John Adams

published	September 3rd 2004 by Simon & Schuster Paperbacks
first published	2001
binding	Paperback
isbn	0743223136 (isbn13: 9780743223133)
pages	751
characters	John Adams, Abigail Adams, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin
setting	United States
literary awards	Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography, 2002
description	Left to his own devices, John Adams might have lived out his days as a Massachusetts country lawyer, devoted to his family and friends. As it was, eve...more [close] Left to his own devices, John Adams might have lived out his days as a Massachusetts country lawyer, devoted to his family and friends. As it was, events swiftly overtook him, and Adams--who, David McCullough writes, was "not a man of the world" and not fond of politics--came to greatness as the second president of the United States, and one of the most distinguished of a generation of revolutionary leaders. He found reason to dislike sectarian wrangling even more in the aftermath of war, when Federalist and anti-Federalist factions vied bitterly for power, introducing scandal into an administration beset by other difficulties--including pirates on the high seas, conflict with France and England, and all the public controversy attendant in building a nation. Overshadowed by the lustrous presidents Washington and Jefferson, who bracketed his tenure in office, Adams emerges from McCullough's brilliant biography as a truly heroic figure--not only for his significant role in the American Revolution but also for maintaining his personal integrity in its strife-filled aftermath. McCullough spends much of his narrative examining the troubled friendship between Adams and Jefferson, who had in common a love for books and ideas but differed on almost every other imaginable point. Reading his pages, it is easy to imagine the two as alter egos. (Strangely, both died on the same day, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.) But McCullough also considers Adams in his own light, and the portrait that emerges is altogether fascinating. --Gregory McNamee [close]
date added	10-13-06 edit book

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Lance rated it:

05/19/08

bookshelves: the-classics

Read in January, 2002

This was ultimately a love story book for me. The book showed me what a lifelong relationship between men and women as equals could be. Abigail Adams was one of the most interesting men or woman of her day. She was every bit the equal of both her husband John Adams, and her pen pal Thomas Jefferson (who held her in high esteem, and had a intimate friendship of the non-sexual type, which came dangerously close for the day, bordering on, but not crossing the scandalous line).

While John Adams,...more This was ultimately a love story book for me. The book showed me what a lifelong relationship between men and women as equals could be. Abigail Adams was one of the most interesting men or woman of her day. She was every bit the equal of both her husband John Adams, and her pen pal Thomas Jefferson (who held her in high esteem, and had a intimate friendship of the non-sexual type, which came dangerously close for the day, bordering on, but not crossing the scandalous line).

While John Adams, was a deeply flawed, and "difficult" personality, he more closely approached the perfect ideal of the American Man. Unlike the Aristocratic, slave owning Washington or Jefferson, John Adams represented the "middling class" of middle income, shop-keepers, professionals, such as accountants, lawyers, printers, doctors, artisans, that made up the New American middle class. He was frugal too a fault, honest and blunt, and he held the public trust and its money with a high level of stewardship that to this day remain the standard of public service.

John Adams was a thoroughly "incorruptible" public Servant, who’s Presidential administration was never marked by the type of scandal, that so often has marked US Presidencies. In his personal finances, John Adams, suffered none of the indebtedness that marked Thomas Jefferson's excessive personal spending or lavish life style. He was a northern protestant Bostonian (from Braintree MA, later retiring in Quincy, MA), who remained true to his roots and upbringing. The manner in which both Jefferson and he died mere hours apart (John Adams did outlive Jefferson by a couple hours), fifty years from the Independence Day on the Fourth of July, 1826 immortalized them both, and in death, they found a Union together for eternity. They achieved in death a Unity in Memory, which escaped the often-fractious relationship they had as mere mortal men. For the Nation, the manner of their death, and the timing, solidified in the National Consciousness, the Idea, that the Country was indeed marked by Providence like no other nation On Earth.

It was amazing to me how many gems like this, or the ride and lodging together of Ben Franklin and John Adams from Boston to Philadelphia to attend the convention that led to Independence (can you imagine the scene of the two of them sleeping together in the same bed in an inn along the way-quite a common occurrence during most of the country's history, where beds were not as common in travel inns as they are today-and Ben Franklin wanting to sleep with the window open, and John Adams protesting the cold evening air "would be the death of him," Franklin responding that natural science had proven the benefits of fresh air in the bed chamber!" It is for these gems that are scattered through out the books, that this book is great read.

