WOW!

It's easy to forget all the hardships people went through during the era of John Adams. While Adams was traveling by horse from small town Braintree, MA, for weeks to Philadelphia to meet with the revolutionary braintrust, wife Abigail was back home scrambling to care for the sick, including her mother who died. There were many plagues, including dysentery and small pox.

The Adams clan was of Puritan stock, but they were not fundamentalists. They valued learning.

Adams worked hard and did well at Harvard, and was attracted particularly to mathematics and science, as taught by his favorite professor, John Winthrop, the most distinguished member of the faculty and the leading American astronomer of the time. Among Adams’s cherished Harvard memories was of a crystal night when, from the roof of Old Harvard Hall, he gazed through Professor Winthrop’s telescope at the satellites of Jupiter.

To his surprise, Adams also discovered a love of study and books such as he had never imagined. “I read forever,” he would remember happily, and as years passed, in an age when educated men took particular pride in the breadth of their reading, he became one of the most voracious readers of any. Having discovered books at Harvard, he was seldom ever to be without one for the rest of his days.

I know this is a long book, but it is worth it. I knew very little about John Adams, having forgotten many facts from my high school history class. This book does a very good job of describing all of the events leading up to the American Revolution War and all of the major players in it. It is written in a story telling way that is not another "boring history book." This book really captures the times John Adams lived, his life and love for his wife, and his friendship with Thomas Jefferson. It captures the true hearts and spirits of our founding fathers and the patriots they were - fighting for the "good" of this great country even when there were opposing views on how the government should be. I also admire their letter writing abilities at that time. They seem to be so much more eloquent than the way we use our language today.

I know biographies are not for everyone and I probably wouldn't finish reading it, but it is a very enjoyable as an audiobook.

It goes without saying that "John Adams" is a well written and nicely paced book. David McCullough is a proven great writer and historian, and this biography does not get bogged down in the minutia that plagues some biographies. This is the third text of McCullough's that I have read, and none have disappointed. McCullough is wonderful at giving details that vividly set the scene or locale, and the interesting tidbits and facts that he weaves within the greater narrative of John Adams' life flesh out and humanize these larger than life people and times.
John Adams was a well traveled man, which I did not know, and 18th century France, Philadelphia, and Holland are evocatively created in this text. This is just one of the many strengths of this book, there are many others, some of which I will share now. The accounts of Adams' years as vice president are as concise, and yet richly detailed, political account as I have ever read. This is a part of Adams' life that is usually dismissed in his biography but it radiates with historical importance in this text. Another strong section of this biography is chapter 11 which deals with Adams' post political life. It focuses on his voluminous correspondence and cements the reader's appreciation for this remarkable American. Adams wrote and said a lot of profound and prophetic things in this period of his life, and McCullough shares many of those thoughts with us.
Another strong facet of this biography is in how well McCullough shows us the humanity of these iconic people. Washington, Adams, Jefferson were good and ill mixed together and I have a clearer and more accurate picture of these three men then I ever got in my schooling. An interesting side note is that if there is a "villain" in this piece it is Alexander Hamilton. He really was not that great a human being, and it is a shame that history has been kinder to him than to Adams, who was far more deserving.
After reading "John Adams" I also realize that anyone who bemoans the state of modern politics does not know their political history. This text vividly brings to life the rancor and malice that permeated these early American presidential elections. One marvels at the strength of our republic that it is able to withstand the onslaught every four years of these elections.
There really is not a weak section in this book, and it ends on a very strong note. When Adams dies you feel the pang of his loss, and of the loss of the type of people who comprised his American generation. "John Adams" is a well written and immersive experience. You will be the richer for having read it!

Adams always seemed like a dumpy old president, but the man was incredibly physically and intellectually rigorous, and without his undaunted labors that were often overlooked, we might not have had the necessary support to win the war against the British.

McMullough is a master. He takes musty old documents and makes them read like fast-paced fiction.

This was the second book I have read by David McCullough about one of our presidents. He is a masterful biographer and did a wonderful job bringing John and Abigail Adams to life. They were a marvelous couple so full of spirit and love for their new country. There were ever so many incidents of their dedication and devotion to one another and to the United States. Constantly in the state of motion, Mr Adams did so much to set us upon the stage that led to our world prominence. He and Abigail gave up many times to be together as John is pulled to Europe many times to serve his country.

