Rating: 
Summary: A fine biography about one of the "forgotten" Founders....
Review: John Adams certainly isn't one of the better known founding fathers. In many ways, he has perhaps been relegated to the ash heap of history, being pegged for having been involved with the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. However, after having read David McCullough's biography, I have a new respect and understanding of not only the presidency of John Adams, but also his life in total. I can say that before reading this book, I knew very little about Mr. Adams. After reading, I discovered that he was certainly one of the most important figures behind the American Revolution. Without John Adams, it is questionable that independence from Britan would have been declared when it was, if ever. He was the primary member of the continental Congress who pushed the independence issue. Not only was he involved in the movement behind American independence from England, he also served as a commissioner to France as the United States attempted to gain France's good graces in its war against England. He also served as ambassador to England after the war. What I found most impressive about John Adams was the kind of life he lead: honest, forthright, moral. He loved his wife and children and appreciated them. He sorrowed at the loss of his son, Charles, who died an alcoholic. He strived to do what he felt was right in leading the country as President from 1797 - 1801, and never deviated from the course he laid, in spite of strong political opposition. Mr. McCullough has written a true classic about, unfortunately, one of our "forgotten" founders. He brings John Adams to life, showing him as having the same human shortcomings that many of us suffer with, yet being able to overcome, was able to accomplish great things. I highly recommend this book to any student of American History.
Rating:
Summary: Second as President, First in Character
Review: It's already common knowledge that David McCullough is so talented it makes most people sick. His distinctive voice has given most of Ken Burns' documentaries the emphasis to keep viewers enthralled through even the boring parts of the Civil War. His writing is clear, conversational, and epic at the same time. His mastery of creating a character through description is unparalleled. In short, McCullough immerses his audiences in a world they've never experienced and leaves them feeling as if they ought to write the main character a postcard just to catch them up on what's happening with them. John Adams is, perhaps, the best biography I've ever read. McCullough delivers better than even his Pulitzer Prize winning Truman, and makes the revolutionary era relevant, challenging, and (most importantly) interesting. After reading Andrew Langguth's "Patriots," I came away with a deep respect for John Adams above all. Sam Adams came off as a liar, Ben Franklin as weird, and Thomas Jefferson was a little to aristocratic, but John Adams was always honest, energetic and idealistic. At the time, only Ferling's "John Adams: A Life" was available. Don't waste your time, though. Ferling's book is much less interesting than the life Adams led. McCullough took one of history's underrated overachievers and placed him precisely where he deserved--a family man with scruples, a lawyer with ideas, and an activist willing to sacrifice all for the good of his country. It's no wonder that McCullough won the Pulitzer for this biography as well, nor that there's now an Adams Memorial planned for Washington. This is a book that needs to be read, not just by Americans, but by everyone who ever wanted to make a difference. This is the epitome of a "must read."
Rating:
Summary: Historically accurate, wonderfully written account of Adams
Review: As a member of the Adams family, I must say that David McCullough did an outstanding job writing this historically accurate account of the life of one of our nation's most influential founding fathers. DM writes not only accurately, but the book was quite entertaining as well-- usually most books of this genre are not. Kudos to Mr. McCullough and I'll be looking forward to his next book! :)
Rating: 
Summary: Detailed look at the life of John Adams, but a Page Turner!
Review: This book is HUGE! This is partially because of Adam's long life but it is also because of the detail that McCullough pursues his subject. While many books that go into detail can drag this book is a page turner. Partial responsibility for this must go to Adams for having lived an interesting life but we must also give credit to the author. My only other exposure to McCullough was a biography on early Teddy Roosevelt. It was also an easy read. I have recently read books on Jefferson and Franklin. This was far more interesting than the Jefferson book and equal to Franklin. If you find the founding fathers interesting you will love this book!
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Summary: The John Adams You Never Knew
Review: John Adams by David McCullough is an erudite and eminently satisfying biography of America's most passionate sage. From the very first paragraph, John Adam's dignity, intelect, steadfast character and of course boudless passion spring off the page and into your soul. In reading about Mr. Adam's you truly get the feeling that we Americans are standing on the shoulders of giants. Yet the true fascination of the book lies in the telling of the great feats of Mr. Adam's life; representing the British solderis after the "Boston Massacre" (political suicide at the time), being, without arguement, the foremost leader of the American Revolution despite all the danger that accompanied this position, hand picking George Washington to lead the continental army, Co-authoring the Declaration of Independance and US Constitution, fathering the US Navy (America's Wooden Walls), serving as our second president and avoiding a catastrophic war with France, and of course, as providence would have it, dying on July 4th, exactly 50 years after 1776! All this by the son of a New England Farmer and Shoe Maker! After reading this book one can only wonder why John Adams, our greatest revolutionary hero, has been all but forgotten by generations of Americans. Do not fret though, for Mr. McCoullough has resurrected John Adams who's boundless courage and passion will live forever more in the hearts and souls of all Americans.
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Summary: Character Counts!!!
