John Adams

Fascinating book. I picked this up when I went on Holiday to the States a couple of years ago. I had been wondering, in light of the then current political leaders (Bush at that time), what sort of people were they who led the US through the war of independence and wrote the declaration. What sort of men were they to think of and build such a fine and inspiring vision. How would Bush and Chaney...more

Fascinating book. I picked this up when I went on Holiday to the States a couple of years ago. I had been wondering, in light of the then current political leaders (Bush at that time), what sort of people were they who led the US through the war of independence and wrote the declaration. What sort of men were they to think of and build such a fine and inspiring vision. How would Bush and Chaney measure up to John Adams and his peers? Not that well I found out.(bush and chaney that is)   hide

If you love American history this book is a must. David McCullough is a favorite of mine and I picked this book up on strength of author only. I knew little of John Adams and this was before the HBO series (that I have yet to see). Once I began reading I could barely put it down. This is more than the story of the founding of our country. It is a love story between John and...more

If you love American history this book is a must. David McCullough is a favorite of mine and I picked this book up on strength of author only. I knew little of John Adams and this was before the HBO series (that I have yet to see). Once I began reading I could barely put it down. This is more than the story of the founding of our country. It is a love story between John and Abigail. It is the story of a young man that came up by his own bootstraps, the true American story we all admire. It is a man that had his own character flaws and a man that was not always admired or well treated. It is a man torn between duty to country and family, and the woman who supported him. It is a man of strong morals that he passed on to his son who would also become president. I wish I could give this book more than five stars.   hide

I never knew what importance John Adams' role was in shaping our country. His love for Abigail and his family is rivaled only by his love for his country. It's been said in other reviews, but I'll say it, too. I knew he and Abigail would eventually pass away, but when McCullough wrote the words "John Adams was dead." I truly experienced a sense of loss and sadness. It took...more

I never knew what importance John Adams' role was in shaping our country. His love for Abigail and his family is rivaled only by his love for his country. It's been said in other reviews, but I'll say it, too. I knew he and Abigail would eventually pass away, but when McCullough wrote the words "John Adams was dead." I truly experienced a sense of loss and sadness. It took me quite awhile to get through this book, but now that it's over, I feel richer for having read about this true American patriot.   hide

An amazing biography of an amazing President and chief advocate of the Declaration of Independence! During the birth of our young nation John Adams was sent abroad to Amsterdam to secure the first foreign loan, then to negotiate the Treaty of Paris in 1783, then to England where he was the first American ambassador. As President he lead the nation with immovable integrity at a time where...more

An amazing biography of an amazing President and chief advocate of the Declaration of Independence! During the birth of our young nation John Adams was sent abroad to Amsterdam to secure the first foreign loan, then to negotiate the Treaty of Paris in 1783, then to England where he was the first American ambassador. As President he lead the nation with immovable integrity at a time where political parties (Republicans and Federalists) rose to influential prominence, and slander and libel in the free press initially went unchecked. Adams' approval of Congress' Alien and Sedition Act put a clamp on this kind of treatment for a sitting president, however, party politics on both sides (including department heads in his own cabinet and his own vice president Thomas Jefferson) led an undermining undercurrent to defame Adams policies and character. In time of old age, Adams and Jefferson would reconcile, with both providentially and ironically passing away on the same day--July 4th, 1826--which also happened to be the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. They both were also the last living signers before their passing. More admirable than Adams' achievements in politics was his love for his family and God. McCullough paints an intimate portrait of John and Abigail from the thousands of letters written between them and to their children and grandchildren--which for me was a big takeaway. Slow to start and get into, John Adams finished very strong and I look forward to renting and watching the HBO miniseries!   hide

One of the best Historical Biographies ever written! McCullough goes inside the life of this man who loved to work on his farm, but called to fate stepped up to the plate to become a founder of our nation. The interaction - warfare between Adams and Jefferson is clearly brought home to the reader through the letters written between them, as well as the deep love and admiration shared by...more

