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Summary: HIS STORY
Review: As a Bostonian familiar with the homes of Hancock, Adams, Abigail Smith Adams, and the like to be found in our great commonwealth, I am savoring every word of this magnificent tome. This is not only the story of Adams, it is the story of America and how it came to be. To think that Adams and Winthrop stood on top of "Old Harvard Hall" and looked through a telescope at Jupiter is amazing. I am keeping a notebook as I read this book. Every American should read this book and see how our country came to be as it was actually happening. The British may get a kick out of it also, as at times many colonists refused to declare independence from the Crown. It was a narrow margin more often than we may think. We have come to take so much of our independence for granted that reading this book should ground us to the plan our forefathers meant for us and not what America has turned into.
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Summary: Life of a Patriot
Review: This book made me feel guilty. Again and again, McCullough documents the towering achievements of this founding father, of which I was sadly ignorant. This biography is truly an exemplary work of scholarship, and makes a compelling case that John Adams' stature in history deserves to be at least equal if not higher than his contemporaries, Jefferson and Washington.One suspects from this account, that Adams' personality may have had the grating effect on people that sometimes results from extreme dedication to a cause. Yet in looking at his accomplishments in an objective light, it is impossible to deny him his place as perhaps the person most responsible in both the birth of our nation, and its survival through the critical early years. This book also relates enough about Abigail Adams to arouse your affection for her and make you want to read more about her. Adams' relationships with Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton are fascinating reading. So also is the account of his son John Quincy Adams' development from childhood to statesman and President. I was astonished to feel tears in my eyes during the accounts of the deaths of Jefferson and Adams, both on the Fourth of July of 1826. McCullough's well-chosen selections from the large body of letters, diaries, and published writings of John Adams provide invaluable insight into the mind and motivations of a great man. In comparison to modern politicians, Adams' lifelong determination to place the interests of his country above those of any party, faction, region, or his personal interests, raise the image of a truly noble-hearted and wise patriot. I know of no better way to acquire a detailed sense of the history of our country over the first 50 years of its life than to trace the life and work of John Adams through this genuinely superb work by David McCullough.
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Summary: John Adams: The Forgotten Founding Father
Review: Perhaps, less is written and said about John Adams, the second President of the United States, than any of the other founding fathers. Jefferson has had extensive biographies done by any number of authors (Joe Ellis and Fawn Brodie are two that come to my mind). Other founding fathers such as Franklin and Washington have been extensively written about--and generally in a positive light. On the other hand, little has been written about Adams. David McCullough's book "John Adams" helps fill this gap. The book is generally positive about Adams. In a sense, though, the title is a misnomer because McCullough writes extensively about the other founding fathers besides Adams. At the end of the book, one has also been presented with alot of material about Hamilton, Franklin, Washington, Jefferson, Madison, etc. The book also tells us about Adams children, particularly John Quincy Adams who was also elected President for one term. Adams achievements and services on behalf of his country include his role in preparing the Declaration of Independence, his service as a diplomatic envoy to France, the Netherlands, and Great Britain, his years as Vice-President, and finally serving one four-year term as President of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Its a prodigious record and while doing all these things Adams and his family kept a voluminous record of his doings through personal correspondence that has been preserved. The book while interesting, is probably not for those who are not interested in this period of history. Its a lengthy book that relies a great deal on correspondence from the time. If one doesn't have an interest already in the Revolutionary War, the early presidencies, and the first years of America this book is probably not going to create it. McCullough's book, Truman, on the other hand is about events that occurred in the twentieth century and is so well-written that it can hold the interest of those who aren't rabid history no-it-alls. My greatest criticism of "John Adams" is that, at times, McCullough isn't critical enough of Adams. For example, during the Adams Presidency the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed and signed into law by Adams. The Sedition law actually punished journalists for exercising their first amendment rights by writing articles critical of the President and the government. Under this act, some journalists were imprisoned and fined for no greater crime than criticizing the Adams administration. McCullough makes the point, but seems to mention it more in passing and seemingly lets Adams off the hook. Actually, this is probably one of the more monumental blunders committed by a President and undoubtedly contributed to Adams defeat in office after one term. Its clear that McCullough admires the subject of his book and is loathe to attack him. I think McCullough begins the book in an interesting fashion. Rather, than detailing mundane and arcane circumstances of Adams birth and early years as a child, immediately, he instead jumps in at the beginning with Adams attending the convention in Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence was drafted. Its a good way to launch the book and will hold the interest of most readers. I enjoyed John Adams. It ranks well as a history book and as one of the better books of this year. Those with an interest in this period of time will not be disappointed.
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Summary: Men and Women will love this book.
Review: Rare is the book that appeals to both men and women and David McCullough has done this with this book that will become a part of learning in our schools and lives to come. It appealed to me because it showed a couple who were equals in a time of unequals and a deep devotion and respect that we in the year 2001 need the gentle reminder of. Have seen the author of Charlie Rose and C-SPAN which seem to be the last two places in television where books of substance are spoke of and loved. Non-fiction is my favorite. And I never get tired reading of the minds and lives of the Founding Fathers and being reminded of the virgor, and genius they shared. This book, by the way is a great book to get for reading aloud to others. We have been doing this at home, with me doing a chapter and then my husband and then our sons. PLEASE buy the book for your public library if they do not own a copy.
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Summary: Tom and Gary
Review: Jefferson and Condit have a lot in common.
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Summary: good book
Review: good book that breaks away from the history books and tells a more personal side of the revolution that greatly affected our lives today.
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Summary: Truly a heroic figure.
Review: One of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived and one of the most distinguished of a generation of revolutionary leaders. Much of the book is examining the troubled friendship between Adams and Jefferson during powerhouse conflicts with France and England. Adams emerges, as a truly heroic figure as Adams' greatest accomplishment as president, was the peace his administration brought to the land. This book is a one of the most moving love stories in American history and a biography that deserves its place on every Americans bookshelf. FinancialNeeds.com
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Summary: Another Pulitzer?
Review: A new biography by David McCullough is always an event worth anticipating. With 'John Adams' McCullough has, however, given us his masterpiece. In this book he opens a door which we step through and are transported to the world and characters that made the American Revolution. McCullough maintains a level of interest, detail and characterization that I cannot recall in any other biography. John and Abigail Adams lived long and eventful lives and their candid letters and other writings have been largely preserved. This provides a great canvas for the author to work upon, and he makes the most of it. Of all the fascinating themes in this work, Adams' long and changing relationship with Thomas Jefferson is perhaps one of the best. Jefferson's character is used as something of a foil to that of Adams, and Jefferson comes off second best. I cannot recommend this book too highly...a terrific read!
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Summary: Biographers Should keep their distance
Review: I usually like McCullough's work, but am disappointed in this one. McCullough seems to have become infatuated with Adams, therefore he highlights his good points (admittedly there are many) and so minimizes his errors that the result is historical distortion and misrepresentation. McCullough completely fails his job as biographer in minimizing the dangerous Alien and Sedition Acts. Adams signed this anti-democratic tyrannical bills and must be held accountable. McCullough sloughs them off as though they are piffle. Clearly, he is not thinking as clearly as he usually does.
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Summary: An inspiring and entertaining read.
Review: David McCullough biography of John Adams is extremely entertaining and easy to read. He superbly weaves the story of Adams' life and family with the founding of the United States. He leaves you with an excellent view of the man and his times. This book reads much more like a novel than a history and kept me entertained and interested throughout it's 600+ pages. I would highly recomend this to anyone who has an interest in learning of the intentions of the founding fathers and the sacrifices they endured to see them through.
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