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One of the most evocative and interesting collections of letters, full of insights on their times as well as their relationship. To be read and savored more than once.
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The Letters of John and Abigail Adams
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The correspondence of a Founding Father and his brilliant wife
The Letters of John and Abigail Adams provides an insightful record of American life before, during, and after the Revolution; the letters also reveal the intellectually and emotionally fulfilling relationship between John and Abigail that lasted fifty-four years and withstood historical upheavals, long periods apart, and personal tragedies. Covering key moments in American history - the Continental Congress, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and John Adams's diplomatic missions to Europe - the letters reveal the concerns of a couple living during a period of explosive change, from smallpox and British warships to raising children, paying taxes, the state of women, and the emerging concepts of American democracy.
The Letters of John and Abigail Adams provides an insightful record of American life before, during, and after the Revolution; the letters also reveal the intellectually and emotionally fulfilling relationship between John and Abigail that lasted fifty-four years and withstood historical upheavals, long periods apart, and personal tragedies. Covering key moments in American history - the Continental Congress, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and John Adams's diplomatic missions to Europe - the letters reveal the concerns of a couple living during a period of explosive change, from smallpox and British warships to raising children, paying taxes, the state of women, and the emerging concepts of American democracy.
512 pages, Paperback
First published January 1,1840
This edition
- Format
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512 pages, Paperback
- Published
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December 30, 2003 by Penguin Publishing Group
- ISBN
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9780142437117
- ASIN
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0142437115
- Language
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English
About the author
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
John Adams was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before his presidency, he was a leader of the American Revolution that achieved independence from Great Britain. During the latter part of the Revolutionary War and in the early years of the new nation, he served the U.S. government as a senior diplomat in Europe. Adams was the first person to hold the office of vice president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He was a dedicated diarist and regularly corresponded with important contemporaries, including his wife and adviser Abigail Adams and his friend and political rival Thomas Jefferson.
A lawyer and political activist prior to the Revolution, Adams was devoted to the right to counsel and presumption of innocence. He defied anti-British sentiment and successfully defended British soldiers against murder charges arising from the Boston Massacre. Adams was a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress and became a leader of the revolution. He assisted Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and was its primary advocate in Congress. As a diplomat he helped negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain and secured vital governmental loans. Adams was the primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, which influenced the United States Constitution, as did his essay Thoughts on Government.
Adams was elected to two terms as vice president under President George Washington and was elected as the United States' second president in 1796. He was the only president elected under the banner of the Federalist Party. Adams's term was dominated by the issue of the French Revolutionary Wars, and his insistence on American neutrality led to fierce criticism from both the Jeffersonian Republicans and from some in his own party, led by his rival Alexander Hamilton. Adams signed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, and built up the Army and Navy in the undeclared naval war with France. He was the first president to reside in the White House.
In his bid in 1800 for reelection to the presidency, opposition from Federalists and accusations of despotism from Jeffersonians led to Adams losing to his vice president and former friend Jefferson, and he retired to Massachusetts. He eventually resumed his friendship with Jefferson by initiating a continuing correspondence. He and Abigail generated the Adams political family, including their son John Quincy Adams, the sixth president. John Adams died on July 4, 1826 – the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Adams and his son are the only presidents of the first twelve who never owned slaves. Historians and scholars have favorably ranked his administration.
John Adams was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Father who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before his presidency, he was a leader of the American Revolution that achieved independence from Great Britain. During the latter part of the Revolutionary War and in the early years of the new nation, he served the U.S. government as a senior diplomat in Europe. Adams was the first person to hold the office of vice president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He was a dedicated diarist and regularly corresponded with important contemporaries, including his wife and adviser Abigail Adams and his friend and political rival Thomas Jefferson.
A lawyer and political activist prior to the Revolution, Adams was devoted to the right to counsel and presumption of innocence. He defied anti-British sentiment and successfully defended British soldiers against murder charges arising from the Boston Massacre. Adams was a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress and became a leader of the revolution. He assisted Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and was its primary advocate in Congress. As a diplomat he helped negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain and secured vital governmental loans. Adams was the primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, which influenced the United States Constitution, as did his essay Thoughts on Government.
