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A Perfect Coincidence: The Extraordinary Friendship and Astonishing Deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
An extraordinary look at the long and complex relationship between Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, who died on the same historic day—July 4, 1826, exactly fifty years after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence—and timed to the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
In creating the Declaration of Independence, approved by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, Jefferson and Adams collaborated in what Jefferson later called “a perfect coincidence” of thought and action. Exactly fifty years later, in the most perfect coincidence in American history, they died within hours of each other—both former US presidents, both essential architects of the nation.
This book explores those two remarkable coincidences and the fifty-year relationship in between. Thomas Jefferson, a charismatic Southern aristocrat, and John Adams, a cantankerous Yankee, were once close friends, then bitter political enemies. In the last years of their lives, they reconciled and resumed an extraordinary correspondence, totaling some 380 letters that continued until their final months.
Other than the Declaration of Independence, the greatest symbolic gift either man gave his country may have been dying together on that fateful Independence Day in 1826. For many Americans, this moment was viewed as a “visible and palpable” manifestation of “Divine favor”—as one contemporary put it—and fueled the conviction that America was a land of miracles.
Published to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States—and the 200th anniversary of the men’s deaths—this book is essential reading for anyone interested in presidential biographies, the Revolutionary War era, and the enduring power—yet terrible fragility—of American democracy.
In creating the Declaration of Independence, approved by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, Jefferson and Adams collaborated in what Jefferson later called “a perfect coincidence” of thought and action. Exactly fifty years later, in the most perfect coincidence in American history, they died within hours of each other—both former US presidents, both essential architects of the nation.
This book explores those two remarkable coincidences and the fifty-year relationship in between. Thomas Jefferson, a charismatic Southern aristocrat, and John Adams, a cantankerous Yankee, were once close friends, then bitter political enemies. In the last years of their lives, they reconciled and resumed an extraordinary correspondence, totaling some 380 letters that continued until their final months.
Other than the Declaration of Independence, the greatest symbolic gift either man gave his country may have been dying together on that fateful Independence Day in 1826. For many Americans, this moment was viewed as a “visible and palpable” manifestation of “Divine favor”—as one contemporary put it—and fueled the conviction that America was a land of miracles.
Published to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the United States—and the 200th anniversary of the men’s deaths—this book is essential reading for anyone interested in presidential biographies, the Revolutionary War era, and the enduring power—yet terrible fragility—of American democracy.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 12, 2026
This was really, really good. I don’t usually go into a non-fiction expecting elegant prose, but by god, did the author deliver! The narrative was so well-constructed, giving consideration to pacing without sacrificing detail.
This would be a presidential non-fiction I’d recommend to almost anyone. Chapeau to the author. Well done.
This would be a presidential non-fiction I’d recommend to almost anyone. Chapeau to the author. Well done.
July 8, 2026
I am abandoning this book although I am not abandoning this author as yet.
The author took a position on Thomas Jefferson and his relationship with Sally Hemings without explaining the controversy. The author simply stated it as fact. He justified it by using Occam's Razor... the simplest explanation is the most likely true, yet ignored an even more simple explanation... that Thomas Jefferson was not the father of Sally Hemings' children. It could have been another member of his family that impregnated her... any one of seven including Thomas Jefferson. If the author had explained that and continued on with the presumption that it was Thomas Jefferson, I would have been ok with it, but the author didn't go into the controversy. He stated it as fact that Thomas Jefferson was the father of Sally Hemings children and then used that as leverage to explain (or imply) other things about Jefferson's actions in that light.
At that point I began to distrust what the author was saying... not that I think the author was trying to mislead me. I am not being sarcastic here. I really do NOT think the author was deliberately misleading the reader, but I wanted to know whether he was expert enough to make a flat out statement on the historicity of this event. I looked up the author's credentials and, as it turns out, he has the same credentials as I do concerning history. That is, no credentials at all that I could find. That is also ok with me, but now I wonder what else the author has been stating as fact that might be in significant dispute.
From Wikipedia: "A number of historians and geneticists argue that while DNA testing of Hemings' descendants reveals a genetic connection with a male ancestor in the Jefferson family, it does not conclusively prove that it was Jefferson himself who sired these children, leading to the Jefferson-Hemings controversy"
I might read something else from the author in the future although I'll be more skeptical when he makes statements of fact.
