Imagine cooperating enough from 1765 to 1791 to produce the hot-headedness of colonial rebellion, the magnificence of the Declaration, the long-shot heroism of defeating the world's greatest navy, and the architectural inspiration of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, only to lapse almost immediately into the nastiest politics the country would ever see outside of the Civil War. Brilliant and energetic men went from blood brothers to sworn enemies overnight. It could not have been very easy on the nerves.