Adams was elected to two terms as vice president under President George Washington and was elected as the United States' second president in 1796. He was the only president elected under the banner of the Federalist Party. Adams's term was dominated by the issue of the French Revolutionary Wars, and his insistence on American neutrality led to fierce criticism from both the Jeffersonian Republicans and from some in his own party, led by his rival Alexander Hamilton. Adams signed the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts, and built up the Army and Navy in the undeclared naval war with France. He was the first president to reside in the White House.
In his bid in 1800 for reelection to the presidency, opposition from Federalists and accusations of despotism from Jeffersonians led to Adams losing to his vice president and former friend Jefferson, and he retired to Massachusetts. He eventually resumed his friendship with Jefferson by initiating a continuing correspondence. He and Abigail generated the Adams political family, including their son John Quincy Adams, the sixth president. John Adams died on July 4, 1826 – the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Adams and his son are the only presidents of the first twelve who never owned slaves. Historians and scholars have favorably ranked his administration.
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"Intimacy with the most of People, will bring you acquainted with Vices and Errors, and Follies enough to make you despize them. Nay Intimacy with the most celebrated will very much diminish our Reverence and Admiration."
--John Adams (1735-1826), in a letter to Abigail Adams (1744-1818)
12 April 1764
" Love sweetens Life, and Life sometimes destroys Love. Beauty is desirable and Deformity detestible; Therefore Beauty is not Deformity nor Deformity, Beauty. Hope springs eternal in the human Breast, I hope to be happyer next Fall than I am at present, and this Hope makes me happyer now than I should be without it. "
-- John Adams (1735-1826), in a letter to Abigail Adams (1744-1818)
20 April 1763
"I have Thoughts of sending you a Nest of Letters like a nest of Basketts; tho I suspect the latter would be a more genteel and acceptable Present to a Lady. But in my present Circumstances I can much better afford the former than the latter."
-- John Adams (1735-1826), in a letter to Abigail Adams (1744-1818)
12 April 1764
" I think I write to you every Day. Shall not I make my Letters very cheep; don’t you light your pipe with them ? I care not if you do, tis a pleasure to me to write, yet I wonder I write to you with so little restraint, for as a critick I fear you more than any other person on Earth, and tis the only character, in which I ever did, or ever will fear you. What say you ? Do you approve of that Speach ? Dont you think me a Courageous Being ? Courage is a laudable, a Glorious Virtue in your Sex, why not in mine ? (For my part, I think you ought to applaud me for mine.) – Exit Rattle."
-- Abigail Adams (1744-1818), in a letter to John Adams (1735-1826)
16 April 1764
--John Adams (1735-1826), in a letter to Abigail Adams (1744-1818)
12 April 1764
" Love sweetens Life, and Life sometimes destroys Love. Beauty is desirable and Deformity detestible; Therefore Beauty is not Deformity nor Deformity, Beauty. Hope springs eternal in the human Breast, I hope to be happyer next Fall than I am at present, and this Hope makes me happyer now than I should be without it. "
-- John Adams (1735-1826), in a letter to Abigail Adams (1744-1818)
20 April 1763
"I have Thoughts of sending you a Nest of Letters like a nest of Basketts; tho I suspect the latter would be a more genteel and acceptable Present to a Lady. But in my present Circumstances I can much better afford the former than the latter."
-- John Adams (1735-1826), in a letter to Abigail Adams (1744-1818)
12 April 1764
" I think I write to you every Day. Shall not I make my Letters very cheep; don’t you light your pipe with them ? I care not if you do, tis a pleasure to me to write, yet I wonder I write to you with so little restraint, for as a critick I fear you more than any other person on Earth, and tis the only character, in which I ever did, or ever will fear you. What say you ? Do you approve of that Speach ? Dont you think me a Courageous Being ? Courage is a laudable, a Glorious Virtue in your Sex, why not in mine ? (For my part, I think you ought to applaud me for mine.) – Exit Rattle."
-- Abigail Adams (1744-1818), in a letter to John Adams (1735-1826)
16 April 1764
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Summary: Such a cute love story of a lesson in history. I really enjoyed this back and forth between a former first lady and US Pres before the US was formed. My version did not have anything after he became president. Learned a lot. Recommended.
