Well written history of Adams and his impact on the founding of America

Ah, John Adams, perhaps the most important but least appreciated founding father. Ellis is so familiar with Adams' legacy and character, you feel as though he is telling a story about one of his close friends. The detail and care he takes to fully explore Adams are so refreshing in an era where the founding is reduced to a few bland paragraphs in textbooks. This is by far my favorite history book - so get off Goodreads and go read it!

DNF. Boring, paragraphs waaay too long. I tried to switch to audio and the narrators voice was beyond annoying, I lasted an hour.

This book assumes the intimate knowledge of Adams' life. My mistake for making it my first dedicated read on the President.

Well written and informative - I learned that I do not like John Adams as much as I originally thought. There are some things about him that I agree with and respect, but by and large he did not know how to pick his battles or to let things roll off his back. If you are interested in historical figures, Joseph Ellis writes them very well

My bachelor's degree was in Government. It is now called political science. This book is a deep, profound and thought provoking masterpiece in Government (political science) in the midst of an entertaining biography. Professor Ellis makes the case John Adams was a critical force in the independence from Britain and the creation of our Governance system.
This book deserves a review highlighting major themes but I would not do it justice. I do have a greater appreciation for John Adams, a better understanding of Thomas Jefferson, a better understanding of the philosophical differences between them and an updated, though complex, way to think about the American governmental system.

Great wisdom, integrity and a deep sense of duty. If only John Adams were still alive to guide the country today.

Provided a nice picture of Adams and his thought process, motivations, and flaws

Never knew before

Excellent history lesson on Adams. This is my first biography on him. Can be difficult to follow due to Ellis's writing style which I found surprising since I also read The Sphinx and did not experience the same issue. Highly recommend.

When I’m retired (preferably in my 80’s) I hope to sit back in my soft recliner next to the fire, crack this book open, and reminisce with John Adams on a life that feels so full of importance and misunderstandings, and for outcomes I didn’t want yet better than I could have dreamed. So much can be learned from his life and works if average Americans could take a moment to listen.

Joseph Ellis painted the character and legacy of John Adams (lawyer-farmer, diplomat, revolutionary, 2nd president, and outstanding founding father) and explains why he was so important and why his ideas of liberty, virtue, and self-government remain important today.

This work centers on Adams’ retirement to Quincy Massachusetts. While it isn’t strictly chronological, it’s a great setting to discuss Adams life, politics, foibles, and contributions to the founding of the United States.

Ellis also details why in our current models of history we focus most of our time on, major battles, and larger-than-life figures like Washington, but we devote little time to understanding the complexity of ideas and the founding fathers who held them.

To enjoy “Passionate Sage” properly, one should read a decent Adams Biography beforehand, but other than that it’s a fairly approachable, well-balanced work of Biography.

Much enjoyed my second Joseph Ellis biography (he's got some serious rhetorical flair) and now am feeling indignant on behalf of Adams, whose dreams and warnings for this country ought to have been more listened to! Instead, all we seem to have heard is Jefferson, and now it's every man for himself, we're all free to get rich and enjoy ourselves, with no obligation to others and a distrust of government. Ack! I am feeling down on Jefferson after these Washington and Adams biographies, but Jefferson's next, so it'll be good to be reminded of his contributions.

A good book of principles.
He is an overlooked President because he stands compared to Jackson as a bore politically.
However, he was the most experienced statesman to be elected to the office of President.