"He means well for his country, is always an honest man, often a wise one, but sometimes and in some things, absolutely out of his senses."

John Adams, "His Rotundity", as his detractors called him, was our much-maligned second president, but happily McCullough, as always, does much to redeem him. A refreshing facet of this revisiting of Adams, is DMC's exhaustive poring over of Adams' correspondence with his devoted wife Abigail, and this forms the backbone of the biography since they were intimate to the point of confiding to each other everything, including points of governance!
Adams had a singular life: revolutionary, emissary abroad where he bore the brunt of British and French machinations against the early republic, the first vice-president (he learned early on how worthless the office was), second President by a sliver, and aging statesman afterwards.
Aware to a fault of his own faults, he comes across as a welcome politician: honest and forthright, also to a fault. But he was also a guy of deep feelings and passion for his country, in whose interest he justified everything that people shit-talked him for.
Another fascinating undercurrent running throughout was his on-again, off-again friendship with Jefferson and this is given much space, too.
Finally: source of the excellent HBO series starring Paul Giamatti as Adams and Stannis Baratheon as Jefferson!

n  

“The American Revolution was made by British subjects, individual men and women who, by our modern sense of proportions, were amazingly few in number. The war they fought was the most important in our history, and as too few today seem to understand, it very quickly became a world war. But the revolution began well before the war. As John Adams famously observed. ‘The Revolution was in the hearts and minds of the people.’ And it changed the world.
“There was no American nation, no army at the start, no sweeping popular support for rebellion, nor much promise of success. No rebelling people had ever broken free from the grip of the colonial empire, and those we call patriots were also clearly traitors to the King. And so, we must never forget, when they pledged ‘their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor,’ it was not a manner of speaking.
“We call them the Founding Fathers, in tribute, but tend to see them as distant and a bit unreal, like figures in some costume pageant. Yet very real they were, real as all that stirred their ‘hearts and minds,’ and it has meaning in our time as never before.
“With change accelerating all around, more and more we need understanding and appreciation of those principles upon which the republic was founded. What were those ‘self-evident’ truths that so many risked all for, fought for, suffered and died for? What was the source of their courage? Who were those people? I don’t think we can ever know enough about them.” — DAVID McCULLOUGH

n

No introduction could be more powerful than the author’s own words. Reading John Adams by David McCullough over the Fourth of July holiday was an inspirational read. Coincidentally both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died within hours of one another on the Fourth of July in 1826, their day. This epic and extraordinary narrative history was riveting and enthralling in the telling of the life of John Adams. Although John Adams was one of the more conservative Founding Fathers, he attended the First Continental Congress in 1774. John Adams became increasingly committed to the cause of independence over the next two years. He led the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. When the time came to argue for its passage, Adams used his superior debate skills to move it through both houses of Congress. John Adams was appointed to a select committee charged with building an alliance with France during the upcoming war. John Adams served as a diplomat throughout the American Revolutionary War, taking him to Paris, London and Holland, ending with his role in establishing a peace treaty with Great Britain. After the war he was appointed as the first ambassador to Great Britain. Following the presidency of General George Washington for two terms in office, John Adams was elected president in 1797 with Thomas Jefferson serving as Vice-President. His presidency was plagued with controversy although his accomplishments were many going down in history as one of the best presidents. Adams felt that his biggest accomplishment was the appointment of John Marshall as Supreme Court Justice, Thomas Jefferson easily defeated Adams in 1800. The two men became estranged for years until they renewed their friendship later in life, much to the enjoyment of both. Although one was the son of a Massachusetts farmer and the other a Virginia aristocrat and slavemaster, they were both devoted to their country. The life of John Adams was an all encompassing historical arc as he lived longer than any president. We witness events ranging from the Boston Massacre to Philadelphia in 1776 to the Versailles of Louis XVI, from Spain to Amsterdam, to the Court of St. James with King George III, to the half-finished Capital by the Potomac River, where Adams was the first President to occupy the White House. This is history on a grand scale, not to be missed, as this is the story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans ever.

It is April 21, 2016 and I am experiencing this book for the second time. This time I am listening to the Audible format. I have recently listened to Alexander Hamilton and thought John Adams was not treated very well in that book and wondered how you would be treated in a book that was focused on him.