The author took a position on Thomas Jefferson and his relationship with Sally Hemings without explaining the controversy. The author simply stated it as fact. He justified it by using Occam's Razor... the simplest explanation is the most likely true, yet ignored an even more simple explanation... that Thomas Jefferson was not the father of Sally Hemings' children. It could have been another member of his family that impregnated her... any one of seven including Thomas Jefferson. If the author had explained that and continued on with the presumption that it was Thomas Jefferson, I would have been ok with it, but the author didn't go into the controversy. He stated it as fact that Thomas Jefferson was the father of Sally Hemings children and then used that as leverage to explain (or imply) other things about Jefferson's actions in that light.
At that point I began to distrust what the author was saying... not that I think the author was trying to mislead me. I am not being sarcastic here. I really do NOT think the author was deliberately misleading the reader, but I wanted to know whether he was expert enough to make a flat out statement on the historicity of this event. I looked up the author's credentials and, as it turns out, he has the same credentials as I do concerning history. That is, no credentials at all that I could find. That is also ok with me, but now I wonder what else the author has been stating as fact that might be in significant dispute.
From Wikipedia: "A number of historians and geneticists argue that while DNA testing of Hemings' descendants reveals a genetic connection with a male ancestor in the Jefferson family, it does not conclusively prove that it was Jefferson himself who sired these children, leading to the Jefferson-Hemings controversy"
I might read something else from the author in the future although I'll be more skeptical when he makes statements of fact.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A delightful and interesting exploration of two of our founding fathers: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. These men died on the same day, July 4, 1826, fifty years after their coordinated efforts brought about the adoption of Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Jefferson considered this “‘a perfect coincidence’ of thought and action.”
Adams and Jefferson could not have been two very different men - from physical appearance to temperament - Adams the cantankerous Yankee and Jefferson the charismatic Southerner. Yet without either, this country would not have been formed. Once close friends, over the years they became bitter political enemies but mended their division and resumed a friendship writing letters right up until their deaths - 380 in total.
The book covers the years 1776 through 1826, following each man and their actions and interrelationships in that period. We are treated to a great history of the events of our country’s founding and how these two men’s contributions were so important to it.
This is a very readable history book. It’s engaging and well written. Anyone with an interest in our country’s founding will enjoy this book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for allowing me to read this book.
Adams and Jefferson could not have been two very different men - from physical appearance to temperament - Adams the cantankerous Yankee and Jefferson the charismatic Southerner. Yet without either, this country would not have been formed. Once close friends, over the years they became bitter political enemies but mended their division and resumed a friendship writing letters right up until their deaths - 380 in total.
The book covers the years 1776 through 1826, following each man and their actions and interrelationships in that period. We are treated to a great history of the events of our country’s founding and how these two men’s contributions were so important to it.
This is a very readable history book. It’s engaging and well written. Anyone with an interest in our country’s founding will enjoy this book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for allowing me to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Very interesting take on the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. The author deals less with specifics of their careers, as opposed to their lives, friendship, animosity, renewed friendship and correspondence. Learned so much about both individuals. David McCullough painted one picture of Adams in his book, and this book delves more into the true Adams. Intelligent, jealous, worried about how history would view him, and his amazing love of his wife Abigail Jefferson appears a Renaissance many of words and thoughts, yes behind the scenes he plots against Adams and the Federalists, he lives a magnificent lifestyle but is mired in huge debt, and in need of slaves to produce items to pay his bills and run Monticello. Much family loss and heartbreak for both men, and despite years of silence they eventually rekindle their relationship. Wonderful work by the author and a must read as we prepare for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,
Also we find our the significance of 3 dates: July 2, July 4 & August 2!
Top notch effort by Jim Rasenberger!!
Also we find our the significance of 3 dates: July 2, July 4 & August 2!
Top notch effort by Jim Rasenberger!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a remarkable book! I really enjoyed reading about the complex relationship between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Both of them seemed to be great men in their own right, but the author also included their bad points. He made them seem like real men. There was so much history included in this book. I loved learning more about how our country started and all the problems the Founding Fathers encountered. It was also interesting to read about other men that lived at this time like Hamilton, Madison and Washington. This book is long, but I loved every minute of it. I highly recommend this book! You can tell the author spent a lot of time on the research and has a passion for historical writing I plan to read more of his work.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In A PERFECT COINCIDENCE, written by Jim Rasenberger, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams come together to sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. They die 50 years later on the exact same date, July 4, 1826. Is what happens divine providence?
