A Perfect Coincidence: The Extraordinary Friendship and Astonishing Deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson

by Jim Rasenberger

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.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, American History, American Revolution, Audiobook, American Revolutionary War

496 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 2026

Reviews

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! I have found an author who has written a book which aligns perfectly with my view of Thomas Jefferson (and John Adams to boot!). Mainly, Thomas Jefferson is one of the most brilliant and important minds of American history. He is also one of the biggest hypocrites and a terrible human being. Granted, author Jim Rasenberger presents a much more nuanced and scholarly take in A Perfect Coincidence, but I'm not an author and can therefore make wildly exaggerated pronouncements.

Oh, and John Adams? He was nothing if not honest that he was a curmudgeon who was unpopular and always would be. Again, like Jefferson, still one of the great minds of the U.S., but horribly flawed. Rasenberger uses these two as yin and yang. Jefferson the farmer with slaves versus Adams the Northern elitist who abhors slavery. Of course, history is never that simple. Jefferson hated slavery. He also profited from it and would never fully back away because he was already in tremendous debt. Adams would always be against slavery, but never a full-on abolitionist.

Essentially, these two men are the perfect comparison when you want to challenge conventional wisdom. Both were essential to what the U.S. would become. They stood for different things almost as soon as the ink on the Declaration of Independence was dry. They would be best friends, then bitter enemies, then the best of friends again up until their deaths on the same day.

The day? July 4th. 50 years from 1776. Just a coincidence I suppose.

In summary, here is what you need to know. The American Revolution is my favorite time period in history. I read a lot of it. This book feels both new and engaging in a way that demands a read even if you know plenty about these two already. After all, they gave us so much to talk about.

(This book was provided as a review copy by Scribner and the author.)

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Lara Reading Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kindling the Fire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great look into the petty bromance between arguably the most important founders involved in independence. Also enjoyed reading about their diplomatic tour in Europe together.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written, expertly researched deep-dive into the lives, the friendship [both when they were 'frenemies', actual enemies and when they had a deep, abiding friendship], and the deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

The author writes well of both men, but does not shy away from the negative things that surrounded both men at different times in their lives [Adams with his 'royalty' issue, plus his ego issues when he was President, and Jefferson and slavery, specifically Sally Hemmings], nor does he whitewash their religious beliefs [they were Deists, not traditionally Christian and looked at religion very differently than many of that time] to make them something they were most certainly not. He shows how both men, flaws and all, loved this country, served her well [and sometimes not so well], especially in the shaping of the country in its infancy [Declaration and the Constitution to name two things they were deeply involved in], and how they, after an very long [which was unusual for the time] life, died within hours of each other on July 4th, 1826 - 50 years after the very signing of the document that they were so instrumental in writing.

The history in this is very good, there were points that I had never heard before in any previous readings of these men and I really enjoyed my reading of this book. I highly recommend this to any history buff and anyone who is truly interested in their long and unusual friendship.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jim Rasenberger, and Scribner for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[JuanCarlos Maldonado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography of the friendship—and rivalry—between Adams and Jefferson has been an engaging and accessible read. The pace with which Jim Rasenberger approaches each stage of their lives continually heightens the reader’s desire to learn more about the protagonists and the era in which they lived.

The appearance of other important figures, including Washington, Franklin, Hamilton, Madison, Benjamin Rush, Samuel Adams, Sally Hemings, and John Quincy Adams, among others, enriches the narrative by situating their relationship within its broader historical context and providing a more comprehensive view of the impact of their friendship.

The work does not conclude with the deaths of Adams and Jefferson. Instead, its final chapter explores the enduring legacy of their relationship and the consequences—at times unexpected—that it had for the nation and for subsequent American presidents. The notion of America’s “chosen” status is itself shaped, in part, by this extraordinary coincidence, making the title of the book an apt reference to at least three dimensions of their story: the coincidence that two extraordinary minds should encounter one another at the same time and place; the convergence of ideas and principles that helped shape the American experiment; and the coincidence of their deaths on July 4, 1826. All of these coincidences were, without a doubt, perfect.

[Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

An in depth look into the lives of 2 of America's founding fathers. Well researched.
We tend to put our heroes on pedestals. This book tarnishes their images a bit. John Adams defended the British in the Boston Massacre trial. Thomas Jefferson owned slaves. Neither of them were perfect.
Their relationship was up and down. Jefferson would plant stories about Adams that would eventually get back to him, which caused hard feelings. The friendship was rekindled by the intervention of Dr. Benjamin Rush.
Their deaths on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence was the Perfect Coincidence.

[skip thurnauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Perfect Coincidence explores the unique friendship and rivalry between two of America’s founding fathers, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson referred to their collaboration on the Declaration of Independence as “a perfect coincidence of thought and action.” Their deaths on July 4th exactly 50 years later was extraordinary and another perfect coincidence. The two men couldn’t have been more different in temperament and comportment, Adams the somewhat dour New Englander and Jefferson the more patrician southerner. Other than the slavery issue, they differed more on style than on ideas. Both believed slavery contradicted the principle of “all men created equal”. Adam’s opposed slavery, but was not a true abolitionist. Jefferson, a slave owner, also opposed slavery, but recognized the importance of slavery to the southern economy and supported the idea of states rights, a backdoor argument in favor of slavery. They kicked the slavery issue down the road while recognizing the price of deferment would have to be paid in the future. Following the war with Britain, Adams and Jefferson grew even closer when they were both representing the country abroad in France. Before the advent of political parties, Adam’s was elected to follow Washington as President. Jefferson, second in balloting, became Vice President. Jefferson undermined Adams’ term in office and ran against him at the end of the first term, the advent of political parties in America. Following their time in office, Adam’s retired to a simple farmer’s life in Massachusetts, Jefferson to plantation life in Virginia. The rift created by the election lasted about a dozen years and was finally healed at the urging of Benjamin Rush, another signer of the Declaration. When after a decade communications were commenced, the two exchanged letters for another fourteen years, discussing family matters as well as issues of national importance, like the Missouri Compromise in 1819. “Adam’s and Jefferson spent their political lives grappling with American providentialism. Adam’s rejected it, Jefferson embraced it.” A Perfect Coincidence” underscores how this question and others influenced them in their collaborations and opposition and their unique friendship.