Adam spent about two years in France during the time of the Revolutionary war. He returned to Massachusetts and almost immediately began work on the Massachusetts constitution.

After a brief return to Massachusetts John Adams returns to Europe and eventually is joined by his wife and family. He spends time as a diplomat in Paris along with Franklin and Jefferson. As these books that are appearing to be about one individual there are significant diversions the cover other of their contemporaries. I find those diversions less satisfying since they are generally fairly cursory. In this case a good deal is made of Jefferson.

The meeting between John Adams as the first ambassador to England after the war with the king of England is indeed A historic event that I have never before focused on. I was moved hearing it.

So what does an ambassador to England do in 1784? One of the more interesting activities is negotiating the treaty with the country of Tripoly to protect American shipping from the Barbary pirates.

John Adams felt that he had accomplished very little in the diplomatic arena so as the time of the American constitutional convention came closer he switched gears and began to write about his philosophy of eight federal government and he requested that he be withdrawn from his London ambassadorship and return to the US. That's becomes a whole new era for this man.

On his way home across the ocean to Massachusetts John Adams thought he would just retire to Braintree his long time home. He had traveled 29,000 miles in service to his country. When he got back to Braintree he embarked on a farmers life. But there was talk of him becoming the vice president or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in the media. he had decided that he would accept the rule of vice president but nothing less. We all know he got that position.

It took the Senate a month to decide the title for George Washington. John Adams was only supposed to moderate the Senate debate but couldn't keep his mouth shut and contributed much to the extended debate. He wanted His Excellency or His Majesty but fortunately lost. But the suspicions that he was a monarchist at heart grew.h

Jeffersons reason versus Adams passion are subject to a good examination and discussion. This is also in the context of the French Revolution. Adams also opposed the gradual formation of two political parties.

Adams is portrayed as a president who began the Navy and was enthusiastic about it but who also opposed to standing army and dissolved it when it appeared that there would not be a war with France. His efforts to avoid a war with France are emphasized.

The story of his failure to be reelected and the involvement of Alexander Hamilton in that is fascinating. The mudslinging nature of the campaign shows that was a part of politics right from the start.

John and Abigail Adams were the first to live in Washington DC when they moved there from Philadelphia at the end of his term.

The story ends are in great debt to the fact that people including the founding fathers corresponded at great length and left their letters for posterity. The story of John Adams after leaving the presidency is filled by such correspondence including a significant exchange of letters over a number of years between Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

My experience of this book in the Audible for about four years after I first read it as vastly improved my appreciation for the work and I have increased my esteem from three stars to five stars. I am now fully involved in reading biographies of the founding fathers and I am enjoying the experience. One aspect of this particular biography is its focus on the participation of Abigail Adams on the career of her husband.

I highly recommend this biography in the Audible format.

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.

Magnificent. A tremendous book that more than does justice to one of our noblest founding fathers and greatest of public servants.

Having previously read the George Washington and Alexander Hamilton biographies by Ron Chernow, and the Benjamin Franklin bio by Walter Isaacson, (in which John Adams features many times over) I was eager to learn more about the 2nd President of the United States.
Well, this account of the life of John Adams is with out a doubt, the best biography that I have ever read! As the march of history unfolds through a tremulous 18th century, David McCullough does a masterful job utilizing primary sources to uncover Adams true thoughts, idea's and observations. I especially enjoyed all the correspondence between John and his wife Abigail, and later his eldest son (and pride and joy) John Quincy. The inclusion of so many letters and diary entries really helped me get the measure of the man. What a man he must have been; honest, frugal, a devoted husband, father, friend and patriot. Most of all, John Adams was surely a good man and a role model to future generations.
It will be interesting to see how well this epic biography translated to the small screen in the HBO mini-series John Adams starring Paul Giamatti as the man himself. If it's half as good as the biography, I'm in for a real treat.
5- Stars. Perfect!

אין מספיק מילים לתאר את ההישג הפנומנלי שהשיג דיויד מקלו בביוגרפיה הזו.