Again learning so many things I never knew made this novel both fascinating and made one unable to put it down. The most revealing portrait of all was that of both Abigail Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Never before was I aware of all the animosity that transpired in those days. Somehow I always thought as the press and politics, being oftentimes as unprincipled as they are, were a modern invention. Imaging that old statement of "history repeating itself" was often at the forefront of my mind as I read through the pages of this novel.

John Adams was a strong willed man who felt quite strongly about the "rightness" of all situations. He was scrupulously moral in all his judgements and although was oftentimes looked upon as rigid, he never lost his way in the life he chose to travel. With Abigail steadfastly behind him, he was always a success in her mind. Their love story, although open separated was beautiful. They were totally dedicated to one another and loved one another deeply and constantly.

So in conclusion, although a long novel, its pages were crammed with amazing facts about not only Mr and Mrs Adams, but also some of the rest of our founding fathers. I would surely recommend it to anyone who wants as excellent perspective on our second president who was so much more than history books ever portrayed of him.

I LOVED this book! The closer I got to the end, the slower I tried to read, hoping to stay off the last page as much as possible - and that's saying something cause this book is thick! :)

Well now I just want to read a biography on Abigail Adams. Watch me discuss this book in my June wrap up: https://youtu.be/NMt7tt6GeA0

I wish I could give this book 10 stars. David McCullough has written not only the best biography on the life of John Adams, until now one of America's most unappreciated founding fathers, but an incredible view into the age of the American Revolution. At times I felt as if I had traveled back into time and was watching the historical events fold before my eyes, seeing many events, sensing many emotions.

John Adams was an original American Patriot, brilliant, one of courage and honor, but portrayed also as a common man, who struggled with pride and ambition, experienced victory and loss. He adored his farm, deeply loved his wife, enjoyed all that life brought him, and struggled as all men do. This is a must read!

5 stars for the life, and 5 stars for the telling.

First, for the life. Could there be a more interesting subject? Raised in modesty, read for the bar, practiced law, got into politics, signed the Declaration, became a diplomat for the new country, became the first vice-president of the US, and its second president, and then died years later while his son was president. What a significant man. And while his accomplishments were intriguing, his character and personality exceeded them. Although crotchety and pugnacious, this rotund man was, for the most part, amiable, funny, and talkative. And he had a great life partner. Abigail was a woman to be reckoned with. And together they forged their way through many of life's trials.

John Adams' relationship with fellow compatriot Thomas Jefferson is down right amazing. These guys were like black and white, night and day, oil and water, yet their lives ran on separate, yet parallel tracks, forging a trajectory that set the tempo for American political life. Their personal correspondence was full of spirit, pathos, and ultimately a mutual respect and deep friendship. The end of life for these two (and the connection they share) is nothing short of stupendous. Every American should be acquainted with this story.

And, for the writing. I like McCullough. Actually, I like good biographers. It takes a certain humility to devote oneself to showcasing the life of another. A biographer is another man's servant. And I would say McCullough served Adams well. If these two men were to meet one day, I'm sure John would take David by the hand and give him a hearty thanks; and there wouldn't be a dry eye.

McCullough's style is magisterial without being high-flown. He writes for the everyday person, but in such a way as to elevate his reader. I so enjoyed McCullough's work, that I looked up his background. What's interesting is, he wasn't even a history major. His training was in English literature. So I think that goes to show why his history has such literary quality to it.

After reading this biography, I feel as though I actually know John Adams, the man. Not just his feats, not just his legacy, but his personage, his humanity, even his companionship. Good biographies do that. They are doors into the human past.

I couldn't ask for a better book to begin the year with.

I just reread this, 15 years later, and a definite five star book

The American War of Independence was something that I knew very little about so I feel much better informed after reading this. I can even name the first 6 presidents now. Fascinating and very readable book helped in its readability by the extensive correspondence between John Adams and his wife that the author drew on.
Ending giving the date when he died and who else died the same day was pretty amazing too - that's another very useful fact that I won't forget (don't look it up as it makes a great ending to the book).
This is the third book that I've read by this author and I've enjoyed them all so will be seeking out the others. Truman is still my favourite but this one is a close second.

This is such a well written, interesting book. I keep wishing we had a John Adams to vote for this November. The caveat for me is that there is so much content to this book I need to continually take a break and do some light reading between and/or at the same time. Highly recommended for any American history buff.