[Jeff Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard about it years before we could simply check such things online: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4th, 1826 – the 50th anniversary of the country’s founding… It sounded like an urban legend.

However, as Jim Rasenberger shows in “A Perfect Coincidence: The Extraordinary Friendship and Astonishing Deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson,” the event not only happened, but was so significant it literally popularized the near-unknown word “coincidence.”

“We all know how this tale ends,” Rasenberger writes in the book’s prologue, “but it’s a suspense story.”

He’s right. Of the many books released during the nation’s 250th, “A Perfect Coincidence” outlines the before, during and after of America’s founding with a kind-of expansive brevity, i.e., the range of subjects is staggering, but rarely gets bogged-down in particulars. We’ve even got guest stars (Carl Jung, Edgar Allen Poe) and shout-outs to other scholars (Joseph Ellis, Jill Lepore).

Of course, at the heart of the narrative is the friendship between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The two men were fundamental opposites in many ways, yet their decades-long correspondence testifies to the most important thing they shared: few others could relate to their pointy-headedness.

As for the book itself, Rasenberger has two preoccupations the reader will hear about: One, is the role – real or perceived – of divinity and providence in America’s being. Two, is slavery—slavery, slavery, slavery! This man loves writing about slavery, and there’s no aspect of America’s first 100 years that Rasenberger can’t somehow bring back to it (to his credit, though, he describes Jefferson’s relationship with Sally Hemmings more evenhandedly than I’d expected).

So that’s about it. Indeed, if you’re looking for a new, American history book to coincide with America’s semiquincentennial (God that’s awkward!), the readable “A Perfect Coincidence” fits the bill.

[James Varney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, engaging history. This is far from some dry biography, and it fills in a lot of gaps in basic knowledge about two of the titans of American independence. Adams and Jefferson were brilliant, accomplished men, and their consequential roles among the founders are familiar to us, but “A Perfect Coincidence” makes both men human. To give one example of my own ignorance, I did not realize how close the two men were in the aftermath of the Revolution when both were U.S. diplomats in France and England. Nor did I realize what formidable women Abigail Adams or the Adams’s daughter and daughter-in-law (also a future First Ladt) were.

Rasenberger has lots of good anecdotes that illustrate how Adams could be cantankerous and his own worst enemy, or how Jefferson wrestled with the unsolvable conflict between the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and slavery. The writer of that profound document, American president, and founder of UVA was also a large slaveholder who fathered a whole second family with Sally Hemings (a name I’d always misspelled).

And all this rolls beautifully. “A Perfect Coincidence” is a smooth, pleasurable read- just the kind of book for a long holiday weekend.

* - I note for the record the author is my brother-in-law, but every word here is sincere. I think even readers who don’t often turn to with history or the U.S. will enjoy it. Highly recommended.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Blaine DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!

[Sharon Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jared Goerke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant to pick up a copy because I felt that everything that was needed to be said about their relationship had been said. I saw the author speak at the Gold Coast Book Fair back in May and felt after hearing him speak that this would be something new. I was satisfied with the new angle he brought to the friendship and rivalry and really did find myself enjoying this book. One thing holding me back from five stars is that at times it's slowed down almost to connect pieces between the fascinating stuff. Overall a worthwhile read!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Travis Meza · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Bob T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable and informative double biography of the public service lives of Adams and Jefferson and how intertwined they were and how their influence lasted long past their nearly simultaneous deaths. Their persistent, if not continuous friendship, in spite of significant political differences, is an example our leaders of today would be wise to follow.

[Artymesia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and well balanced story about the on again off again bromance between Adams and Jefferson. Rasenberger's two stated goals are to trace the concept of Providence and its influence on the evaluation of Divine Providence and American Exceptionalism; and to detail the tension between slavery and Jefferson's soaring language in The Declaration of Independence. We often like to dismiss the forefathers are simply "men of their time" when contending with the ongoing protection of slavery, but it was a matter of remarkably angst for Jefferson and many others. And that tension deeply impacted the development of the early United States. At the end, though, it's about the very human John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Rasenberger does very well in depicting them with all their brilliance and shortcomings. Well apprecaited.

[Kerstin Kohlhepp · Rating 5 out of 5]

*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.

[Linda K. McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Lou Chodosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jo Matey · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Garret Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Enjoyable to read but not a lot of new territory being covered here. After reading bios on both Adams and Jefferson, this served a great recap, putting a period on their friendship and coincidental deaths.

[Tony Benningfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this

[Bridget Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loads of primary sources that were challenging to read. A bit long winded but still decent.

[Art · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was expecting a history book about two great founding fathers. Unfortunately the forward by the author showed it to be a political diatribe intended to push his personal political beliefs.