Rating:  Summary: History, personality and social context Review: This is an excellent book from the perspective of historical context. It does not focus on his youth but provides a brief synopsis of what made the man and set his values. It focuses on the chracter development of John, Abigail and John Quincy Adams and their relationships with key historical figures. It extends their relationships into blended threads that alter their thoughts and actions. It develops Thomas Jefferson and his intimate but dissonant relationship with the Adams' family. The book's strength is the development of characters within the context of major historical events and their political-sociological significance. The author avoids the pitfalls of smaller minds who dwell within the taxonomy of traditional historical form by not applying a formula to allot pages on life rather than by event.
Rating:  Summary: A nice alternative to the "scholarly" bios Review: I have nothing against academics who write books (though they sometimes forget that an audience should *want* to keep reading), and I sometimes enjoy the details and minutiae some such authors deliver.In the case of David McCullough's John Adams, however, I think the pathologically-serious academic/historian crowd has tellingly overreacted to the "popular" tone of the book. Oh, horrors -- McCullough wants to make history and historical figures accessible to the masses! I greatly enjoyed the look into Adams' relationship and correspondence with Abigail, who played a much larger role in early American politics than most people realized. I also found the on-again-off-again friendship between Adams & Jefferson described in a much more compelling manner than in most other similar bios I've read. Granted, it seemed at times to be more of a pro-Adams apologetic than an objective recounting of facts, but I understood that going into the book. Part of the attraction here is that McCullough humanizes Adams (and Abigail, and other figures) for the reader; even though you know the outcome of the story, you still find yourself "rooting" for Adams during critical passages! It's a huge book, but I tore through it because McCullough made it so easy to read. We all had to memorize names and dates in history class, but here it is presented in such a way that you will *want* to learn more. Congratulations to David McCullough for another grand-slam effort!
Rating:  Summary: The Best Book I Ever Read Review: This is the best book I ever read. Nothing much more to say. I recommend this as a must read for all Americans or those who study the history of our nation. Also read some other books of this time such as Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Issacs and John Paul Jones by Evan Thomas. These books all compliment one another and tell the story "full circle" of the war that gain independence for America.
Rating:  Summary: At Last, the recognition long deserved Review: Not only is David McCullough a great writer, he is a historian of the highest order. The writing is so clear, and easy to read, the story so engrosing you forget that this is a true story, and an important history lesson. It is a character study, an adventure, a love story and an exploration into the very soul of one of the most over looked and under appreciated founding fathers. I enjoyed this read so much I reccommend it to everyone who desires an unforgettable experience. You will wonder, as I do, why we have not recognized such an important historical figure with a granite memorial in Washington DC on a par with the Washington Monument, Jefferson or Lincoln Memorials, for surely John Adams' contribution was no less profound or significant than those of any of his contemoraries. I would proudly support replacing at least one of the subjects on our old, out dated coinage or currency with his image, and keep it there for the next hundred years. Wow, wow, wow.
Rating:  Summary: Refreshing view of a historic figure Review: McCullough has written a fascinating book. I was looking for a good biography to read, and "John Adams" did not disappoint. The main strength of the book is that it illustrates how Adams' relations with others changes as power and politics affect lives. Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton....we get to read about how Adams felt about all of them through various stages of his life. Most interesting is his friendship with Jefferson, which practically vanishes during Adams' administration but blossoms again when both men have long since retired (How is this for creepy: Adams and Jefferson both died on the same day, the 4th of July!). The book paints a vivid picture of the early American political sene. I was particularly interested with the vicious pamphlets and newspapers of the day. Just goes to show you that the "rabid media" is nothing new. "John Adams" is a fine book and one that has inspired me to read about other early Americans (I just ordered a John Marshall biography). You can't go wrong with Mccullough.
Rating:  Summary: The type of hero today needs. Review: David McCullough's volume was of great satisfaction to me. Mr Adams and his son John Quincy have always been personal heros of mine. Just as Amistad gave the country a look at John Quincy, Mr. McCullough give us a look at John warts and all. The warts are few. Over and over we see a man singing the praises of virtue, frugality, honesty, in short CHARACTER! I suspect that the success of this book has something to do with the times. Adams (and his son and wife) are just the type of examples and heroes we need these days. They set the example by DOING what is right and proper for the country, rather than by platitudes for public consumption (or Polls). In these times of spin (read lies and deceptions) thanks to McCullough's discovery that he and NOT Jefferson was the picture he wanted to paint, Mr. Adams and his family manage to serve their country by reminding us what we are and what we can be. The book is worthy of the praise it has recieved. I only wish every member of congress and all those who work for BOTH political parties can read it and learn. Unfortunately I suspect some will learn that the price of honesty and true public serivce is a single term and no face on Rushmore. I hope and pray that I am wrong.
Rating:  Summary: John Adams, a whale of a life Review: David McCullough presents both the life of John Adams and the era he grew from with a clarity that leaves other biographies cold. If I had to describe this book to a friend I would say it was a "page turner". I couldn't put it down for long before I found my self sneaking off to read some more. McCullough tells us the things that made John Adams unique. A family man, a country lawyer, a commited farmer, a man devoted to his children....all these factors reveal a man special for his time. Even more important is the fact that as the story of Adams is developed so is the history that molded him and that was molded by him. We are also provided valuable insights to Jefferson, Washington, Hamilton, and the early American press. Anyone who reads this book will have to become a better American because of it.
Rating:  Summary: Pulitzer quality... Review: Best book I've read this year. Worthy of another Pulitzer Prize for the author. It's as much a biography of John and Abigail Adams as it is a biography of Thomas Jefferson. The research done for this work is unparralled and this book deserves all the acclaim it is receiving and then some. The story of John Adams is the the story of America on so many different levels. History lovers and anyone who enjoys great prose should be attracted to this book. HIHGLY RECOMMENDED.
Rating:  Summary: If you are a proud USA citizen, read this. Review: JOHN ADAMS by David McCullough This biography should be required reading before the first year of college. John Adams had so much to do with the making of the America government that his story is the story of America. He helped write the Declaration of Independence and was there every step of the way to make sure it was implemented. As a signer of the document and one of the most enthusiastic and involved American for independence, he was a traitor to England and was to be put to death by the English. In none of his correspondence with the English, French and to his fellow American did he waver is his determination to see a free American. This review would not be complete without the contributions that were made throughout the book by Abigail, John Adams wife who was another prodigious letter writer. She wrote about the events that were happening and she wrote with comments. At the same time the health and well being of the family was first. Because of John's position as an envoy to France and the Dutch Court and a minister to The Court of St. James in England his wife was not with him a great deal of the time. Crossing the Atlantic in a sailing ship was a long, more than three-month adventure, and John did it twice. Later, on John's second voyage, Abigail went to him in spite of her fear of sailing the Atlantic. David McCullough kept the story interesting. This of type of biography can be very dry. It helped that John Adams was a prodigious writer--with letter in his own hand and memoriam after memoriam of every thing including his trips across the Atlantic. John Adams donated his whole life to America and its freedom for the people. Even when retired and writing again his main subject was America. To accept the job of writing a biography for John Adams and do it honestly to the memory of John Adams was an admirable project. John Adams's first test was the trial of the British Captain and the six solders that killed five men in what was then called the Boston Massacre. The 34-year-old John was to defend the Captain and the solders. He did this without letting his person feeling or the personal feeling of his American friends interfere. The captain was found not guilty and four of the solders were found not guilty. Two were found guilty of manslaughter and were branded on their thumbs. John was busy with his duties to Congress and very worried about his family when he was not there to help-which was very often. His family was living near Boston during a Smallpox plague. Dr. Zabdiel Boylston a great uncle of John Adams introduced the smallpox inoculation in America approximately 1716. An African Slave named Onesimus said that the practice had been practiced for a long time in Africa. He had a scar on his arm to prove it. Abigail, John Adams wife, had the children inoculated against Smallpox with success when it was a very new and untried procedure. One more very drastic medical problem at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of War, with the British warships already in the area. America fought the Revolution War without a president or a vice president. George Washington was the American general who reported directly to congress. John Adams was the first Vice President to George Washington who was the first President. They had not decided what John's pay would be. The two wealthiest men in the nation at this time were Franklin and Washington who both supported the idea of public officials serving without pay. John was opposed to the idea that the public officials would serve without pay besides he couldn't afford to serve under those rules. He had written earlier when he was in England that under the circumstances of not being paid, "all offices would be monopolized by the rich." David McCullough did a good job or picking out the parts of the documents which meant something to America and John Adams and belong in this biography. I really felt as thought I'd met John Adams and liked him after reading David McCullough's biography. I believe John Adams would have liked this history of his life. John Adams was a man who picked out his own weaknesses; he not only picked them out, but also attempted to correct them. I imagine that egoism will always be a problem with people in politics. John recognized it, and wrote about it as reflected in his memoirs. He had more than normal type of vanity, not the mirror type; in his case it would be called intelligence vanity, or again egoism. I will rate this at five stars. If I could give it more I would. Roger L. Lee
Rating:  Summary: An obsolute must! Review: This book is the best written material published this year! Guranteed not to disapoint. A just account of the life of our second President. Not just his political strifes, but also his personal difficulties are detailed in a very warm and human way. The story leaves you with the sense of similar struggles that we also face in our lives today, as well as the difficulty the same problems posed our fore fathers.
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