Hoopla does not allow for page numbers, which kinda sucks. But here are some things:
In the intro they talk about how the Queen of England was not so nice to the former first lady. I mean, it was just after the Revolutionary War. Kind of makes sense. But she took it badly
Letter from 9, Oct 1774 - "This is assembly is like no other that ever existed. Every man in it is a great man, an orator, critic, a statesman; and therefore every man upon every question must show his oratory, his criticism, and his political abilities. The consequence of this is that business is drawn and spun out to an immeasurable length." OMG.. nothing has changed in the world!!
5 July 1775 - It's cute to realize this is before we declared independence, so it was just like any day. Anyway, a cute letter that is classically how ladies say they are upset b/c someone hasn't written. In modern times this was the equivalent of complaining about delayed texts. A lot to learn from her language.
She further talks about the extremely poor treatment in Boston. This is so much more lucid than what was in my textbook. It makes me think we've over watered-down history. Sad.
"I was struck with Gen Washington. You had prepared me to entertain a favorable opinion of him, but I thought the half was not told me. Dignity with ease and complacency, the gentleman and soldier, look agreeably blended in him. Modesty marks every line and feature of his face." Total bro crush.
Right around that date, he is writing letters and they start to be slightly coded. He signals that he thinks the messages might be intercepted. That is so 2020! I mean, who doesn't worry that the messages are being seen.
Feb 18, 76 - He talks about the pamphlet called "Common Sense." Wow, Paine was making the rounds.
He talks about how he wished he knew how to speak French as well as his wife. He wanted her to make sure the kids knew. This had to do with a trip to Canada.
Small pox concerns are all over the place. This is a theme.
He talks about how he was into the idea that Paine had in Common sense for a continental government. It was new back then.
He talks about being the president of the war board and that it had endless meetings. It's amazing he finds time to meet write his wife through all of it.
3 July 1776 - the eve of the declaration of independence, it's not looking good. They do it anyway. He recants how it could have been great if earlier, but now it's like solid to do so people don't think we can go backward.
on page 200 left of hoopla, she talks about the fact that women should be educated and that they should, once they get things going in the government sort that out. "If you complain of neglect of education in sons, what shall I say with regard to daughters, who every day experience the want of it?"
Later she goes on: "If much depends, as is allowed upon the early education of youth, and the first principles which are instilled take the deepest root, great benefit must arise from literary accomplishments in women."
There's a cute exchange on Oct 4, 1776 where Adams clearly gets a letter from his wife where he's not writing enough and he's like: "I am seated in a large library room with eight gentlemen round about me, all engaged in coversation. Amidst these interruptions, how shall I make it out to write a letter?" So cute!
There's a weird exchange i don't understand on (74 pages left). She talks about drinking with the officers and how they aren't getting a lot of attention. Then she says: "It would gratify me much, if I had in my power, to entertain every officer in the fleet." Weird... her hubby's gone and that's what she writes?
He's sent overseas and it doesn't seem to be goign well. It's interesting to hear him talk of places and people from the point of view of America at that time.
My laptop is running out of power, so I'm going to close with, I wish this had been assigned in HS. it's just cute.
Hoopla does not allow for page numbers, which kinda sucks. But here are some things:
In the intro they talk about how the Queen of England was not so nice to the former first lady. I mean, it was just after the Revolutionary War. Kind of makes sense. But she took it badly
Letter from 9, Oct 1774 - "This is assembly is like no other that ever existed. Every man in it is a great man, an orator, critic, a statesman; and therefore every man upon every question must show his oratory, his criticism, and his political abilities. The consequence of this is that business is drawn and spun out to an immeasurable length." OMG.. nothing has changed in the world!!
5 July 1775 - It's cute to realize this is before we declared independence, so it was just like any day. Anyway, a cute letter that is classically how ladies say they are upset b/c someone hasn't written. In modern times this was the equivalent of complaining about delayed texts. A lot to learn from her language.
She further talks about the extremely poor treatment in Boston. This is so much more lucid than what was in my textbook. It makes me think we've over watered-down history. Sad.
