Rating: 
Summary: A Beautifully Written Biography
Review: John Adams is an historical footnote to most people - - the President who served between Washington and Jefferson. But Adams was far more than that. He was a highly principled and educated man who devoted his life to the service of his country. Adams was a prolific writer and David McCullough has mined Adams' writings and those of his wife, Abigail, to paint an enthralling picture of Adams, his family, the Revolution, and the early years of the United States. Unlike many histories, this one is very readable. The book received the Pulitzer Prize, and for good reaason - - it is a wonderful read.
Rating:
Summary: The Life of a Patriot and Statesman
Review: Mr. McCullough shows that John Adams was a complex man with many human frailties, inner conflicts and self-doubts - and a testy, hot temper. In spite of all this he was a dedicated patriot who put his country's interests even before his own and never failed to answer his country's call for help. After pushing the Declaration of Independence through the Continental Congress at just the right time by his inspired reasoning and oratory, he then became a delegate to France and later was responsible for obtaining a most important loan from the Dutch in order to help put the fledgling country on a better economic base. That loan was so important and so hard to get that according to McCullough, no one else could have done it. Adams then was a major contributor to the drafting of the United States Constitution. Always convinced of the importance of a strong naval force, Adams was almost single handedly responsible for obtaining the funding and for the building of the country's first navy ships. These ships did play a large part in the outcome of the War of 1812 and were available solely because of Adams' pushing for a strong navy. Jefferson and many others were against funding a navy and wanted to rely on ground forces and a strong assist from France. Adams always resisted the interfering hands of other countries in the running of the new United States. Adams was the main factor in keeping the U.S. out of a war with France and thereby laid the groundwork for Jefferson's later Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the new country. Had the U.S. been at war with France, the Purchase could never have taken place. An emphasis is put on the difficult presidential race between Adams and Jefferson and the rift between the two men who had been strong friends. There is also emphasis on the later reconciliation between the two after both had retired from public life, and the many letters written between them. These letters apparently serve as great illuminators on the great events the two men had lived through. This book is a well-done work about an extraordinary man who was a true patriot and statesman, dedicated to the service of his country. He made mistakes but what would the country and the world have been like without him.
Rating: 
Summary: Easily 4.5 Stars
Review: This is easily one of the best books ive ever read. McCullough expertly delievers this heartfelt bio on a gread and often underrated man. The 650 pages of this book will easily go by faster than you woud like the them to. This book is especially interesting when McCullough goes into Adams relationship with his wife, Abigail, and his friend/adversary Thomas Jefferson. A must for history buffs.
Rating:
Summary: A Book for Your Personal Library
Review: Not only does the book give an indepth view of John Adams' family life and ambitions, but also pulls you into the standard way of living in the 1800's. The interaction between Adams and his political friends/foes (Jefferson, Washington, & Franklin) was enlightening; I felt I understood these people, their views and insights.An excellent book and a 'MUST' read.
Rating:
Summary: A great read
Review: This is a fascinating book. John Adams is a much more interesting and complex character than I previously believed. The book also gives a good overview of the revolutionary period and the early years of the nation. I loved every minute of my time reading it.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL VIEW OF JOHN ADAMS.....
Review: THIS IS A WONDERFUL VIEW OF JOHN ADAMS. I FEEL WE DO NOT GIVE MR. ADAMS ENOUGH CREDIT, (AS HE FELT WOULD BE THE CASE) FOR HIS
MASTERFUL WORK IN HELPING CREATE THIS NATION. THIS BOOK AS DOES "PASSIONATE SAGE" BY JOSEPH ELLIS (NO RELATION) GOES INTO THE TYPE OF INTERESTING DETAIL NOT ONLY ABOUT THIS GREAT MAN, BUT GIVES HIM THE CREDIT HE SO RICHLY DESERVES. THIS IS A MUST HAVE BOOK FOR THOSE OF US WHO LOVE HISTORY AND ESPECIALLY AMERICAN HISTORY.
Rating:
Summary: True Blue
Review: David McCullochs detailed biography of
John Adams is a pleasure to read. It not only
brings back the life of John Adams, it
also brings back the American revolution.
A revolution that happened because some,
like Adams, were dedicated to its ideals. When townspeople asked for a toast that
they might read out aload on the 4th of July, the 90
year old former president declared in true blue spirits
that it should be "Independence forever". No less,
no more. But David McCullochs story of John Adams is great,
because it is a story of a real
person. A mensch, as germans would put it.