ביוגרפיה מרתקת, קולחת ומקיפה של חייו ופועלו של ג'ון אדאמס, הנשיא השני של ארה"ב ומהאבות המייסדים של ארה"ב. אבל לא רק. דיויד מקלו מצליח באופן יוצא מן הכלל לשזור את ההיסטוריה הפוליטית והחברתית ואת האירועים בחייו של אדאמס כך שמתקבלת תמונה פנורמית ועשירה של האיש ופועלו ביחס לתקופה ובתוך המרקם החברתי שבו פעל. הוא מתבסס על מכתבים תקופתיים שכתבו אדמאס, אישתו אביגייל ודמויות שונות שעימן החליף תכתובות כמו תומס ג'פרסון. הוא מתבסס על עיתונות התקופה וכתבים תקופתיים וכל זה מעבר לבבליוגרפיה מפורטת.

מהביוגרפיה עולה תמונה של אדם צנוע, אינטיליגנט, חם ואוהב אדם, מסור למטרה ולמדינתו כמו גם למשפחתו. פוליטיקאי חף מתככנות, שנאמן לדרכו ולאמונותיו אותן הוא פעל לקדם גם במחירים אישיים. נדיר למצוא היום פוליטיקאים מהזן הזה, שכך רואים את טובת המדינה והעם שלהם לפני הכל ומדובר על תקופה שבה הפעילות הציבורית לא היוותה מקור הכנסה משמעותי, כך שמרבית נטל הככנסה הושת על המשפחות ולא על המדינה (ספרו על כך לנציגים הנפלאים שלנו שיושבים בכנסת ובממשלה ולא רק שדואגים להעלות את השכר שלהם באלפי שקלים בכל שנה, אלא גם בוכים ומייללים שהם מסכנים והשכר שלהם לא הולם את המשרה והמעמד שלהם...- אגב לאדאמס לא היה מטוס פרטי, את רוב הוצאותיו הוא כיסה מכיסו וגם כשהגיע לדיוני הקונגרס שיכנו אותו בחדר קטנטן שנותר להשכרה.)

לא אכנס לנבכי הביוגרפיה ואפשר לקרוא על פועלו של ג'ון אדאמס בוויקפדיה ובכלל באינטרנט. אולם, אני מפצירה בכם לקרוא את הביוגרפיה בשל שני ההיבטים המרתקים באמת בביוגרפיה הזו:

הראשון מערכת יחסיו עם אישתו אביגייל, שהיתה ציר מרכזי בחייו והיוותה מקור לאהבתו, געגוגעיו וכמיהתו. למרות שבמשך השנים, היו תקופות ארוכות בהן חיו בנפרד (יש לציין באומללות וגעדועים רבים), בחלק מהתקופות הוא חי באירופה והיא בארה"ב תוך שהיא שומרת על תפעול החווה שבבעלותם ומגדלת את הילדים, לאורך כל חייו וחייה, נהגו בני הזוג להתכתב ולהסתמך אחד על השני לתמיכה נפשית ומוסרית. קטעי המכתבים מציירים סיפור אהבה גדול מהחיים.

היא היתה המשען שלו, אשת אמונו, התומכת הנלהבת ביותר שלו גם בשעותיו הקשות. היא היתה היועצת שלו ומי שוויתרה עבורו על חיי משפחה מסורתיים.

היא זכתה להערכה מהקולגות הפוליטיות שלו וחלקם אף ניהלו תכתובות איתה, ללא קשר למערכות היחסים שלהם עם אדאמס.

הוא ראה בה נפש תאומה, מקור לגאווה ולאהבה. ולמרות המחוייבויות הפוליטיות והחברתיות שלו תמיד קדמו למשפחתו ולה, מהמכתבים ניכר עד כמה תמיד היתה בליבו, בנפשו ובמחשבתו. לשניהם היתה תפיסה כל כך עמוקה של מחוייבות ציבורית שלהם, כך גם כאשר הדבר פגע בהם כלכלית, הם שניהם היו שותפים ברמה האישית לדרך הציבורית.

