Rating: 
Summary: extremely well written and detailed
Review: I'm not even a history buff and I loved this book. Though much of the history will be common knowledge, for me I had to fill in a lot of gaps. Almost as interesting as Adam's life was surrounding period details of the time -- travelling overseas in sickening journeys to Europe, the diet, the daily activities of New England farmers, life in France and England, etc... McCollough gives us a history of the age and times as well. The chapters on France are fascinating as well as Adams' travels to Amersterdam and England. I was surprised to find that Abigail emerged as even more of a heroic figure than Adams at times. Their close relationship, even through their many illesses was one of the most illuminating and inspirational parts of the book. A great read.
Rating: 
Summary: An A&E Biography
Review: I thought the book was too much an A&E Biography. It was written by an admirer and failed to cover in much depth some very questionable aspects of the Adams story. The Alien and Sedition Acts, an attempt by federalist to silence the Republicans via imprisonment, got an apologetic paragraph. His midnight judicial appointments merited a paragraph. I don't remember anything from the book on how Adams mistrusted Washington during the War, how he wanted to control the war department, yet failed to muster funding for the army. And did Adams have a role in the Conway Cabal? If a pleasant reading of history is what you want, this book is it.
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Summary: An inspiring look at the founding of this country....
Review: This is a marvelously readable book. It gives incredible insight into the visions, motives and goals of the founding fathers. In a time when we are too apt to take our liberties for granted, or when it is politically expedient to neglect study of the revolutionaries in favor of later activitists, this book clearly and appropriately acknowledges the sacrifices of these leaders without which the following notables would have nothing to build on. The devotion of Abigail to her family and her part in history is compelling. Adams' emphasis on reading and education should be a cornerstone for us all. I kept a separate log of quotations from Adams, his wife and Thomas Jefferson. Amazing how they remain so timely today. I dreaded reading the final chapter. I cried when he died. I'm thankful he lived and that this book recorded his life so intimately. It is our loss not to know these remarkable (although not perfect) leaders better. "Posterity who are to reap the blessings will scarecely be able to conceive the hardships and sufferings of their ancestors." Abigail Adams, March 1777. This is a wonderful place to start remembering, appreciating and never, never forgetting.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Work on John Adams
Review: This is an outstanding book. One of the best history books I've ever read. It almost reads like a novel. I've found it hard to put down.
Rating:
Summary: David McCullough Never Disappoints
Review: Another magnificent book by a master storyteller. After finally finishing this book I couldn't help but ask..."where are all the great leaders today?" The portrait of John Adams is insightly and intimate. Primarily because of McCullough's liberal use of private letters from Abigail Adams to her husband. Another special dimension of this book is the unique relationship between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. I enjoyed this book tremendously.
Rating:
Summary: What a terrific book!
Review: I found it difficult to put this book down! If you are a fan of historical biography (or just history in general) this book is a MUST READ. I felt that Mr. McCullough painted a very thorough portrait of John Adams, covering in great detail his incorruptible spirit as well as his character flaws. I felt as if I personally knew John and Abigail Adams after reading this book, enough so that I actually felt a touch of sadness at the mention of their deaths toward the end. I had no idea that John Adams contributed so much to the United States during his political service. Most history classes and books cover a lot of material about Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, etc., but little is mentioned of Adams. I learned so much about one of U. S. history's much-overlooked patriots. A few words of caution: there are some situations in this book which paint some negative images of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, and I would suggest reading biographies of both of these men as well in order to get a different view (and opinion) of them, just so you can possibly get both sides of the story. This book is a very worthy read!
Rating: 
Summary: finely crafted biography
Review: Although Adams was an ardent supporter of unpopular causes for most of his adult life, starting with his defense of the British soldiers in the Boston Massacre, and continuing with his ardent revolutionary fervor, he seems to me to have been somewhat lost in Paris, though his single most fervent aspiration,the involvement of the French Navy in the American Revolutionary War, did come to pass, at last. He seems to be somewhat victimized by his Puritan upbringing which carried with it a narrowness of outlook, or a certain prudery in the face of the sophisticated French. Both Jefferson and Franklin come across as much better able to cope with Paris' sophisticated outlook;
Jefferson with his antique-buying expeditions, and Franklin with his womanizing. Until the arrival of his wife Abigail in Paris, Adams was a somewhat under-appreciated recluse. But the fact is, in the end, Adams got the job done, and the Americans won the war. Later, Adams as president was again underappreciated, in fact castigated by the press and his own Cabinet. Jefferson, in his total support of the violent French Revolution, comes across as more politically aware than Adams; Adams viewed Jefferson as a shameless opportunist, even leaving the White House early on the morning of Jefferson's inauguration to avoid meeting with him. I think in large part Adams performance in his later life was based on his early Puritan upbringing.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: Loved the book - very informative. Reads like a novel!
Rating:
Summary: Adams makes for a magnanimous subject
Review: This work of non-fiction is nothing short of brilliant. McCulloch brings his subject to the forefront of the revolution and beyond, with a personal account formed from letters and personal journals kept by some of the greatest and most influential men and women of this blossoming republic. Starting with the early days when England ruled, and Adams was a member of the Massachusetts bar, where he was remembered for his part in the defense of the British soldiers after the Boston Massacre. Though this affected his popularity in a negative way, Adams believed that all men had the right to a defense. His strict countenance to abide by what is just and good would serve him well in later years, where his heartfelt pleas for independence in 1776 were part of what made this nation great. Adams oration on the floor in Philadelphia moved men's souls setting the stage for one of the greatest dramas in history, the American Revolution. The writings of his wife Abigail Adams permeate the piece, an intelligent and eloquent woman, John thought of her not only as his friend and lover, but also as his equal. She stood faithfully by his side, and deserves to be remembered for her steadfast support of Adams on his mission to move this great nation forward. It was the sections where Abigail came to light that made this book more than a book of history, it brought a sense of humanity to the subject that is easier to understand on the readers level, since the things that these men were a part of were so great, and far beyond the undertakings of our daily lives. It is John and Abigail together that made him real for me. The friendship between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams is a large part of this book. Presented again through letters they shared and journal entries; there were times when their politics differed and their friendship lagged. In their later years they were to make amends and become great friends, writing and discussing the state of the nation as well as personal news. They would both die on the same day of the same year July 4,1826 the 50th year anniversary of our Independence. This, I found to be quite remarkable. I picked up this book because of its continued ability to grace the New York Times Bestsellers list, almost expecting a fairly dry account of one of our founding fathers. I was greatly surprised by the telling of a personal story of greatness, a love story, a passion for learning, strength, and belief in the American way, which Adams so graciously helped to put into action for generations to come. This is a superb book well researched and deftly put together. Kelsana 6/15/02
Rating: 
Summary: Sloppy, Lazy Work from a great author
Review: We feel compelled to weigh in on this one since it was such a runaway best-seller during the summer of 2001. David McCullough (of Truman fame) is one of our favorite authors, and it pains us to see him on autopilot like this. A biography should be more than a convenient arrangement of the subject's personal correspondence. Yet McCullough relies almost entirely on President Adams (quite voluminous) diaries and letters to his wife. The only supporting material seems to left over from a book on Jefferson McCullough abandoned. Read this if you want to know what being John Adams was like. Don't read it if you have any interest in gaining insight into how his life fit into the great drama of the founding of America. [HistoryHouse.com]
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