In the same travel down to Philadelphia, John Adams is heard to lament to Ben Franklin about the lack of "genius" in America that he feels is necessary and wanting to form a Nation and stand up to the world's greatest superpower. Can you imagine? For me that was the most poignant and telling moment in the book, where one of the two greatest genius's of the age, is asking the "Leonardo Da Vinci of science" of his day, about where the country is to find the type of genius needed to pull off the successful creation of a new country?? That brief scene and exchange, between Franklin and Adams, epitomized the Revolutionary War-the doubt of the outcome, coupled with the utter lack of self-awareness of the strength of character, and depth of talent that resided in the nascent Republic. I am still struck today, when I ponder how little awareness most Americans have of the depth of talent and ingenuity and inventiveness, that is all around us, so that we take little notice of the Quality of Genius that every generation of Americans seems to produce. No American Age has wanted for a lack of Genius to sustain us in every field Art, literature, warfare, commerce, Religion/Spirituality, and yet today we seemed troubled as a Nation, and insecure so as to repeat the doubts of John Adams- Do we have the Genius to overcome the challenges facing America today?

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Ben rated it:

07/21/08

bookshelves: memoir, non-fiction, politics

Read in August, 2005

Voracious reader and lover of books, poetry, novels and history. Amidst a generation of avid readers, he was considered the biggest reader of them all.

Avid writer: in letters, manuscripts, journals, and notes.

Diligently argued for a break with Britain before it was popular.

Considered to be one of our most intelligent presidents. Harvard educated.

Humble and modest lifestyle. No slaves. No debt. Little property. Purchased only what was needed.

One of the best lawyers of his tim...more

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bonnie rated it:

12/28/07

Read in December, 2007

recommends it for: those curious about early american history, those too enamored with party politics

I read John Adams largely because my grandfather's response when I told him I was reading Alexander Hamilton last year was "I hear that John Adams biography is excellent." Additionally, I was interested because Hamilton was always at odds with him, but I like them both a great deal (and incidentally do not feel the same way about Thomas Jefferson).

This book did not disappoint. McCullough masterfully selected quotations of Adams, Abigail, John Quincy, Benjamin Rush, Jefferson, and o...more I read John Adams largely because my grandfather's response when I told him I was reading Alexander Hamilton last year was "I hear that John Adams biography is excellent." Additionally, I was interested because Hamilton was always at odds with him, but I like them both a great deal (and incidentally do not feel the same way about Thomas Jefferson).

This book did not disappoint. McCullough masterfully selected quotations of Adams, Abigail, John Quincy, Benjamin Rush, Jefferson, and other major players in Adams's life, and incorporated them without disrupting the prose. Every thirty pages or so I found a quote so striking that I wrote it down in a little notebook, or marked the page number on the post-it I used as a bookmark.

Through quotes and narrative alike, the book illustrates the remarkable, influential man John Adams was, from his years negotiating peace and loans in Europe to his one term as the nation's second President. Adams's thoughts on education, slavery, war, and the dangers of faction are compelling; his conduct in the face of constantly being misunderstood complicated and sympathetic; his ever-present integrity inspiring. In fact, at least for the moment, the admiration I've developed for Adams through McCullough's book has rendered my regard for Hamilton something closer to an infatuation.

If the book has one flaw, it is in McCullough's confrontation of Adams's. Whereas the picture of Adams is for the most part brilliantly developed, the book at some point discusses his lapses in judgment, his temper, his indignation, as if it were assumed knowledge. True, these aspects of his personality were likely not as well preserved for history in letters, but I would have liked this to be fleshed out more and earlier on. This is not to say that McCullough pedestalizes Adams; I only wished to understand better these qualities of his. Also, McCullough handles some of Adams's obtrusive character traits quite well - I literally giggled imagining Adams presiding over the first Senate debates, unable to refrain from butting in in spite of his own intentions to refrain from doing so.