ההיבט השני המרתק בביוגרפיה הזו הוא מערכת יחסיו עם ג'פרסון כפי שהיא נפרסת לאורך השנים הרבות. מערכת יחסים טעונה של אהבה שינאה ואהבה. שלוותה בנתק ארוך של שנים וחזרה לקשרים רק בשלהי חייהם, כאשר על מיטת מותו הוא סבר שחברו שרד כשלמעשה שניהם נפטרו באותו היום, 4 ליולי.

בכלל הביוגרפיה הזו לא חוסכת בפרטים על חייו של ג'פרסון ואפשר לחשוב שלסופר לא נותרה עבודה רבה להשלמת ביוגרפיה על חייו של ג'פרסון. דמותו של תומס ג'פרסון היתה כל כך שונה באופן קיצוני מזו של אדאמס, שהסופר משתמש בדמותו של ג'פרסון כדי להנגיד בינהם ולהאיר את הצדדים החיוביים באישיותו של אדאמס. ולא רק לגבי פערים אישיותיים בהתנהלות של כל אחת מהדמויות אלא הוא מקדיש גם ניתוח עומק לפערים פוליטיים שהתגבשו לאחר החתימה על מגילת העצמאות. אדאמס הלעומתי שתמיד הלך אחר צו מצפונו ואמונתו.

מעבר להבדל הבולט בינהם שאדאמס היה עיקבי בדעותיו, והצהיר ופעל באופן כן וישר מול עמיתיו ויריביו הפוליטיים למול ג'פרסון שפעל בדרכים עקלקלות, לא ישרות, מאחורי הגב ובאופן שלעיתים סתר את עצמו, היו עוד מספר הבדלים באורח החיים שלהם:

הבדל משמעותי בין שניהם היה אורח החיים הצנוע של אדאמס, שלקראת סוף חייו גם לא הותיר חובות לילדיו לעומת אורח חיים ראוותני ובזבזני של ג'פרסון, שבמקום מסויים בביוגרפיה הזו נכתב עליו שחזר מלונדון עם היקף מטען שלא נראה כמותו מעולם עד אז.

ג'פרסון גם השקיע באחוזתו מונטצ'ילו בה בילה שנים ארוכות בעיצוב והרחבה, עד כדי כך שבסוף חייו נערכה מגבית לכיסוי חובותיו.

הבדל משמעותי אחר היה ביחס לעבדים. אדאמס סירב להחזיק עבדים, בזמן שג'פרסון לא רק החזיק בעבדים אלא במקום מסויים בספר נטען כי היתה לו מערכת יחסים עם אחת השפחות שילדה לו מספר ילדים.

למרות אורכו, מדובר באמת באחד המסמכים ההיסטוריים המרתקים שיצא לי לקרוא. בכל עמוד רואים את אהבתו של הכותב לנושא הביוגרפיה ולתקופה עליה הוא כותב. אני שמחה שהשקעתי בספר את הזמן, הוא יותר מראוי לקריאה.

This was a workmanlike biography, which I devoured very quickly but also found to be fairly prosaic. There is a lot of "then this happened, then this happened". I think what got sort of lost with this approach was a truly clear sense of how Adams fit into the historical and political moment - for example, what the Continental Congress was or did remains murky, and McCullough seems to devote very few pages to Adams's candidacy in 1796 - all of a sudden he is the frontrunning candidate. Hundreds of pages instead are given to Adams largely inconsequential sojourns in Europe. All in all good, but didn't feel as analytically precise as it could have been.

McCullough dazzled with his depiction of Harry Truman and brings that passion now to look at the life of John Adams. As he tackles the more daunting task of bringing this Founding Father and former president to life, through a plethora of research and historical tomes, McCullough illustrates the varied life Adams lived and the complexities of his journey. Presenting Adams as both a man of the people and a politically-minded gentleman, McCullough shows how he shaped the formation of the United States and led it through its early years. Crossing paths with numerous greats, Adams not only took from them but also added some of his own ideas, which benefitted all who took the time to synthesise the discussion. Throughout the biography, McCullough shows three predominant sides to Adams, all of which play an important part in his entire personality: Adams the advocate, the political leader, and the family man, though not necessarily in that order of importance. Written in a clear and fluid manner, McCullough does an amazing job of showing John Adams to be more than a stuffy politician who signed the Declaration of Independence. I have new-found respect and admiration for Adams and took way so much from this one book, as I do whenever I give McCullough the chance to teach.

