Imaginary Friendship in the American Revolution: John Adams and Jonathan Sewall: 3 (Perspectives on Early America)

Book Details

• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

• Author: Colin Nicolson

• Language: English

• Edition: 1

• ISBN: 9781138703827

• Pages: 224

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches

About the Book

Imaginary Friendship presents a captivating exploration of the American Revolution's early days through the lens of a unique and thought-provoking friendship. This in-depth study centers on two influential figures: John Adams, future US president, and Jonathan Sewall, a leading Loyalist. Through their evolving relationship, the book weaves a compelling narrative about how these two men shaped not only each other’s personal trajectories but also the political landscape of colonial America.

Part biography, part political history, Nicolson's work delves into their intertwined lives, offering fresh insights into how their ideological and personal conflicts were pivotal in the lead-up to the American Revolution. The study also sheds light on the role of discourse in shaping political thought, revealing how Adams’s presumption of Sewall's authorship of the Loyalist tracts Massachusettensis deeply influenced Adams’s own political writings, particularly his magnum opus, Novanglus.

In this remarkable examination, Nicolson unravels the complexities of their friendship and its impact on the course of history, exploring the personal stakes behind Adams's presumption that Sewall was his adversary and why he was compelled to respond. A must-read for those interested in American history, political thought, and the personal dimensions of the Revolutionary era.