I cannot neglect to mention Abigail in discussing her husband's biography. John and Abigail had a great romance of the kind I had sort of thought rare in general, but especially in that era. Their need for each other, the pain they express at being apart, their unyielding support for one another, and the deep deep friendship that resulted in Abigail's fond salutation to Adams as her "dearest friend," shine through in the book to demonstrate their unique bond. Intellectual, opinionated Abigail was a treat to read about. Her accounts of France in general were fabulous, and one of the highights of the entire book for me was her description of meeting and despising a preeminent French woman Benjamin Franklin had raved about (page 305-06).

Less substantive matters - the book includes a family tree chart at the beginning that I constantly referred back to. The part and chapter breaks were appropriate, and the index is comprehensive and easy to navigate. Finally, a word about length: this is a book you have to be a bit patient with. It's about 700 pages long and starts off in a slow, arguably boring description of Adams's simple beginning as the son of a New England farmer, facts which of course literally define Adams. Stick with it through the first hundred pages or so, resign yourself to at least a couple of months with it, and what you never knew about Adams is sure to enrich your understanding of the fascinating times in which he lived. ...less

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Susan rated it:

03/22/08

In addition to exploring the life and career of John Adams, McCullough has encompassed the full tapestry of people, places, and events surrounding Adams from boyhood on. One of two prominent threads that lend a fascinating dynamic to this portrait was his marriage to Abigail Smith. Abigail was a remarkable woman, a steadying hand and the love of his life. Their union was passionate, spiritual and intellectual, and it was their constant correspondence during Adams's absences that provided a weal...more In addition to exploring the life and career of John Adams, McCullough has encompassed the full tapestry of people, places, and events surrounding Adams from boyhood on. One of two prominent threads that lend a fascinating dynamic to this portrait was his marriage to Abigail Smith. Abigail was a remarkable woman, a steadying hand and the love of his life. Their union was passionate, spiritual and intellectual, and it was their constant correspondence during Adams's absences that provided a wealth of insight for McCullough to draw from. Abigail was clearly his sounding board and reliable advisor, rarely shy at expressing her opinions on issues like slavery and independence. In one of her early letters, she even expressed what would eventually become a revolutionary idea on it's own --- women's suffrage. "If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation." A playful taunt perhaps, but also reflective of her uncompromising values.

By far the strongest thread, however, becomes the characterization of the lifelong relationship between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Despite their common intellectual ground and mutual desire to create a stable new government, the two would eventually become bitter rivals over political ideology. The various factions that formed over the constitutional issues and later incited party divisions constantly rocked the unsteady new republic and would reach their peak during Adams's presidency. As Adams leaned farther and farther toward Federalism, Jefferson distanced himself and eventually became Adams's bitter opponent in the presidential election.

Although he wasn't a particularly commanding presence in politics, McCullough notes that Adams was actually quite successful as President during very troubled times. While McCullough is thorough and fair in his assessment of Adams's weaknesses, he is equally honest, occasionally scathing, in his depiction of Jefferson. In fact, with no disrespect for the monumental tasks with which they were faced, his finely honed perspective of our founding fathers steps away from their larger-than-life images and makes them very human and accessible. Lavish and abundant in documentation, readers will be delighted with the fascinating, colorful narrative in JOHN ADAMS; and David McCullough may very well find himself on the well-deserved short list for a second Pulitzer Prize

Being very fond of this particular time in history, I loved reading about John Adams, and his beloved, Abigail, without whom I am convinced he would have been less than successful. This is a book that made me so appreciate and respect even more those men and women, their sacrifices, their courage, and drive that laid foundation for our great country. This is a must read for anyone who loves America, loves those who stood true and fast as they established a government that stands today and has been patterned after for many other governments. Loved it!...less

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Doran rated it:

07/20/08

Read in April, 2008

I purchased a copy of "John Adams" by David McCullough at a local grocery store a couple months ago and finally finished it this last week. The book was first released in 2001 but, since then, the HBO television network has produced an award-winning mini-series based on the book and a repackaged reissue of the book was released..