McCullough makes reference throughout that Adams enjoyed playing the role of advocate, especially for the underprivileged. In his early years as a lawyer, Adams handled defending those whom others would not assist, citing that he wanted to grow both in his knowledge of the law as well as strongly believing that everyone deserved a proper defence. McCullough shows that Adams sought to use his way with words (both the written and spoken) to present as strong a case as possible, no matter the defendant. One might extend this advocacy to Adams' role in Philadelphia, where he acted as one of Massachusetts' representatives at the Continental Congress. Adams planted the seed of formal independence from Britain in the minds of many, through speeches and shaped legislation. McCullough comments that Adams sought to advocate as vociferously as possible against the oppressive George III and tried to promote the idea of an independent country whose rights ought to be held in Congress, not some far-off parliament with no representation. McCullough illustrates Adams' passion for independence and while some of the pre-conference happenings receive but a passing mention (Boston Tea Party, for example), the actual constitutional discussions at the Congress receives much attention and exemplifies how Adams shone repeatedly. After declaring their independent interests in 1776, Congress sent Adams abroad to advocate for treaties of support and commerce in France, as well as peace with England when it became clear that George III's armies would be no match for Washington's forces. Congress went so far as to appoint Adams as the first Ambassador to the Court of St. James', an awkward honour in which Adams thrived. While these were by no means simplistic jobs, Adams took them as challenges in which personal growth was assured. McCullough depicts the trials and tribulations throughout these journeys, binding them together with the thread of intense interest to advocate for what Adams felt was right for all.

As a political leader, Adams looked past his own interests and pushed ideas of the greater whole while working in Congress and overseas. The oft stated belief that a leader ought to look outside themselves and seek what is best for the entire populace may have been based on Adams' life, as he tried to lead others when little or no precedent existed. Working to create a constitution for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Adams drew on some of the key aspects found within the Declaration of Independence (something he thought might be tasked to him before he passed it along to Jefferson), and added key tenets that he felt were best for all those living there, Adams tried to lead by example and to use his passion for his home state (province in the early years) to better everyone. As mentioned above, Adam sought also to lead in his roles as plenipotentiary minister to both The Netherlands (an interesting story told by McCullough about how Adams scored this post) and England, seeking to forge new alliances and political ground for the newly-born state. Through trials and tribulations abounded, Adams worked to foster needed relationships and climb the ladder of importance, which worked when Congress eventually named him the first vice-president of the United States in 1788. The role still new (and the constitution's depiction of the job description lacking), Adams tried to lead from the dais of the President of the Senate, injecting himself into debate and offering up many opinions. Not used to the role well founded now, the vice-president is better seen and not heard, waiting for the demise of the president to assume any true role. Still, through his pamphlet writing, Adams sought to lead the country through his ideas and political commentary on world events, most especially the French Revolution, drawing parallels to the happenings in 1776.

Political leadership took on a new role when Adams narrowly defeated Jefferson (by a mere 3 votes) in the Electoral College in 1797. The presidential campaign of 1796 saw the birth of party politics in America. Tarred and feathered as a monarchist by many of those seeking to derail him, Adams had to shed the moniker in order to move forward and to keep him from the figurative (and perhaps literal) gallows. Forging ahead, Adams used a great deal of his political knowledge to act in as strong a capacity of president as he could. Faced with an openly volatile and confrontational vice-president, Jefferson, the nation faced its most strained administration. While Jefferson tried to set pitfalls for his president, congressional progress appeared glacial and the two parties (the Republicans and the Federalists) sought to stop the other from any crumb of success. McCullough presents much support for the argument that Adams' presidency was ultimately shaped by the post-revolutionary French government, which began goading America into war. Adams built up the needed defences, should war become necessary and proposed two major pieces of legislation to define America for decades thereafter, the Aliens Act, and the Sedition Act. He argued that these pieces of legislation would defend honour and patriotism within America and let foreign potentates know with whom they were dealing. While McCullough posits that peace was Adams' ultimate goal, this is hard to see amongst the military chest bumping. While making the ultimate decision to seek peace, Adams ruffled the feathers of many and may have cast himself in a poor light from thereon in in the eyes of Jefferson and other key Republicans. However, it is his prerogative to do so. This paved the way for the highly vicious campaign of 1800, pitting president against vice-president for the first and only time in history. McCullough presents a highly intriguing story surrounding this campaign and the dirty politicking for which America would eventually become known. McCullough further posits that the outcome of that election hinged greatly on Adams' decision not to go to war with France.

