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

History tends to cast the early years of America in a glow of camaraderie, when there were, in fact, many conflicts between the Founding Fathers—none more important than the one between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Their disagreement centered on the highest, most original public office created by the Constitutional Convention: the presidency. It also involved the nation's foreign policy, the role of merchants and farmers in a republic, and the durability of the union. At its root were two sharply different visions of the nation's future. Acclaimed historian Thomas Fleming examines how the differing characters and leadership styles of Washington and Jefferson shaped two opposing views of the presidency—and the nation. This clash profoundly influenced the next two centuries of America's history and persists in the present day.

About the Author :
Thomas Fleming is a distinguished historian and the author of more than fifty books. A frequent guest on PBS, A&E, and the History Channel, Fleming has written for American Heritage, MHQ, and other magazines. He lives in New York City.

Review :
Advance praise for The Great Divide "Historians often speak of the conflict between Jefferson and Hamilton. Tom Fleming rightly focuses on Jefferson and Washington, for it was in the nexus of their competing visions of the nation's destiny that the United States truly took shape. In this superb book, Fleming compellingly captures the drama of this clash of titans, showing how its outcome made the difference between national ruin and prosperity."--Edward G. Lengel, Director, Papers of George Washington and author of General George Washington, A Military Life "George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both tall Virginians who made curcial contributions to winning American independence. But they were otherwise polar opposites, with wildly diverging visions of their fledgling nation's destiny. In The Great Divide, Thomas Fleming quarries a lifetime's study of America's turbulent Founding Era to recount a character-clash waged against the backdrop of chronic domestic discord and overshadowed by blood-soaked revolution in France. The author's robust prose leaves no doubt where his own sympathies lie, but all readers of history will relish his gripping exploration of a conflict between realism and idealism that still resonates today."--Stephen Brumwell, author of George Washington: Gentleman Warrior and winner of the George Washington Book Prize "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." 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." 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." Midwest Book Review, May 2015 "Moves beyond the usual historical approach to early American history that centers on the nation's conflicts with Great Britain to investigate the animosity between two key Founding Fathers of the nation...Offers an intriguingly personal viewpoint of events and politics and makes sense of the nation's courses of action. No American history holding should be without this analysis." “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.” Praise for The Great Divide "Historians often speak of the conflict between Jefferson and Hamilton. Tom Fleming rightly focuses on Jefferson and Washington, for it was in the nexus of their competing visions of the nation's destiny that the United States truly took shape. In this superb book, Fleming compellingly captures the drama of this clash of titans, showing how its outcome made the difference between national ruin and prosperity."—Edward G. Lengel, Director, Papers of George Washington and author of General George Washington, A Military Life "George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both tall Virginians who made curcial contributions to winning American independence. But they were otherwise polar opposites, with wildly diverging visions of their fledgling nation's destiny. In The Great Divide, Thomas Fleming quarries a lifetime's study of America's turbulent Founding Era to recount a character-clash waged against the backdrop of chronic domestic discord and overshadowed by blood-soaked revolution in France. The author's robust prose leaves no doubt where his own sympathies lie, but all readers of history will relish his gripping exploration of a conflict between realism and idealism that still resonates today."—Stephen Brumwell, author of George Washington: Gentleman Warrior and winner of the George Washington Book Prize 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.”