John Adams I was very intrigued by John Adams after reading about him in the Joseph Ellis history narrative "Founding Brothers." What intrigued m...more I purchased a copy of "John Adams" by David McCullough at a local grocery store a couple months ago and finally finished it this last week. The book was first released in 2001 but, since then, the HBO television network has produced an award-winning mini-series based on the book and a repackaged reissue of the book was released..

John Adams I was very intrigued by John Adams after reading about him in the Joseph Ellis history narrative "Founding Brothers." What intrigued me most was his steadfast relationship with his wife Abigail and his on-again, off-again friendship with Thomas Jefferson.

"John Adams" peels away another layer and reveals an incredible amount of detail about the man and his roles in the early years of our country.

What impressed me most in the book was how relatively "solid" Adams was in his beliefs and his philosophies. Around the time he was elected the second president of the United States, there was a great amount of fervor within those involved in politics them to rally around political parties. Adams' political philosophy probably made him more of a federalist than a republican, but he refused to affiliate with either of the predominant movements at that time. This made him both popular and unpopular with both parties, but gave him a tremendous amount of freedom as president to do what he felt was right. Reading about this demonstrated to me just how counterproductive a two-party system can be, especially for executive-branch candidates.

John AdamsSo much of Adams' political beliefs are needed today. He was a frugal, sensible man who didn't see politics and public service as a life of celebrity or extravagance. He never felt he was above anyone else as was demonstrated by his pitching in to help fight fires when they broke out while he was in office. It's amazing to me to imagine the president of the United States standing in a chain line passing buckets of water down so that a burning building could be extinguished. Today it would be called a "publicity event" or some such nonsense.

When I finished the last chapter of the book, which covered Adams' death and the services and recognition paid to him afterward, I couldn't help but cry for a couple of minutes. After reading the book, which contains hundreds of excerpts of letters and speeches from Adams, I felt I had made some progress toward knowing the man. While I knew from the beginning he had died almost 200 years ago, reaching that part of the book and realizing everything he had done, said, and influenced in the 89 years of his life hit me like a pile of bricks. We owe a large debt of gratitude to this man.

In related news, the HBO miniseries (which I have not seen) is coming out on DVD this Tuesday, June 10, 2008. You can get it from Amazon.com....less

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Karen rated it:

06/11/08

Read in June, 2008

In this well-written, engaging biography, David McCullough tells the story of John Adams' life and times in vivid detail. In McCullough's retelling, the man long overshadowed by Jefferson, Franklin, and his own cousin Sam finally receives his due, emerging as the hero of the revolution and of the early republic.

One may wonder, however, if in certain situations McCullough does not overstate his case. On the one hand, every achievement that Adams makes is portrayed as one of the greatest ac...more In this well-written, engaging biography, David McCullough tells the story of John Adams' life and times in vivid detail. In McCullough's retelling, the man long overshadowed by Jefferson, Franklin, and his own cousin Sam finally receives his due, emerging as the hero of the revolution and of the early republic.

One may wonder, however, if in certain situations McCullough does not overstate his case. On the one hand, every achievement that Adams makes is portrayed as one of the greatest accomplishments in American history. Whether he is securing loans from the Dutch, meeting with the King of England, writing the constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, he always appears to be engaged in some earth-shatteringly brave, bold, and brilliant effort on behalf of his country. On the other hand, Adams' foes are cast in a decidedly negative light. Thomas Jefferson emerges as a two-faced, spineless, spendthrift; Benjamin Franklin appears as an indolent womanizer with bad taste and no morals; Alexander Hamilton becomes an amoral, ambitious intriguer. To be sure, Jefferson, Franklin, and Hamilton had their flaws, but many of their actions could be interpreted differently, or at least more sympathetically, than McCullough does here. As it is, we know where McCullough's sympathies lie - with Adams, who emerges as a sort of virtuous American Cincinnatus, always longing to return home to Braintree, abhorrent of ambition and intrigue, but always forced by circumstance back into public life.