"I was struck with Gen Washington. You had prepared me to entertain a favorable opinion of him, but I thought the half was not told me. Dignity with ease and complacency, the gentleman and soldier, look agreeably blended in him. Modesty marks every line and feature of his face." Total bro crush.
Right around that date, he is writing letters and they start to be slightly coded. He signals that he thinks the messages might be intercepted. That is so 2020! I mean, who doesn't worry that the messages are being seen.
Feb 18, 76 - He talks about the pamphlet called "Common Sense." Wow, Paine was making the rounds.
He talks about how he wished he knew how to speak French as well as his wife. He wanted her to make sure the kids knew. This had to do with a trip to Canada.
Small pox concerns are all over the place. This is a theme.
He talks about how he was into the idea that Paine had in Common sense for a continental government. It was new back then.
He talks about being the president of the war board and that it had endless meetings. It's amazing he finds time to meet write his wife through all of it.
3 July 1776 - the eve of the declaration of independence, it's not looking good. They do it anyway. He recants how it could have been great if earlier, but now it's like solid to do so people don't think we can go backward.
on page 200 left of hoopla, she talks about the fact that women should be educated and that they should, once they get things going in the government sort that out. "If you complain of neglect of education in sons, what shall I say with regard to daughters, who every day experience the want of it?"
Later she goes on: "If much depends, as is allowed upon the early education of youth, and the first principles which are instilled take the deepest root, great benefit must arise from literary accomplishments in women."
There's a cute exchange on Oct 4, 1776 where Adams clearly gets a letter from his wife where he's not writing enough and he's like: "I am seated in a large library room with eight gentlemen round about me, all engaged in coversation. Amidst these interruptions, how shall I make it out to write a letter?" So cute!
There's a weird exchange i don't understand on (74 pages left). She talks about drinking with the officers and how they aren't getting a lot of attention. Then she says: "It would gratify me much, if I had in my power, to entertain every officer in the fleet." Weird... her hubby's gone and that's what she writes?
He's sent overseas and it doesn't seem to be goign well. It's interesting to hear him talk of places and people from the point of view of America at that time.
My laptop is running out of power, so I'm going to close with, I wish this had been assigned in HS. it's just cute.
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Shout out to Lin-Manuel Miranda. I NEVER would have picked up something like this if it wasn't for Hamilton. U.S. AND world history has become more important to me over the past few years. Reading letters between a real life married couple doing their best affirms my belief that people are people, no matter when or where they exist. I love how they communicated.
I thought the way they discussed womens' rights, freedom, government, parenting, slavery, and abolition was also fascinating. ♥️
My favorite quotes:
"I wish most sincerely there was not a Slave in the province. It allways appeard a most iniquitious Scheme to me-fight ourselfs for what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have. You know my mind upon this Subject." - Abigail Adams
“I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. 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.” - Abigail Adams
"Posterity! you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it." - John Adams
I thought the way they discussed womens' rights, freedom, government, parenting, slavery, and abolition was also fascinating. ♥️
My favorite quotes:
"I wish most sincerely there was not a Slave in the province. It allways appeard a most iniquitious Scheme to me-fight ourselfs for what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have. You know my mind upon this Subject." - Abigail Adams
“I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. 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.” - Abigail Adams
"Posterity! you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it." - John Adams
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These letters will blow you away. Behind those hopelessly stilted cover portraits of our second president and his first lady, there lived and breathed two vibrant, opinionated, brilliant and fully human individuals who were, among other things, deeply in love with and committed to one another--as well as to their newborn country. These letters cover the full span of the American Revolution, a time when John and Abigail were often separated for unbearably long stretches of time (sometimes years), and they bring both the writers and the world in which they lived to life in a way that no movie or historical novel ever could. You'll come away from this book not only with a genuine affection for what was, after all, the original Adams family, but also with a whole new appreciation for the extraordinary vision lies at the foundation of who we still are as a nation, more than two hundred years later.
