The true story of Abigail Smith and John Adams, who met and loved and married and became leading protagonists in events which were to change the wh...
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reviews
Feb 01, 2008
Sumi
rated it: 
While it is a fictionalized account of the relationship between Abigail and John Adams, it has been thoroughly researched and is accurate as far as the events in their lives are concerned.
John and Abigail Adams were true partners in life. Their letters to one another showed that John considered not just his wife, but his best friend, his intellectual equal and his greatest confidante.
The book starts with the meeting of Abigail and John and their courtship in spite of her More...
John and Abigail Adams were true partners in life. Their letters to one another showed that John considered not just his wife, but his best friend, his intellectual equal and his greatest confidante.
The book starts with the meeting of Abigail and John and their courtship in spite of her More...
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Aug 13, 2009
Sherie
rated it: 
This is a historical fiction, not a lusty romance novel, in case anyone is wondering if I'm starting on a new genre.
I guess the lower rating is because I really enjoyed the other Irving Stone book I read about Andrew Jackson and his wife. Also this book is very long and can get quite tedious at times.
I enjoy reading historical fiction very much since it helps me piece together what is happening in different parts of the world at the same time. For example, in this book, even th More...
I guess the lower rating is because I really enjoyed the other Irving Stone book I read about Andrew Jackson and his wife. Also this book is very long and can get quite tedious at times.
I enjoy reading historical fiction very much since it helps me piece together what is happening in different parts of the world at the same time. For example, in this book, even th More...
Dec 26, 2010
Shelley
rated it: 
I loved this biographical novel of Abigail and John Adams. WOW, there sure is a lot about the birth of our nation that I never learned. Because this book was based on historical fact and the letters of Abigail and the founding fathers, I felt I received a fascinating lesson in history! I was simply amazed at the parallels to be drawn with our current political climate and the constant wrangling between personalities and the struggles between parties. It actually gives me great hope that no matte
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Dec 21, 2008
Sherrey
rated it:
As a work categorized as "biographical fiction," I read this with the knowledge that some historical facts and statements had been altered by the fictional aspect of the author's writing. My first read of an Irving Stone biographical novel was a great read. I'll certainly read more of his books. Of course, my opinion is slightly colored because (1) by birth I'm an Adams, (2) I love biographical works, and (3) historical fiction ranks at the top of my favorite reads. However, that b
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Sep 22, 2011
Tanya
rated it: 
I am just not cut out to read historical fiction. It drove me crazy when they had dialogue between John and Abigail. I just kept thinking "The author CAN NOT know what they said." But aside from that, I enjoyed the time line visual that I gained from reading this. I loved the quotes from their letters. I enjoyed the view of education that I got from reading this book. Interestingly, as I have read, I have come to learn that sometimes reading two books at the same time I learn more fr
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Jan 01, 2009
Tanya
rated it:
For some reason I didn't love this as much as other Irving Stone books. And it was a little bit of a disappointment after reading pulitzer prize winner John Adams by David McCullough. I did like that there was a balanced focus between John and his wife Abigail. I also liked getting an overall picture of the family itself as well as an increased understanding of the deep trials people suffered during this period of history.
May 12, 2011
Juanita
rated it:
I read this some time ago, but it is one of my all time favorite books. I love the purity of the love story between John and Abigail. They showed amazing resiliency in the face of difficult trials. And became one of the most influential couples to ever grace our nation.
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Apr 06, 2008
Gabby
rated it:
Good quotes:
"And now, O Lord, my God, Thou hast made Thy servant ruler over the people. Give unto him an understanding heart that he may know how to go out and come in before this great people; that he may discern between good and bad..."
"My thoughts and my meditations are with you, though personally absent; and my petitions to Heaven are that the things which make for peace may not be hidden from your eyes. My feelings are not those of pride or ostentation. T More...
"And now, O Lord, my God, Thou hast made Thy servant ruler over the people. Give unto him an understanding heart that he may know how to go out and come in before this great people; that he may discern between good and bad..."