McCullough is not so biased, however, that he does not allow Adams' own flaws to stand for themselves, and he will almost reluctantly admit when Adams' judgment has failed him (such as during the passage of the ill-conceived Alien and Sedition Acts). What is truly wonderful about the book is that McCullough presents a picture of Adams the man, more than Adams the statesman, diplomat, or president. McCullough captures his deep love of his family, his deep love of home, which for Adams were indistinguishable from his patriotism - his acts on behalf of the country he loved were also acts of love for his family - and presents all the powerful forces that motivated this remarkable, passionate, fiery character. Politics are always personal, and the personal is always political, and nowhere was this more true, perhaps, than in the life of John Adams....less

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ES rated it:

07/14/08

bookshelves: his-story

Read in July, 2008

recommends it for: high school dropouts, tv pundits

Regarding McCullough's style, it flowed, it crawled, but all in all it told the story of J.A. in a page turning manner. This my first of his books. I have Truman and 1776 lined up after this and after finishing this I'm looking forward to them.

Learned a lot in this one. Alexander Hamilton is douchebag, backstabbing his way to the top, and attempting to turn infant America into a military dominant government. Also learned what a two faced politician Thomas Jefferson was, hypocrite in almost ...more Regarding McCullough's style, it flowed, it crawled, but all in all it told the story of J.A. in a page turning manner. This my first of his books. I have Truman and 1776 lined up after this and after finishing this I'm looking forward to them.

Learned a lot in this one. Alexander Hamilton is douchebag, backstabbing his way to the top, and attempting to turn infant America into a military dominant government. Also learned what a two faced politician Thomas Jefferson was, hypocrite in almost every aspect of his life: money, women, foreign policy and slavery. Benjamin Franklin was lazy in nature, thought to be in cahoots with the French, though nobody could prove anything. Essentially the lesson learned was that politics in America were run by jealousy and power fantasies before the ink was dry on the Declaration of Independence.

Oh, and George Washington was a less is more guy. Remarkable how non-existent he comes off politically. If Hamilton hadn't have rigged the first election, Adams, who seemed to be respected, would have been the better choice.

Also, just how much we are indebted to the Netherlands. The banks there helped finance the American Revolution when nobody else would.

Got a little more educated on just how taxing it was to travel back then..let alone the postal service. At one point towards the end of Adams presidency he basically negotiates peace with France, though nobody gets wind of it until after the election. Hamilton strikes again here, publishing a book of slander right before the election.

Gained respect for Adams regarding his strong belief of equality of races, religions, etc. He walked the walk, inviting black representatives from Haiti ( i think ) to dine with him. Also, was the first in history to include freedom of religion in a constitution.

Oh and one last thing, the father of the Navy. How he was the only one who really fought for this seems hard to believe. A combined length of coastline from Maine to South Carolina and nobody wanted to put any money into defending it. It blows me away that they lost so many commercial ships to the French, British, Barbary Coast and instead of protection for these ships half of Congress wanted to declare war instead! Just proves bad government has always existed. It just seems that men like John Adams were truly hard to find.

Please note I wrote this without the book in hand, so if I got something wrong...just chill....less

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Lisa rated it:

06/20/08

Read in June, 2006

recommended to Lisa by: Julia

Can't say enough good about this book - if you love American History - read it - if you hated American History in school - read it - author has achieved the impossible in creating a history book that reads with all the intensity of a page turning novel. You will be treated to one of the great love stories of all time as you read correspondence between John Adams and his brilliant wife, Abigail. He was truly a farmer at heart, a man who loved his wife and family deeply, but he felt so stron...more

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Johnsergeant rated it:

12/01/07

bookshelves: audiblecom, audiobook, biography

Read in January, 2002

Narrator: Edward Herrmann
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio, 2001
Length: 9 hours

Audie Award Winner, Non-Fiction (abridged), 2002
Pulitzer Prize Winner, Biography or Autobiography, 2002

Publisher's Summary

In this powerful, epic biography, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough unfolds the adventurous life-journey of John Adams, the brilliant, fiercely independent, often irascible, always honest Yankee patriot who spared nothing in his zeal for the American Revolution. Adams t...more

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Janene rated it:

06/27/08

Read in June, 2008

This book was truly inspiring and very interesting, but not to be picked up lightly. I'm actually somewhat surprised that I was able to finish a 651-page book, with virtually no dialogue, in two months. There were humorous little tid-bits that highlight the personalities of the early days of our country, but the book in its entirety is mainly this: the one or two chapters of my AP American History textbook, but under a microscope.