Perhaps his greatest role, seen as a major arc throughout the tome, is that of a family man. McCullough uses this role as an overarching one throughout the book. Abigail Adams plays a central role in the story of John Adams' life and there is no section found therein that McCullough does not have some reference to her importance in his life. Adams valued his family above all others and tried to include them wherever he could. Granted, looking at things through the lens of the time, some might query his dedication to family and he and Abigail discuss stillbirths and deaths by letter, but there is no doubt that Adams did all he did to better the lives of his wife and children, going so far as to bring his sons with him to France and The Netherlands on various plenipotentiary missions. His constant letters to Abigail and the detail in which he discussed his adventures, as well as the poetic way in which he waxed wand waned about missing his brood shows how dedicated he was to their inclusion in his life. McCullough does a wonderful job illustrating this through the book's numerous parts and keeps the theme of family predominant throughout the numerous segues. Bringing family along with him on his numerous political appointments, Adams sought to enrich their lives as much as his own, exemplifying his dedication to the family unit. McCullough shows a strongly supportive father and keen head of household whose determination to open new paths for his children as a central tenet of the biography. Even through his trying years as president, Adams always kept his family close at hand, especially Abigail's near death at the hand of yellow fever. He juggled things as best he could, never shutting him family out to run the executive of the country.

Of interest, McCullough does not isolate the story to the life of John Adams and family. Numerous, detailed accounts of some of the other Founding Fathers and key actors in the rise of American independence whose interactions with Adams were central tasks undertaken by McCullough throughout. Jefferson, Washington, Franklin, and even Madison all receive great attention from McCullough and offer a teaser to the biographical backgrounds of each. Jefferson surely played a significant role in Adams' life, even if they did eventually distance themselves when wearing their respective political hats. The executive clashes between Washington and Adams would likely be accentuated with an alternate perspective, making Ron Chernow's biography of Washington essential. In the same light, Jon Meacham will surely help show Jefferson's side to the numerous clashes with Adams, both as Founding Fathers and within the executive. Some great storytelling surrounding the difficulties Adams and Franklin faced while working 'together' in France may give the reader a new perspective on both, though surely that is to be expected in such a thoroughly documented tome.

One area I had hoped would receive more attention (though the length of the tome justifies its exclusion) is the debates surrounding the independence movement and eventual creation of the Constitution of the United States. Being an institutional reformer, I find it interesting to see where the constitutional seeds germinated and some of the important aspects arose. From his Truman biography, I know that McCullough does present electoral campaigns in a highly detailed fashion. While 1896 was a mere blink of the eye, the re-election campaign of 1800 proved highly entertaining.

Kudos do not seem to be enough to encapsulate how much I enjoyed this biography. Choosing a well-known president (by name, but not necessarily by background) appears to be a strength for McCullough as he weaves the detailed background of their lives, their successes and more certainly their demises. I learned more about early America (and the roots about some of the current goings-on) than I have in all my reading to date. Thank you so very much for this and I hope to dive into another McCullough classic soon.

John Adams is often overshadowed by his contemporaries (especially Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, & Hamilton). With John Adams, David McCullough has single-handedly given this Founding Father’s reputation a new lease on life. It probably didn’t hurt that this was released in an era when Adams was likely to be viewed most favorably (a man of impeccable integrity who never engaged in partisan attacks, who never owned slaves, who had a brilliant and opinionated wife for a partner, and a son who would go on to be president and challenge slavery in his own right).

