John Adams

I can't tell if this is about the guy who screwed George Washington out of a job or that guy who doesn't like to drink Merlot.

I'll be honest: prior to reading this book I knew precious little about John Adams. I assumed he was very much the "obnoxious and disliked" man portrayed in the musical 1776 who had the unfortunate task of following up George Washington as President. Yet having read David McCullough's book my viewpoint has changed thanks to this well written book.

With John Adams author David McCullough has brought one of the most overlooked founding fathers back to life. McCullough's book reads not like a biography but rather like a novel. Many biographies simply focus on the events of that person's life but not necessarily the influences upon them but that is something that McCullough does admirable. He does not simply tell us about Adams or his actions but traces the life of this amazing man.

McCullough does this is a number of ways. McCullough brings to life the various stages that Adams life played out upon with a skill usually reserved for novelists, the best examples being Philadelphia in the lead up to the Declaration being signed and Adams retirement. McCullough also makes the various people who populate the events of Adams life not just names (both famous and obscure) but true living people as well. Yet perhaps the biggest way that McCullough brings Adams to life is by making extensive use of the correspondence of Adams and his beloved wife Abigail. While Adams might be a founding father he was also a human being, an ordinary man in extraordinary times to evoke a cliché, and that is something that the correspondence that peepers the book makes clear.

With the skills of a novelist McCullough paints an amazing portrait of an amazing man. From studying the influences of Adams early life to bringing to life the various places Adams visited to the use of the correspondence of Adams and his wife Abigail, this is no ordinary biography. David McCullough's John Adams is the illumination of history and a highly readable biography.

A wonderful book. I feel I am there in Massachusetts with John & Abigail Adams, & know them both as friends. Historically thorough and complete, it should be required reading in American schools. I loved it!

Like another reviewer, my larger introduction to John Adams was through the 1970s musical "1776". I became aware of David McCullough after purchasing his (unrelated) book, also called "1776". When I saw "John Adams" on a bookstore shelf, I cracked it open and was immediately intrigued.

McCullough keeps the story moving, without dismissing details that help fill in a sense of time, place and person. The generous inclusion of personal correspondence, and not just that of the Adamses, was very beneficial in conveying (even authenticating) the motives and perspectives of the people involved. Adams was not perfect, and neither he nor McCullough ever comes close to describing him as such. But he was the essence of a good, principled man who unlike Thomas Jefferson, did not advocate standards he himself did not live by. He did not shift loyalties nor positions for political convenience. His integrity, industry and intellect are well-conveyed in this book, and it is obvious that he is to be admired for his life beyond the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Beyond Adams' story, I found it fascinating how vicious politics was very early in this country's history, and the role of the press who apparently had free rein in circulating the most libelous personal attacks to serve the ends of their preferred party. There appears to have been no provision at the time for litigation of libel, etc. (This was part of what led to the Sedition Act, which was neither conceived of nor desired by Adams. While a dark spot of his presidency, the Act must have seemed a prudent measure to him, given the untoward influence of the press in elections and appointments.) The nature of unlikely alliances, cloak-and-dagger scheming, and betrayal of ideals and people might seem a phenomenon of modern political times, especially in the recent campaign season, but the book shows how such a mood prevailed when the country was still in its infancy. In fact, it almost destroyed the nation's viability.

Another role model emerges in the person of Abigail Adams. Physically she was less robust and healthy than John, but her clarity of thought and intuition matched and often exceeded his. They truly were soulmates in the highest sense of the word.

For a study in personal courage and idealism, set in the richness of history, this book could take its place near the top.

David McCullough paints a remarkable story of one of the greatest heroes in American history, John Adams.

This underrated founding father and president finally gets his due as a devoted husband,father, and patriot, a man who did not seek great fame or honor, but had it thrust upon him. Adams emerges as a strong intellect, sharp debater, and clever diplomat,ready to engage in dangerous missions to save his country. A man does not need to be a soldier to fight for one's country.

The tome is always accessible and readable, even for a casual reader. Don't let the size intimidate you.