Review: This is a brilliant and compelling biography of the second President of the United States. The author's sympathetic portrait of Adams has now sold more than 1.5 million copies, and "Publishers Weekly" calls that figure the highest for any hardback historical biography ever. One of Bill Clinton's legacies may be that Johyn Adams, the faithful husband and honorable man, is gaining in reputation as historians appreciate the place character plays in public life. For even more information, I would personally recommend "Vision Forum," where the life of Adams is uniquely presented in other character building ways. Highly recommend, this book about Adams. What a legacy he has left us!!!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent re-introduction
Review: McCullough's "John Adams" is a smart, well-researched and engrossing biography of America's second president. This is a warts-and-all look, written in an engaging style that gets under the skin of Adams and his partner-in-life Abigail. McCullough's use of Adams's papers (including letters and diaries) is a major plus, using these primary sources to tell the story. Much can be said of how the book portrays Adams and his part in American politics, in the creation of the American Declaration of Independence, and his engaging love/hate relationship with Thomas Jefferson. What I like here is McCullough's detailing of events Adams participated in during the country's early days that ultimately set the stage for the Civil War. Well worth reading!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful !!
Review: It's was easy to understand why this book was on the best seller list for so long- it's very, very good. McCullough's style is so engaging that the book reads like a novel. It was difficult to put down and wonderfully informative. I came away feeling that Adams was shortchanged on credit.
The other founding fathers seemed to be remembered much better in our monuments and sentiments, yet I feel that Adams' part was truly essential. What an extraordinary individual! He was extremely industrious, very well-read, solid in principles and character, a loving husband and father (he had a very smart wife), and unlike some of the other founding fathers, he practiced what he preached in that he never owned a slave. He could also be a stubborn New England Yankee and had a temper when dealing with others; yet he was warm and witty once people got to know him. He worked and labored at the books and documents and committees and the business of starting this nation much more than any other of his time. In the middle of the war he traveled half way around the globe, across the Atlantic, in winter, while being chased by British frigates. The ship he was on nearly sank in the ordeal. He also had to trek through Spain, climbing mountains, and onto France and Holland all for the new American cause. McCullough relays the sheer hard work and determination, pen to paper, get it done kind of stuff that Adams tackled and sacrificed in building this nation. While at the same time demonstrates how Adams was on par, if not better, in intellect than many of his peers. I sincerely believe if he wasn't there, it would not have gotten done. There would be no American experiment.
While others at the Paris peace talks to end the war leaned heavily towards the French views and suggestions, Adams smartly knew not to trust anyone, friend and foe alike, with what was good for America
During his presidency, Adams steered away from party politics and found his own ground in keeping peace with both France and Britain. And as a result gave the United States time to build it's foundation and also, though not realized at the time, set the precursor for the Louisiana Purchase under Jefferson's presidency.
Adams saw the larger picture for the future once the country was established. He had the wonderful foresight to understand what would be needed for America to sustain. One particular quote McCullough shares from Adam's Thoughts on Government is: Laws for the liberal education of youth, especially for the lower classes of people, are so extremely wise and useful that to a humane and generous mind, no expense for this purpose would be thought extravagant. McCullough takes you on the journey with this book; he invites you back in time. I feel like I knew John and Abigail. It was very moving, very human. The book prompted me to go visit John Adams' homes in Quincy, Massachusetts. Although I was a little disappointed to see his farm land now gone, the houses still stand. It was very touching to read of Abigail's long struggle to maintain the farm and home during the war through many winters without John, and then to actually go stand in the same house over her fireplace. Also the same feelings came about to see the room in a later house (Peacefield) that John Adams passed away in.
The best biographers are terrific storytellers, and McCullough can tell the tale. He leads us down the epic path to learn how a simple, frugal farmer from Massachusetts went on to become a major force in creating a democracy "of the people," during a time when monarchs and titles held the day.
Rating:
Summary: No point in adding more praise but.....
Review: The torrent of praise lavished on Mr. McCullough's biography of John Adams (more than 400 Amazon reviews) is hardly encouraging to add one more voice to the chorus. Yet, one point dos not seem to have been made by other reviewers: besides being superbly written, thoroughly researched, etc., this is a biography featuring a new way for Europeans of discovering early American history. Sure, one knew of Washington's and Jefferson's ownership of slaves and even Franklin's pusillanimity was not unheard of although it provides a very interesting chapter of the book. But the relationship between Jefferson and Adams, Jefferson's duplicity and vanity, are fascinating insights. So is Adams' correspondence with his wife and the description of how people lived, the speed - or lack of it - at which news travelled and many other unexpected things. Also, the idea of a unanimous desire to get rid of Britain in the colonies is masterfully debunked. I haven't read Mr. McCullough's biography of Truman for lack of interest in the character but may be I will !!! Here is a fascinating glimpse into a time, which fashioned the world of today, and no European interested in American history should miss this book.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: John Adams died this morning. At least that's how if feels for me, having just completed this phenomenal book. The narrative is so compelling, so moving, tightly woven with the letters of the greatest minds in the history of this country (Abigail's among them), that it brings these characters back to life and invites the reader to take part as a silent observer of their lives. McCullough expertly crafted his text around the stories that were told through the primary source documents, creating the biography of the Adams family and the United States simultaneously.
The prose of John Adams is incredible. His mastery of the English language is breathtaking. The insight that the book delivers on every page about the framers of the nation is fascinating, intriguing, and at times infuriating.
Read this book. Read it slowly, and read it again. Keep a pencil handy to underline passages.
Adams and his story are a treasure.
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