McCullough is clearly a gifted writer and storyteller. I will say he does tend to portray Adams in the best possible light. While some of Adams’ faults are acknowledged, McCullough portrays the political issues of the day as very black and white (and invariably siding with Adams on most of the major issues). Hamilton and Jefferson do not come off well in this account at all (which is partly their own fault…they did the things described), but many of the nuances and context behind their actions are glossed over which tend to make them easily attacked caricatures.

That said, this was an incredibly enjoyable read and should give everyone a great appreciation for an incredibly consequential founding father. He was a workhorse of the young Continental Congress, a gifted political theorist (he wrote the MA Constitution), a man of consummate integrity and courage (whether defending America or British Soldiers in the Boston Massacre trial), an effective diplomat and spokesman (securing Dutch loans that literally saved the war effort), and a decent human being and president who saved the country from what would have been a popular (and utterly disastrous) war with France. Highly recommended. 4 stars. [Note: first read in 2003, re-read in 2022].

What follows are my notes on the book:

Born in Braintree, MA in 1735. The Adams line arrived in 1638 during the Puritan migration. They were hard-working and frugal farmers who labored to survive the harsh winters. His family wanted John to go to Harvard and become a minister. When enrolled in a private school with proper attention, he blossomed and was deemed fit for college by age 15. He discovered a love of study and books at Harvard and decided he would be a better lawyer than preacher. During the French and Indian War, he thought more about politics.

In true Puritan fashion, Adams was subject to waves of loneliness, discontent, and critical of himself and his abilities. Vanity he believed was his chief failing. By 1756, he contracted to apprentice under another attorney for 2 years. Unsure of himself, he observed other prominent attorneys in Boston. He was admitted to the bar in 1759.

Despite his prickly demeanor, he had a talent for friendship. He met Abigail Smith, a reverend’s daughter in 1759. His father passed in 1761, giving him a substantial property inheritance in Braintree. In his newly inherited home he opened his law office. After establishing himself and a courtship of 5 years, he married Abigail in 1764. This marriage would prove the most important decision of his life as she proved a remarkably capable partner and advisor. Children Nabby and John Quincy quickly followed.

Hearing of the Stamp Act, he published his first political essays that struck a chord with his fellow New Englanders. He rode the circuit, arguing all manner of cases. His Boston practice was so active he moved there in 1768. He defended the British soldiers in the Boston Massacre when no one else would take the case. An act of great bravery and integrity that risked his reputation and business. He delivered a virtuoso performance and secured their acquittal.

His 2nd son Charles was born in 1770. In 1774, the British closed harbor in response to the Boston Tea Party. That same year the legislature selected him as a delegate to the First Continental Congress. Abigail remained behind to witness Washington’s feat of moving the cannons from Ticonderoga above the town, humiliating the British as they abandoned Boston.

Adams kept a detailed diary, in which he recorded details about the other delegates (including some cynical observations). In the midst of revolution, he returned for the Second Continental Congress in 1775, working 12-14 hours a day. He served on all the most important committees and was among the first to speak openly of declaring independence. He thought Dickinson’s Olive Branch Petition naïve and spared with him in Congress. Adams was shunned for his views, until Common Sense led to greater enthusiasm for independence.

Adams’ naval committee established the country’s navy and its first regulations. Looking beyond the war to what would follow, he wrote his views on a possible future government (including an executive, bicameral legislature, and an independent judiciary).

His preamble to a resolution for the colonies to assume all powers of government all but declared independence. When Congress voted to proceed, Adams self-deprecatingly proposed Jefferson to draft the Declaration. Adams’ responsibilities grew exponentially, already on 23 committees, he was now to chair the Board of War. Adams gave an impassioned speech to seal the deal before the official vote. John Adams more than anyone had made it happen (pg 129). Adams initially viewed July 2nd as the date of independence (the final vote would be 2 days later).
Adams felt unequal to the task before him, virtually running the war with all the demands that came before him. The numerous colonial currencies and short term enlistments further complicated his efforts. The strain took a huge toll. His family was inoculated against smallpox. Never accustomed to being separated from Abigail, his duties made it inevitable. Adams opposed the 1 state, 1 vote arrangement under the proposed Articles of Confederation. As Washington’s defeats mounted, Adams believed a treaty with France was all that could save their fledgling republic.

Inflation and shortages plagued the country. Adams was appointed commissioner to France (around the time the army settled into Valley Forge). He set out with all secrecy for a dangerous crossing during winter and war. On the voyage, Adams expressed interest in every aspect of navy life and survived the treacherous crossing. Adams was shocked by French opulence (and promiscuity). He was also frustrated with Franklin’s neglect and slipshod methods. When Congress sided with Franklin, Adams felt used and angry. Without a job, he brooded.

After a year and a half apart, his return was a joyous occasion. Home barely a week and he was appointed to serve in the state constitutional Convention. He was the principle drafter of the MA state constitution. After this, he was appointed minister plenipotentiary to negotiate peace with Great Britain. Marooned in Spain, he went overland through the Pyrenees! France grew frustrated with him and dealt only with Franklin. Franklin betrayed him in letters to Congress.

Adams headed to negotiate Dutch loans of his own initiative. JQA accompanied the new US minister to St. Petersburg. After more than a year, and faced with serious illness, he was acknowledged by Holland as the official ambassador and secured loans from three banking houses. John Jay summoned him to England for peace negotiations. Violating their orders to have all decisions blessed by the French, Adams and Jay secured a separate peace treaty with the UK. Adams, Franklin and Jay signed the final treaty. It had been 9 years since that First Continental Congress.

Abigail sailed for Europe in 1784, at age 39, having never been away from home in her life. After a separation of 4 years, they were reunited. Adams again negotiated a key loan from Holland. They socialized with Jefferson, recently appointed to replace Franklin. Jefferson’s presence in Paris was a godsend to Adams. Both Jefferson and Adams asked Congress for raises to meet their expenses (though Adams was frugal and Jefferson extravagant). He attempted to negotiate a trade deal, but the British were obdurate. In JQA’s 7 years from home he had seen more of Europe than any American and was extremely accomplished.

Adams was appointed the first US minister to the Court of St. James. He made a strong and favorable first impression with King George, but was unable to accomplish much with the British, who still believed that the US would eventually fail and return to their orbit. The cost of living in London was a burden on Adams. He was continuously slandered in the European press. Throughout he maintained his composure. British complacency was massive, leading to few diplomatic wins. The British had failed to live up to their responsibilities from the Peace treaty, but so had the Americans who were delinquent in repaying their debts. Without a proper American government, empowered to tax and act, there was little motivation to negotiate with Adams.

Adams read the new proposed Constitution with great satisfaction. His only quibble was the absence of a declaration of rights. While Jefferson feared monarchy, Adams feared aristocracy. At age 55, after 10 years abroad, he was recalled to the US. Hamilton’s behind the scenes politicking ensured Adams would receive many fewer electors in the first presidential election (he would have lost to Washington regardless). The farmer from Braintree was the country’s first VP. With so many issues of national consequence to address, Adams was again plagued by self-doubt. Adams made his first major blunder advocating for aggrandizing titles for the President (which he believed added dignity and gravity to the position but which proved out of touch with Republican sentiment). Adams was mocked as “his rotundity.” He was clearly not a monarchist, but the charge followed him the remainder of his career after this blunder. It also alienated him from Washington and ensured his time as VP would be inconsequential. Nevertheless, Adams never missed a Senate session.

News of the French Revolution shocked the US. While Adams was initially supportive, he predicted a tragic outcome (he believed French atheism would undermine the effort, a chaste people being essential to the success of a Republic). Adams shared Washington’s growing concern of party sentiment and factionalism. His and Jefferson’s views drifted apart. Hamilton and Jefferson’s feud (and differing views on the French) threatened to tear the country apart. Washington was the one man who could hold the country together. Adams had come to terms with his role by this point. Washington and Adams were re-elected to a 2nd term.

As France descended into anarchy, Adams viewed the situation with pity and contempt. He now viewed Jefferson as a fanatic. Adams backed Washington and his neutrality proclamation. JQA’s appointment as minister to the Netherlands filled him with pride. Knowing British intransigence, Adams supported the Jay Treaty as the best that could hope to be achieved. As VP, Adams cast 31 tie-breaking votes, more than any VP in history.

As heir apparent, Adams was pilloried by the Republican press. Likewise, