John Adams

Rating:
Summary: Reads like a novel, educates like a text book
Review: JOHN ADAMS is a marvelous pleasure: a love story, political thriller, historical saga. Not only do we learn about the facinating life of our underappreciated 2nd president, but we encounter little known facts--sometimes highly comical--that we might not have known: for instance, the night that Adams and Franklin shared a bed arguing over whether to open or close the window, or a Thomas Jefferson who preached frugality but couldn't resist purchasing every item that captured his fancy, even when he couldn't afford to do so, among so many others.

The writing and uses of sources are spectacular: simply a delight.

Rating:
Summary: A Man of Honor
Review: To say John Adams courted unpopularity would be inaccurate. But he certainly was no stranger to it. "While conscience claps, let the world hiss!" said Adams.
The man who would eventually be the second President of the United States represented the British soldiers who fired on American civilians during the "Boston Massacre" of 1770. And he got all but one of them acquitted.
He knew what he was doing, and he did it anyway. Adams represented the soldiers, and their commanding officer, because he believed every person should have the right to a fair trial.
That is a perfect example of the kind of man Adams was: utterly ruled by principle and determined to do what he believed what was right, public opinion be damned.
Largely due to that quality, Adams is an American hero of seismic proportions. His part in the revolution of the United States of America is rivaled by few, if any.
This reader didn't know how great a man Adams was. This sizable book has likely enlightened many other readers similarly.
The book jacket accurately boasts that McCulloch writes "from the inside" of history. It's true. The book is a page-turner and exquisitely written.
McCulloch takes the dusty pages of American History and breathes life into them, telling us, as any good writer does, a story-Adams' story.
It is one of a plain, industrious, sharp-minded man who stepped onto the stage of history at a crucial time, and who outshone all others not because of his abilities but because of his character.
This book is worth the read for the history it gives alone. Our country was founded against the greatest of odds, and by men of great courage and skill. It is to our shame that we are ignorant of this.
Adams wrote in May of 1776, weeks before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, "When I consider the great events which are passed, and those greater which are rapidly advancing, and that I may have been instrumental of touching some springs, and turning some wheels...I feel an awe upon my mind which is not easily described."
It is not easily described, but McCulloch's
spectacular book helps us understand it quite well.
"Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives," said Adams. The difference between Adams and other men was that he really believed this, and his life reflected it.
His decisions were always made for the good of America, even, sometimes regrettably, to his own family's detriment. His son Charles became an alcoholic and died at age 30, leaving a wife and two children behind.
Adams was by no means neglectful of his family. Rather, he was a loving father and husband, who was gone for long periods of time during the Revolution. His absence had an inevitable effect.
While Adams appears to have been a great man with some weaknesses, this book gives a much less flattering portrait of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson comes off as a spineless, immoral coward of a man. He appears to have been brilliant but vile.
McCulloch's work also reminds us that as glorious as the Revolution was, some things never change. From America's inception, party politics has been the norm. In fact, it seems the mudslinging and backbiting was far more malicious during Adams' day. If nothing else, the insults were delivered more eloquently.

Rating:
Summary: superbly written, a must read.
Review: This book has to be one of the best written historical biographies ever. John Adams, a little known President, sandwiched in between two very Charismatic presidents, that of Washington and Jefferson, comes out on top after reading this book. Very rich in History, yet McCullough does not go overboard with facts and the such. A beautifully written story of a mans life as well. Don't let the 650pg book overwhelm you it is a very good story to read and is not boring at all.

Rating:
Summary: Half Who Cares, Half Excellent
Review: The second half of this book rated four stars. But I had to rate the book lower because the first half was such a disappointment, so full of details about Europe that did not seem to me to add to the story of John Adams at all. Rather than speak of the American Revolutionary War or how Adams felt about the need for American independence, the first half of the book goes on and on and on about Paris parties and risque women, English gardens, and Dutch sewer systems. The book mentions (although barely) why the United States was losing battles, why General Washington withdrew troops, but there is no explanation of why the United States won or, specifically, what John Adams did to contribute to that.

I got the impression that John Adams was a bore because the book did not describe in enough detail just why his life in Europe was so important to the United States that he found it necessary to leave his children's (all but his first born) upbringing, first, to his wife, alone, then to relatives. It left me wondering, why would someone who was willing to sacrifice so much for his country not find it important to raise his children? When the two that were most neglected (my word) came to such awful ends later in their lives, I wondered if their choices might have been more like those of John's first-born son if John had given more of himself to them.

But the second half of the book rates four stars. John is back in United States, actually living what he spent 10 years in Europe for. It still doesn't get five stars, in my opinion, because, although better than the first half, the second half still lacks enough detail about why he made the decisions he did.

I think this last half must be the reason other reviewers rate the book so highly, though. I learned that, in spite of all the reverence today that we feel toward the founding fathers and their ideals, their politics were often dirty, too. They debated, it appears, as strongly as we do today, on how the country should proceed, and it often got nasty. Yet, here we still are. The country hasn't gone to hell, as is so often predicted nowadays; we've survived and prospered.

Rating:
Summary: It is all about America
Review: McCullough, McCullough, McCullough............that says it all. His work on John Adams defies words. McCulloughs effort at bringing Adams alive in the 21st century is certainly not wasted.

One can only wonder what direction this country would have taken if it had not been for John Adams and his unique ability to look into the future.

John Adams, husband, father, statesman, diplomat and visionary was the true architect in the laying of the foundation of this great country.

Rating:
Summary: John Adams
Review: John Adams by David McCullough is an engaging educational book about the man and his times. Through letters that Adams wrote to his wife and other prominent men of the times, we see John Adams thinking and wondering, worrying about uncertainty for the country that he so loved.

Adams was not born to riches, he worked hard to get what he had. Some today might call him a work-a-holic, but his hard nosed New England character carried him far. To Philadelphia and later to France, to Holland then England, he managed to meet Kings and courts, all along touting the virtues of freedom and independence for the birth of a new nation.

Adams was not the most beloved of the Founding Fathers. He was the butt of jokes, his temper and stubornness usually got in the way. When he was most successful was when he could put these attributes to work for him. The author helps to put us in the life and times of John Adams, like if being there by his side all the time.

The descriptions of the events transpired thoughout the book are steller. Events between Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay and his son John Quincy Adams are all well written. We not only see John Adams but as the others saw Adams though their eyes via leters.

This is a rock solid work of import, well documented and a flowing narative that makes reading history fun and enjoyable.

I highly recommend reading it.

Rating:
Summary: we should be proud of john adams and his work for america
Review: John Adams was a progressive, innovative, and faithful founding father. We should be proud of the work he did for the US and his lifelong dedication to the US. He sacrificed his family time to help make the US independent and strong. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Sacrifices for Liberty
Review: An excellent book that really pulls you through the story. Like some other readers I became very emotional when Adams and Jefferson are finally taken away from us. I was impressed with the way Adams and other historical figures, like Jefferson for example, are presented with their good points as well as bad. This book makes you think deeply about the outstanding accomplishments and sacrifices of the many people who forged this nation. Probably only those who gave their lives sacrificed more than John Adams did for the sake of liberty and this country.

Rating:
Summary: Great book. I'm left with a good feeling.
Review: I have just finished listening to the audio-book version of John Adams. The book gave great detail in it's historical accounts, but still moved along at a nice pace. I'm left with a very warm feeling for John Adams.

Rating:
Summary: An Important Book With a Wonderful Love Story
Review: What a marvelous book! David McCullough has never disappointed me. I honestly believed that Mr. McCullough could not top "Truman", but he has with "John Adams". The story is fascinating & the writing is superb.This should be mandatory reading for all Americans.And the Adams' love story that is brought to life through their very personal correspondence is nothing short of spectacular. I learned so much while reading this book. I highly recommend "John Adams".