Born into the times of the american revolution
he prized the Roman ideal of honor. He read
Cicero, Tacitus and others in Latin. Plato
in the original Greek. Indeed, something to consider
for your 2003 politician who considers CNN a source
of information.
He was not a man of wealth - but he loved
the esteem of public life and his farm, family
and goose quill. And above all, it seems,
his wife.
Whom he married on october 1764 at the home of the
prides parents in Weymouth Massachusetts.
He was 28 and Abigail Smith was 19.
And through thick and thin we follow them
though these epic times of the American revolution.
As they cross the Atlantic and don't expect to survive
it - right till the end when Abigail dies in 1818.
A marriage that in itself would be worthy of a book -
in all its trials, love, wisdom and humanity.
Indeed, Abigail surely deserves a biography
dedicated solely to her. At times Adams would wrestle with fellow
founders.
Benjamin Franklin called him: Sometimes out
of his senses. And Thomas Jefferson was both a
lifelong friend and a bitter political opponent,
who accused him of monarchistic tendencies
in the hard fought election of 1800. And it was not "just" politics to Adams. Indeed,
Whereas God, according to Jefferson, created the
universe and then withdrem from mundane affairs,
Adams believed in continous divine intervention.
So to John Adams it was never just a puppet game
- it was a question of giving providence
a helping hand.
And providence certainly had a helping hand in securing
that the two surviving heroes of the 1776
revolution both died on the 4th of July.
July 4th 1826 -
Jefferson a few hours before Adams. A wonderful story. A wonderful book. -Simon
Rating:
Summary: Insightful Biograhpy by One of America's Premiere Authors
Review: I have to admit that this is the first book by David McCullough that I have read. I am certainly glad that I did. Although reading the book may seem like a daunting task- it is over 600 pages long, it is well worth the time and effort. John Adams is a magnificent tale about one of the true hero's of the American Revolution. Written in a smooth flowing style, this book provides the reader with insight into early American history. John Adams lives the American dream, by rising from obscurity to become the second President of the United States. The best part of the book are the letters that the author uses to give a glimpse of early America. Written mainly by John and Abigail Adams these letters give you a sense of the thoughts, feeling, motivations, and beliefs of those involved with the creation of America. The other interesting facet of the book is the contrast McCullough draws between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Although, Jefferson is remembered as a more important man, and better President, the books indicates that John Adams may in fact have been the better of the two. While others seem willing to achieve their political ends by whatever means necessary, Adams remains true to his values, and sincere in his dealings. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in early American history. It has already won the Pulitzer Prize, and will remain a classic for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Portrait
Review: Biographies are not my favorite form of literature, especially lenghthy ones such as this. But the author did a fantastic job, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover. We often see the Founding Fathers of this nation as legendary, almost mythical figures. McCullough brings out the humanity in them, especially Adams and Thomas Jefferson, a lifelong acquaintance and sometimes rival. John Adams, the second President of the United States, was one of the most influential persons in the formation of this country, from the passing of the Declaration of Independence, through his presidency almost three decades later. His refusal to enter into a war with France probably insured the survival of this nation during a very precarious time in our history. Much of the material for this book was drawn from Adams' many letters, to and from Abigail, for instance (they were separated for many years due to his assignments overseas and in the Nation's Capitol), and to and from Jefferson and others. Historians and biographers of Adams' are blessed in that probably no other figure in history left such a personal record behind as did Adams; his letters, many of a personal nature, numbered in the thousands and thousands of pages. I'd highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in our nations's founding. It's well worth the time spent reading it. As I read the final pages recording Adams' death on July 4, 1826, I felt a little sadness, realizing that the world on that date lost a man who paid a monumentous service to our country, and whose stature few men have since achieved.
Rating:
Summary: A great introduction to American History
Review: Go ahead, read this book. You might think you'll only get through a chapter or two before tossing it aside, but you'll be mistaken. It's a totally different way of looking at American history, as the book relies on notes, letters, and diaries of Adams, his family, and friends. It's true that the perspective become sympathetic to Adams, but that most likely is because of the point of view of the sources (which are largely John or Abigail themselves). If you like dry history books, you might not like this one. If you want to live the life and times of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and others through words, as well as can be done, then give this a try. This book is not meant to be a critical analysis of John Adams, rather it reads more like a novel fit for a television mini-series. You learn so much about the nature of John Adams, that you will find yourself sad when he dies. The book is full of details that brings him to life, such as his habit of writing questions, comments, and opinions in the margins of the books that were in his library, which was quite large. If you like small details that brings the characters to life, then you won't be disappointed.
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