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I think the main thing that stands out from this is the extent to which the revolutionary war was also a civil war. There are various dimensions to this: firstly Adams records the failure of the 1775 Battle of Quebec. Adams feared that the defeat in Canada could embolden others within the thirteen colonies: "Others there are in the Colonies who really wished that our enterprise in Canada would be defeated, that the Colonies might be brought into danger and distress between two fires, and be thus induced to submit."
Although Adams does often frame the war as between America and Britain, he also frames it as a battle of Tories and Whigs, typically with the implication that said Tories represented a fifth column in American society: "A Tory here is the most despicable animal in the creation... I heartily wish every Tory was extirpated from America ; they are continually , by secret means , undermining and injuring our cause... The unprincipled and unfeeling and unnatural inhabitants of Staten Island are cordially receiving the enemy , and , deserters say , have engaged to take arms . They are an ignorant , cowardly pack of scoundrels." In practice, this tension of Whig and Tory was an international one, with British Whigs looking favourably upon the colonists. Franklin records seeking their support in his autobiography. The revolution was a fissure within countries as much as between them, which raises an interesting counter-factual: what if Whig policy had prevailed in London? In that case, American independence would presumably have followed a similar course to that taken by Canada and Australia, albeit with the possibility that slavery might well have still lead to secession in the Southern states at some point.
On that point, there's also the question of native and African Americans, reflecting the role of slave owners in the revolution: "There has been in town a conspiracy of the negroes . At present it is kept pretty private... They conducted in this way : got an Irishman to draw up a petition to the Governor , telling him they would fight for him , provided he would arm them and engage to liberate them if he conquered." Slavery would be abolished thirty years earlier in the British Empire than the United States, although the departure of the Southern States may well have undermined the influence of their counterpart plantation owners in the West Indies.
Although Adams does often frame the war as between America and Britain, he also frames it as a battle of Tories and Whigs, typically with the implication that said Tories represented a fifth column in American society: "A Tory here is the most despicable animal in the creation... I heartily wish every Tory was extirpated from America ; they are continually , by secret means , undermining and injuring our cause... The unprincipled and unfeeling and unnatural inhabitants of Staten Island are cordially receiving the enemy , and , deserters say , have engaged to take arms . They are an ignorant , cowardly pack of scoundrels." In practice, this tension of Whig and Tory was an international one, with British Whigs looking favourably upon the colonists. Franklin records seeking their support in his autobiography. The revolution was a fissure within countries as much as between them, which raises an interesting counter-factual: what if Whig policy had prevailed in London? In that case, American independence would presumably have followed a similar course to that taken by Canada and Australia, albeit with the possibility that slavery might well have still lead to secession in the Southern states at some point.
On that point, there's also the question of native and African Americans, reflecting the role of slave owners in the revolution: "There has been in town a conspiracy of the negroes . At present it is kept pretty private... They conducted in this way : got an Irishman to draw up a petition to the Governor , telling him they would fight for him , provided he would arm them and engage to liberate them if he conquered." Slavery would be abolished thirty years earlier in the British Empire than the United States, although the departure of the Southern States may well have undermined the influence of their counterpart plantation owners in the West Indies.
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A collection of letters written during the Revolutionary war. From the founding of the continental congress until the recognition of the independence of the colonies from Britain, John and Abigail were separated in distance but not in correspondence. Although many of the letters sent were lost at sea or intercepted, enough remain to tell a story about two people who were very influential in the birth of the United States of America.
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This was the other book I had with me on my flights. now that was a bit of mental whiplash -- going from 1770's Boston to 1990's Boston and back again! whee! This was so interesting to read -- it covers pretty much the entire span of the Revolutionary War. It makes everything feel much more real. Abigail is constantly complaining that John never writes often or long enough. John keeps reminding her to save money and to set a good example for their children. Abigail keeps cutting stories short because "someone else will surely write to you about it"; John keeps telling her that he gets better information about what's going on in Boston from her than anyone else, so "please give me details"! It's stunning to realize how little time they actually spent in the same place during that decade, and how difficult that was for both of them. Especially when John is in France trying to get support for the war - so many of the letters ended up in the ocean when ships were attacked by the British. it makes you appreciate email -- you don't even have to know *where* the person is, but you can be pretty certain they'll get it!
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