Really I enjoyed it, I loved learning so much more of the h...more

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Nate rated it:

02/08/08

bookshelves: good-books-i-have-read

Read in June, 2005

David McCullough's "John Adams" was a pleasure to read. Unlike other biographies the book was not simply just a narrative of the life of John Adams. The most engaging aspect of the book were the insights provided by McCullough in regards to the relationship between Adams and the other founders; namely Jefferson, Washington, Franklin, and Hamilton. I appreciated the way in which McCullough explained Adams's relationships with the others both in terms of personality and politics.

My ...more

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Allison rated it:

04/16/08

Read in April, 2008

I just finished this great book about John Adams. As most of the reviewers have said, I have a whole new appreciation for this great man. While he could be cantankerous, vain, jealous, and biting with his words, he was also a great friend, lover, and a man with a tremendous amount of integrity. He was truly the kind of person who always did what he thought was right, even if it was unpopular. (Defending the British soldiers after the Boston Massacre.) Most of the time he was right and, in rea...more

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Sue rated it:

(review of isbn 141657588X)

05/25/08

Read in May, 2008

I finished it! This book took me a while to read, but it's well worth it! McCullough gives such a personal view into who John and Abigail, actually the whole Adams family, really were. And they were truly wonderful, honest, patriots, full of integrity, and not afraid of hard work for their country. John and his wife Abagail wrote over a thousand letters to each other and these and countless more to other family and friends, including Jefferson who became a friend while they were both working i...more

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Mary Etta rated it:

04/21/08

Since reading John Adams I have continually been reminded of my delusion of our country's history. Today as I saw the conclusion of the John Adams' series on HBO I realized I was one of those John Adams saw as "deluded" by the artistic portrayal of our history in Trumbell's "Declaration of Independence." Adams was right. Too many of us believe Trumbell's view of the Declaration of Independence not acknowledging the many difficulties over many years before and after the sig...more

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Kitty rated it:

08/19/07

Read in January, 2004

If you aren't already a student of the history of the birth of the United States and want to know where to begin, read this book. In all his books, McCullough has a way of sucking you into the action but also providing context without slowing the pace of the story. The long separations and hardships John and Abigail endured and the letters they shared throughout are nothing short of inspiring.

In reading John Adams and another great McCullough biography, Truman, it's clear that McCullough ha...more

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Kate added it

07/24/08

What's fascinating is that "John Adams" reads like a novel- not so much a historical text. It's evocative, moving, powerful and need we not forget, really happened. John Adams is as large and flawed and interesting as any fictional character and equally so is his wife Abigail.

What struck me most is that we are drawn in to a world in which love of country, true patriotism, was held with equal measure as freedom itself. As Thomas Jefferson states in the Declaration of Independence,...more

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Andrea rated it:

02/14/08

bookshelves: non-fiction

Read in February, 2008

A great read. The book, while very dense and certainly chock full of information, reads very like a novel and it is very easy to get caught up in the “story” of John Adams. I enjoyed M-‘s use of Adam’s own words as well as the words of Adam’s contemporaries and of course Abigail Adams. In many cases with the founding members of the U.S. it is unclear what impact their spouses had (Martha Washington burned all the correspondence between her and George Washington after his death and T...more

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Katie rated it:

11/29/07

Read in November, 2007

I normally throw historical biographies into my reading list to prevent my brain from rotting due to modern fiction overload :). Needless to say it isn't my favorite genre, but this book was wonderful. The family of John Adams is one of the few in American history with such an amazingly extensive written record of diaries, letters (many thousands), and public articles. McCullough used these resources to create one of the most well-researched epics on John Adams that I've ever seen. Due to the na...more

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Barry rated it:

04/11/08

Read in April, 2008

I received McCullough's John Adams as a gift in 2001 when it wa published but just recently got around to readng it. Since it received much critical acclaim and ws a long time bestseller, obviously I don't need to try to convince anyone that it's an outstanding book and a great read.

Of the many things I appreciated about Adams two stand out. First, his huamnness. Adams was flawed in many ways, yet through his singleness of purpose, depth of commitment and energy was able to accomplish a grea...more