John Adams by David Willis McCullough (2002, Paperback)

What a fantastic way to learn about John Adams! What a great way to be introduced to excellent historical biographical writing!

McCullough is a brilliant and exciting writer. He truly makes Adams come alive, and when Adams inevitably dies at the end it is a very sad thing!

Adams is truly a hero of the Republic. A great friend, then a great rival, then a great friend again of Thomas Jefferson, Adams is undeservedly overlooked by many students of American History.

Adams the republican vs Jefferson the populist was the great debate in American history and still continues today. Adams saw the horror of the French Revolution for what it was and predicted that it would end in depravity and violence and likely cause a savage reaction which would bring about the end of the French Republic itself. He was right, Bonaparte quickly followed the French Revolution and war across europe was the result. Jefferson on the other hand embraced the French Revolution as an expression of the people's desire for liberty. How wrong he was!

Adams was a brilliant Statesman, and student of history. A wonderful family man and superb husband Adams' correspondence with his wife Abigail is a classic in American literature.

As a youth I spent many hours on the grounds of the Adams Mansion soaking up all the history there as much as is possible. McCullough does so well what so many biographers do so poorly and that is he captures the times of the subject and places the person in his rightful context. He brought me back to the grounds of "Peacefield" through his beautiful evocations of it as it hosted great people and great events.

History is best studied by understanding how historical figures lived and understood their own lives and times, as they lived them. Hind sight is an overrated tool in historiography.

Bringing the past to life in writing is a special gift and McCullough has it. Enjoy his talents and get to know the foundations of the American nation a story that is not fully known by so many. Adams' story deserves to be told. What a brilliant man, and McCullough does him superb justice in this highly readable biography.

So much can be said here about Adams, but it's not necessary as McCullough has written the definitive John Adams biography and says it better than I. Get to know John Adams through this superb book, you will be glad that you did. And your opinions on Jefferson will likely change, too! 10 STARS!!

McCullough is an excellent biographer. He tells the story completely, with the necessary background information, and beautifully entertains while doing so. Americans for the most part do not know our own history, and this will be to our great demise if we do not learn it. Pre-revolutionary American history is much lacking in our current education system (as is revolutionary and Constitutional history). Adams' biography is a great way to learn this, in unbiased and honest and fun fashion.

Excellent read. I enjoyed his 1776 & Cokie Roberts' Founding Mothers. John Adams confirmed a lot of what Cokie had written. These men depended on their wives big time. The women kept the homes & businesses going and got their people out of harms way when the war was getting close. They were amazing. But I was shocked to read about B. Franklin & T. Jefferson. I will have to look into those two closer. One thing stands out in the formation of the government. It was corrupt then with greed & back stabbing as it is now. Nothing seems to change. Very sad.

A must read for any history buff. David McCullough as usual does a wonderful job of making history come alive.

I am a history buff. In fact, I love all kinds of history especially how the USA became the country of freedom, tolerance the separation the church and state. Today, as we come to the end of a truly sad and disgusting 8 years of a President who never understood democracy. He has violated the consent and will of the people that voted. (I forgot, both elections were stolen). To read about
the calibur of men who truly served this country and compare the current leadership, should make our citizens realize how important it is to challenge authority. We should never take our freedom and rights for granted.

Adams was not a timid man and had a huge ego. However, he gave up so much of his personal happiness for the good of the new nation. He believed that rights of those accused of an and alleged crime, be given counsel. Adams was vehemently opposed to slavery. Unfortunately, he was wise to know that in order to make the break with England, the Southern states had to be accomadated. Adams knew eventually this unacceptable practice of slavery would be addressed. Compromise was essential to bring these United States together.

Adams was sent on a mission to secure diplomatic and financial aid from France. He had a difficult time dancing to the tune of diplomacy and the intricacies of the French court. Since he was a man of action, he could not tolerant anything but straight communications. When he asked a question, he expected an answer.
One could say he was a failed diplomat, although he was able to secure much needed loans from the Dutch government.

For me, I have always respected Abigail Adams. She was a women with her own mind, capabilities and enormous strength to be a farmer, mother and equal partner with her husband, John. She lived through all kinds of hardships from her husband's extended absences to the death of her young child. When Abigail told John, "don't forget the ladies", she was a women eons before her time. I cannot help but look at today's political campaign coverage of Senator Hillary Clinton and realize how women are still a subject of scorn and ridicule. How indeed, we have "forgot the ladies".

Inside this magical book, you will meet our founding fathers, the real story why America cut ties to England, historical figures and the friends and family of John Adams. Their hardships and their triumphs will be yours too. They come to life by the amazing David McCullough. When I finished the book, I felt like all the characters in the book were my new friends. It made me want to visit the John and Abigail Adams homestead in Quincy. I look forward to a visit this summer and recomend you visit the wonderful people who come to life in this fabulous tome.

Enjoy!

Gloria Kennedy Fleck
Deputy Majority Leader Emeritus
Rhode Island Senate