (which he denied) to break it. I also had no idea how central to the election South Carolina was and equally so Delaware in the House. Thus, the almost week long effort to elect a president seems to have come to an end through a deal with Delaware and that was brought to the House largely through the electoral votes of South Carolina (although it seems that the electoral votes of New York might have been equally telling, though less unknown). It was also fascinating to learn that every elector cast two votes for president (with at least one coming from a different state)--this was resolved by the 14th(?) amendment to the constitution which changed it to one vote making a tie far less likely.
A good book and a decent read.
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