One of the best Historical Biographies ever written! McCullough goes inside the life of this man who loved to work on his farm, but called to fate stepped up to the plate to become a founder of our nation. The interaction - warfare between Adams and Jefferson is clearly brought home to the reader through the letters written between them, as well as the deep love and admiration shared by John and his wife Abigail is poetically shared with the reading audience. I truly enjoyed reading this book, and like my father I was almost sad when I came to the end of the book.   hide

David McCullough's "John Adams" satisfies on three distinct levels: as a epic work of historical record, as a diary of a loving marriage, and as a testimony to the power and value of the written word. McCullough's panoramic narrative is based on an information lode that is pure gold: the network of letters, often written on a daily basis in the darkest of times, among the Adams...more

David McCullough's "John Adams" satisfies on three distinct levels: as a epic work of historical record, as a diary of a loving marriage, and as a testimony to the power and value of the written word. McCullough's panoramic narrative is based on an information lode that is pure gold: the network of letters, often written on a daily basis in the darkest of times, among the Adams family members -- and all the other luminaries of the era that literally changed everything. You will approach the conclusion with the same sense of dread you've felt reading your favorite novel: Don't end! I like being here too much! It is a highbrow beach read of the best sort, full of passion, intrigue, and consequence. My single question: Can Thomas Jefferson ever reclaim his former luster once this portrait of him seeps into our collective consciousness? Doubtful. But John, Abigail, and the kids have been planted firmly in the American heart at long last. Thank you, Adamses -- and David McCullough.   hide

Splendid biography of one our less glamorous founding fathers, who not only started a nation, but also a great family. Although he is often accused of vanity by his contemporary detractors throughout the book, Adams comes across as a facillator of other's greatness, promoting Washington to lead the Army, selling Jefferson's words and ideas to the Continental Congress, and encouraging John...more

Splendid biography of one our less glamorous founding fathers, who not only started a nation, but also a great family. Although he is often accused of vanity by his contemporary detractors throughout the book, Adams comes across as a facillator of other's greatness, promoting Washington to lead the Army, selling Jefferson's words and ideas to the Continental Congress, and encouraging John Quincy's scholarly ways so much so that the younger Adams became the most intelligent man ever to hold the American Presidency. Adams never seemed to get around to writing the long, stuffy autobiography expected from today's ex-Presidents. Rather, he became a prodigious letter-writer and McCullough has sifted through these to give us, the lucky readers, the hidden pieces of American history. Many from Massachusetts have set about to follow Adams footsteps to the White House and fallen short. McCullough's conclusion seems to be that it takes an incredibly supportive family to back one's ambition.   hide

David McCullough has forever transformed my perceptions of the times during which so many great men appeared at the birth of America during the Revolutionary War and, ultimately, independence from England. Among all the great men assembled to lead the colonies the man by far most important was John Adams. Of course, other outstanding leaders rose to participate in the great struggle, such as...more

David McCullough has forever transformed my perceptions of the times during which so many great men appeared at the birth of America during the Revolutionary War and, ultimately, independence from England. Among all the great men assembled to lead the colonies the man by far most important was John Adams. Of course, other outstanding leaders rose to participate in the great struggle, such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, but it was John Adams who steadied the course. He and his wife Abigail became the pillars of the American Revolution. I savored every page of John Adams and know it shall be a long time before I read another such satisfying, informative biography.   hide

This is an elegant book, drawn from the incredible correspondence and notes from the Adams collection in Boston. The book begins in the early 1760's, as the tensions with Great Britain begin to boil, and ends 60+ years later. One develops many senses--the length of time it took to cross the ocean or travel to Philadelphia; the difficulties in crafting a new government at a time before mass...more

This is an elegant book, drawn from the incredible correspondence and notes from the Adams collection in Boston. The book begins in the early 1760's, as the tensions with Great Britain begin to boil, and ends 60+ years later. One develops many senses--the length of time it took to cross the ocean or travel to Philadelphia; the difficulties in crafting a new government at a time before mass communication, and the importance of exchanging letters over a lifetime. The book really changed my perspective on the founding fathers.   hide