Adams vs. Jefferson and Liberty, Equality and Power - Essay Example

of the of the Comparative book reviews of Adams vs. Jefferson and Liberty, Equality and Power Adams vs. Jefferson:The focus of ferling's Adams vs. Jefferson lies not only on the events and political scheming encircling the fiercely contested presidential election of 1800 but it also is an outstanding learning of the political scenario, throughout the early national period. A large section of the book portrays the Election of 1800 as the culmination of a political movement which witnesses the obliteration of the Revolutionary consensus, increase in activity of prepared ideologically guided parties.

Ferling engages the reader through his detailed and appealing narrative, simultaneously describing the political imperatives of that era. The book takes the reader into the contextual depths of the election. Ferling explains that the election of 1800 was actually a tumultuous clash of two different campaigns, both at their pinnacles; this clash actually led to the crisis which set the US political stability on the verge collapse. (Pound)Liberty, Equality and Power:A superb analysis of the interaction between economic, social, moral, political, cultural and ideological factors has been inked in the book, explaining how these factors made the late 1850s such a chaotic period.

The book covers the whole of social history, particularly in terms of ethnicity. The book offers its readers a comprehensive and brief understanding of the journey undertaken by America which transformed the country of hunters and farmers to a mightiest industrial nation existing on this earth. The author draws the comprehension of the reader by narrating the story of three major themes running throughout the history: liberty, equality and power. This approach not only elaborates the effects of the ideas of liberty and equality but also describes how the toppling balance of power has affected and got affected by the roused leading subordinate classes and groups.

(Powell's Books)Comparison and Contrast:Both the authors are of the same point of view that the election of 1800 was revolutionary and it was a milestone in the achievement of democracy in US. Both the books agree that the time of election of 1800 was a tough one for the US stability as it not only faced threats from France and Britain but also from inside its own political system. It is quite obvious from Ferling's point of view that he has held a biased opinion against John Adams which has obstructed him on portraying the election of 1800 accurately.

Throughout the book, the balance tips towards Jefferson, shadowing the importance of Hamilton and Adams in maintaining the stability of the country which unfortunately is not thorough history. However 'Liberty, Equality and Power' lays more importance on the historical facts rather than personal opinions. Murrin holds a broader view and his treatment of both the personalities is impartial and he tells the significance of both in equal and fair measure and clearly explains what impact they made individually and collectively on the election of 1800.

Ferling does not mention the importance and the role which Hamilton plays as Hamilton has only been characterized as a person who was politically ambitious and yearned for only power and money. 'Liberty, Equality and Power' disagrees on Ferling's point of view regarding Hamilton. It explains in the chapter "Hamilton Economics" and "Hamilton vs. Jefferson" the role which Hamilton played in the revolutionary time of election of 1800 and his opposition to Jefferson in detail unlike Ferling which portrays him as a side character.

Murrin says in his book that although Hamilton had his political ambitions yet he worked on philosophical terms for creating a nationally and an economically strong country. Ferling leaves an impression on the reader that Adams was not as great a leader as Jefferson who is shown as a hero who brought about Democracy in US. Ferling puts forward the idea that the U.S. and France did not go to war was purely accidental, he portrays Adams as an antagonist of freedom, equality and justice.. Murrin however disagrees with Ferling on this point and says in his book that Adams did as much for US stability as Jefferson.

He explains that Adams was the one, who during his presidency limited the powers of a president and says that US and France would have gone on a war if it had not been for the efforts of Adams.Both the books are a sea of knowledge and enlightenment of US history and undoubtedly a lesson for anyone who wants to learn something from history! Works CitedPound, John Wedgwood. Studies today online. 14 November 2005. 19 April 2008 .Powell's Books. 19 April 2009 .