I think this book is being published at the perfect time since our country will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. I appreciate the way Rasenberger includes quoted material. The information about the signing of the Declaration of Independence is most interesting. This book loses me near the end, after the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Thank you, Scribner and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of A PERFECT COINCIDENCE.
I think this book is being published at the perfect time since our country will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. I appreciate the way Rasenberger includes quoted material. The information about the signing of the Declaration of Independence is most interesting. This book loses me near the end, after the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Thank you, Scribner and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of A PERFECT COINCIDENCE.
July 12, 2026
Published to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary and the bicentennial of Adams’ and Jefferson's deaths, Jim Rasenberger’s A Perfect Coincidence: The Extraordinary Friendship and Astonishing Deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson reminds readers that the story of America’s founding is inseparable from the debates over liberty, equality, and democracy that continue to shape the nation today. Review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson are the two Founding Fathers about whom I have read the most, from their correspondence to excellent biographies or character analyses like (among others), Jon Meacham’s Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power; Joseph J. Ellis’s American Sphinx, First Family: Abigail and John Adams and Passionate Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams; Dumas Malone’s Jefferson and His Time; David McCullough’s John Adams; Page Smith’s John Adams; John Ferling’s John Adams: A Life and Adams vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800. Despite all of this rich material, there were still some things I learned in Jim Rasenberger’s excellent book.
Most students of American history know that Jefferson and Adams, often considered “the North and South Poles of the American Revolution,” died on the same day: July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Rasenberger offers a nuanced portrait of both men from the heady and danger-fraught days meeting in Philadelphia to address British aggression to their nearly simultaneous deaths, and one of the most unflinching accounts of Jefferson’s nearly schizophrenic condemnation and perpetuation of slavery and his relationship with Sally Hemmings. I highly recommend this beautifully written book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and the author for providing me with an ARC of this fascinating – and timely, given this year is the United States’ 250th birthday – exploration of these two men who remain at the center at the story of our Founding. This compelling history is expected to be published on May 5, 2026.
Most students of American history know that Jefferson and Adams, often considered “the North and South Poles of the American Revolution,” died on the same day: July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Rasenberger offers a nuanced portrait of both men from the heady and danger-fraught days meeting in Philadelphia to address British aggression to their nearly simultaneous deaths, and one of the most unflinching accounts of Jefferson’s nearly schizophrenic condemnation and perpetuation of slavery and his relationship with Sally Hemmings. I highly recommend this beautifully written book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Scribner, and the author for providing me with an ARC of this fascinating – and timely, given this year is the United States’ 250th birthday – exploration of these two men who remain at the center at the story of our Founding. This compelling history is expected to be published on May 5, 2026.
June 15, 2026
The book covers the years 1776 through 1826, following each man and their actions and interrelationships in that period. We are treated to a great history of the events of our country’s founding and how these two men’s contributions were so important to it.
This is a very readable history book. It’s engaging and well written. Anyone with an interest in our country’s
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*Advanced readers Copy*
This is a fantastic book! I love learning more about our Founding Fathers. I'm a sucker for history so I knew I'd enjoy it. Anyone who wants to learn more about these two Founding Fathers would enjoy it.
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read this.
This is a fantastic book! I love learning more about our Founding Fathers. I'm a sucker for history so I knew I'd enjoy it. Anyone who wants to learn more about these two Founding Fathers would enjoy it.
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read this.
June 28, 2026
Very enlightening!
This book really lays a groundwork for understanding the history of today's
problems which were initiated by the compromises that had to be made to establish the country in the beginning.
This book really lays a groundwork for understanding the history of today's
problems which were initiated by the compromises that had to be made to establish the country in the beginning.
July 4, 2026
I listened to this. What a great read, especially for this special time. Although I knew quite a few things, I still learned much about these extraordinary men. Our nation owes them much gratitude and respect! Happy Fourth!
July 11, 2026
Absolutely terrific!!!! Could not recommend this book more highly . A great addition to the knowledge of the Founding. The author does a remarkable job of presenting two remarkable men, and the remarkable times in which they lived.
July 11, 2026
Truly fascinating detailed archive into lives of two of our most illustrious founding fathers. This is a very well documented look into early days of our nation, but I really enjoyed the occasional sly humor of the author that highlights some of the more personal aspects of these two great men.
July 13, 2026
Even though at times it drifted away from Adams and Jefferson directly, I think the final page fits perfectly into what needs to happen with all of us in that we can have different visions and missions, but can still be friendly with one another.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews