John Adams

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Summary: At Heart, A Simple Massachusettes Farmer!!!
Review: Once in a generation or so, a history or biography will be written that will entirely change public perception of a famous man or event in history. John Adams by David McCullough is such a book, so packed with new insight and wisdom into the life of our second president, that public perception is slowly (ever so slowly) changing about the man and his place in history. Even after 200 years, the name John Adams still stirs great passions in those who would study our early history: was he in fact, despite his often gruff, boisterous exterior, at heart a very simple, humble farmer from Massachusettes, or was he merely "obnoxious and disliked," (as the musical 1776 would have you believe) and inferior to the great Thomas Jefferson as both a man and a world leader? McCullough presents Adams as a fallable man, warts and all so to speak, who accomplished many great things (writing the Massachusettes constitution, his geat diplomatic work in Europe) as well as his obvious failures (the ill-advised Alien and Sedition acts, under which anyone who spoke treason against the President or country would be fined). Drawn primarily from the voluminous Adams Papers, a lifetime of correspondence between Adams, his often-heroic wife Abigail, his "good" son John Quincy, and the kindly-but-politically-minded Jefferson, among others, what emerges is a very real human being, confident but torn by doubt, a man who possessed great love for his wife, farm, and country, but who often could not trust the leaders of his own party. Two relationships stand out: Adams and his wife Abigail, a pillar of common sense and resourcefulness, but a woman more fragile than she often let on; and Adams and Jefferson, whose mutual loves of farming, American Independence, and the great philosophers gradually overcame their political differences and, with the aid of mutual friend and fellow Declaration signer Dr. Benjamin Rush, rekindle a warm friendship in their old age. Yes, all this and Ben Franklin, too; the elder sage comes off a shade more manipulative than his usual image as the agreeable old grandfather of the Revolution. In sum, John Adams is a thoroughly researched, thoroughly worthwhile biography so enjoyable as to engage the reader time and again, while quite possibly restoring the public image of one of America's greatest early patriots.

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Summary: DON'T READ THIS!!!!!!!!!
Review: After reading this book, I wanted to jump off a cliff. The only problem was, I live in the plains. This book is HORRIBLE, filled with useless information on the love life of Fat John Adams and his sick wife. Do I care about them? NO! I read this book for the politics, or thought I would, not romance. I would recommend this book to anyone who is on the verge of suicide, and needs something to push them over the edge.

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Summary: All about Adams, Adams and Adams
Review: David McCollough may be our best living biographer. In this book he explores the life of not only John Adams, but of the remarkable Abigail and John Quincy as well. Adams, like his friend?opponent/friend Thomas Jefferson, was a man formed as much by his own hand as by his birthplace. McCollough's story exams the miraculous events that created, sustained and completed the American revolution through the stories of John and Abigail Adams and their relationships and interactions with Jefferson and many of their other contempories, like Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton and George Washington. While describing the Adams's relationships and interactions with many of the founding fathers and the high and mighty of the time, McCollough explores some of the relationships with their more modest New England neighbors. In the throes of major domestic and foriegn policy difficulties, John Adams sometimes expressed regret that he had not become a shoemaker. McCollough illustrates vividly for us what we and the world might have lost than a lesser man than Adams been assigned and elected to his many and varied posts in revolutionary times. A marvelous book. In a class with Helen Drinker Bowen's "Miracle at Philadelpha". wfh

Rating:
Summary: Questionable Objectivity, Good Writing
Review: It's said that all biographers fall in love with their subjects, but McCullough is particularly guilty of this. The book is well-written and comprehensive, but McCullough skews the book too much in Adams' favor, lauding his accomplishments but minimizing some major flaws in his character and career (admiration for monarchy, distrust of popular democracy (including forcible suppression of his enemies), and his Alien and Sedition Acts that subverted the Bill of Rights). McCullough shows the same fawning admiration and lack of balance in his biography of Harry S. Truman.

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Summary: A revisionist view of American history
Review: What I found most fascinating about this book, aside from the fact that it offers an exquisite portrayal of the second president and a phenomenally well-written and engaging narrative, was the way in which McCullough essentially rewrote the popular version of American history. Thomas Jefferson has long been hailed as one of the country's preeminent thinkers, politicians and Renaissance men. These perceptions remain true, of course, but McCullough manages to provide readers with a rarely seen look at Jefferson by detailing his many personal and professional inadequecies, as well as his many triumphs. As for Adams, McCullough shows us another side of the often-overlooked second president and turns the tables on popular perceptions of Adams by shedding light on the motivations behind his choices (such as the extremely unpopular Alien & Sedition Act).

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Summary: From a student
Review: David McCullough has created an inspiring novel on our second president. This long piece of work contains fascinating information on John Adams. The book starts with his childhood and early days at Harvard. Later, David goes into great detail on John Adams' love life with his wife Abigail. He also describes the part Adams takes in the Continental Congress. The end of the book details his stressful presidency.
A person who enjoys learning about U.S. history would be intrigued by this novel on John Adams. I guarantee if you read this book you will learn much more about the life of John Adams then you know now. Before I read this novel, all I knew about the man was that he was our second president, he represented Massachusetts in the Continental Congress, and that his wife's name was Abigail. The book was extremely informative, and has thoroughly expanded my knowledge of the Adams' presidency. I know about the stress in his life, his young years, and his relationship with other political figures, such as, Thomas Jefferson. I also read inspiring speeches from people such as, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams. Benjamin Franklin said in regarding the revolution, "We must hang together or separate." What he means is that all the colonies must become one and work together, or we have no hope of winning this war. I thought that statement was very clever. John Adams said when a person performs upon a stage it is more important what the audience thinks of his performance than how he thinks he performed. However, in life it is how one believes they have lived their life, not what anyone else believes. In life, the biggest applause means nothing. I believed completely on what John Adams said, it makes so much sense. We have to live with our decisions and our actions and it does not matter what others many think of us.
Someone interested in learning about John Adams or American history must read this book by an award winning author. If you are not interested in history, and more interested in action based novels, you may find this novel a bit slow going. There isn't much of a plot, or any action at all through the entire novel. The book is fairly slow and is not as interesting as it is factual based. This novel has not become famous for its page turning style, or intriguing rising action. It is known for its good description on John Adams's life.
There was little action and hardly any points in the novel that made you deeply interested in reading more. However, I enjoyed reading it, and I'm glad that I read it. I learned much more about our second president, and about other political figures from the 1700s. I enjoyed the quotes that I have never heard before from people such as, Ben Franklin. I liked how I could compare the book to present day life. For instance, John Adams wrote in his journal how life was just passing him by and how he felt like he wasn't doing anything big. I kind of feel like that myself. I enjoyed how later in his life he figured out what he was going to do with his life and he did it. He became a politician. I enjoyed hearing the details of his inner life in his diary, and then how he really acted on the outside. His thoughts on life were very fascinating. Although the book had little action, it did have some very interesting details about John Adams that many readers will find interesting and may not have read elsewhere.
If you are interested in learning more about John Adams, I encourage you to pick up this book and read some of it. You will enjoy learning more about this amazing man. However, this book may not be for everyone. It is a detailed account of John Adams' life and some people may find it boring.

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Summary: Great Book About and Undervalued Patriot
Review: The story of John Adams as portrayed by David McCullough is an indespensible read for true scholars of the American Revolution. Its 650 pages breeze by as it closely follows the life of John Adams in great detail and rebuffs some of the less than laudatory remarks made about John Adams in other portrayals of the American Revolution. John Adams is a true patriot in every sense of the word. His dedication to the Revolution, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, ethics, and the formation of balanced governance in the United States is second to none. David McCullough expertly brings both Adams' character and value to our country to life in vivid and accurate depiction.

Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: David McCullough has done a great service to the citizens of the US by writing this book. First of all, it is an extremely well written biography. By the end of the book, one cannot help but feel that they know the Adams family intimately. Beyond giving us personal insights into the life of a great patriot, McCullough fashions a vivid look into the birth pangs of a fledgling republic. It drives home the extent of the sacrifices our founding fathers made in securing 'the blessings of liberty' for their posterity. In a land where, until recently, patriotism was sneered at, this book could do as much as any to rekindle a fire of civic responsibility and a sense of loyalty to country. Finally, McCullough brings out the fact that religion played a great role in shaping the thoughts that led to our laws and system of government. It is a fact long overlooked and in need of restoration to prominence if we are to understand the underpinnings of our republic.

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Summary: One of the best biographies I have read.
Review: First of all this biography reads really well, its not dry. And it is about one of the greatest Americans. I was amazed at the contributions President Adams made to our country. I am inspired now to go on and read more about President Jefferson.

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Summary: You Must Read This Book
Review: McCullough provides a wealth of information and in depth analysis of Adams as well as those surrounding him that is awe inspiring. I must admit that I like to read biographies, but you simply must read this book. It's not a short book, but I cannot put it down. You will be satisfied that such an incorruptible and courageous man was our first Vice President and Second President. Would that all our civic leaders were such. In this book there is excitement, daring, violence, happiness, betrayal, tragedy and much more. McCullough has succeeded in making a biography a great story that you can't put down.
READ THIS BOOK DAMNIT!