"My thoughts and my meditations are with you, though personally absent; and my petitions to Heaven are that the things which make for peace may not be hidden from your eyes. My feelings are not those of pride or ostentation. T More...
Jan 22, 2011
Kim
rated it:
I always love getting a little truth and history with my novels, and this one doesn't disappoint. Learn more about John and Abigail Adams and discover that behind very successful man, there is a woman who loves him.
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Jan 02, 2010
ag
rated it:
I loved this book. Cannot imagine living the life of Abigail. She was John's backbone, who would have known? This book started me reading many more about the American Revolution and the founding of our country.
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Oct 28, 2009
Karen
rated it:
Another great one from Irving Stone. I like his pro-American, pro-founding father, but honest, take on history. I learned so much about the American Revolution and the birth of the country. Felt like I was there!
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Jul 02, 2009
Cauleen
rated it:
What an incredible couple Abigail and John Adams were. They were both patriots. She enabled him to be the great thinker he was. She was his equal in so many ways. I loved that this was written from her point of view.
Mar 07, 2008
Amber
rated it:
First - this book is not a light read. It is a little dense, but I really loved learning so much about our founding as a nation and the people who made it happen. I learned so much that I never learned in school and it really made the time period come alive for me. I also realized, so many time, while reading this book that the founding of our nation seemed impossible and very tenuous most of the time. We can't expect other nations to get things right quickly - we still had a country fighting it
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Jul 02, 2009
Don
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Quite possibly my very favorite Irving Stone book. If anyone enjoyed the John Adams series on TV, then this book will be a joy because it provides a far more vivid portrayal of the man and Abigail.
Jan 23, 2012
Laura
rated it:
So well written and so real. This book gave a fascinating view of what is was like to live around the time of America's independence from the Adams' point of view. History is given life.
Jul 26, 2009
Laura
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I read this one last year, and it was just ok. If I was married to John Adams I would have ditched him, but that's not Irving's fault. Not one of his best stories.
Jan 19, 2009
Donna
rated it:
A very good and informational book of such an important couple in the early history of our country. A very good book to cozy up with on cold winter evenings.
Jun 20, 2010
Velvetink
rated it:
A biographical novel of Abigail Smith and John Adams. Set in the 18th Century creates the drama filled years when America broke away from Britain.
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Oct 05, 2009
Catherine
rated it:
Awesome historical "fiction" about John & Abigail Adams- based largely on all of their letters to each other. What an amazing relationship they had!
Sep 24, 2009
Craig
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A Beautiful biographical novel of John and Abigail Adams. It's worth a re-read, especially after studying David McCullough's John Adams.
Mar 31, 2009
Sara M.
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I loved this book. It gave me so many insights into the Revolutionary times and to the love between John and Abigail Adams. She was amazing!
Jan 21, 2009
Rosalee
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The story of John and Abigail Adams. Stone did a beautiful job illustrating the time period and the relationship of John and Abigail.
Sep 20, 2009
Chelsey
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This book really was fantastic. I give it a reluctant 4 stars, probably because my reading of it was pretty broken up. The story itself is too amazing to give less stars, but sometimes the writing bothered me. I know, who am I to critique Irving Stone?, but I felt several times like he would share totally irrelevant historical details, or rather he didn't find a great way to make them relevant to the immediate story line. In that way, the flow was even more broken up for me. But I LOVED learning
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Dec 08, 2009
Rick
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Picked this up at a garage sale after reading McCullough's John Adams. Not nearly as good, but still enjoyable.
Mar 16, 2009
Shellie
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LOVED it! What's not to love about the love story of John and Abigail Adams and their fight for freedom.
Feb 08, 2011
lconnor
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My favorite President is John Adams, so this book is a special love story between him and Abigail Adams
Jul 17, 2011
Jennifer
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A beautiful story of the love between Adam and Abigail Adams. Great historical fiction book.
Oct 21, 2010
Kathie
rated it:
A rather long and detailed historical fiction about relationship between John & Abigail Adams.
Apr 10, 2011
Earthwatchaddict
rated it:
My favorite of his books will always be The Agony and the Ecstasy about Michelangelo.
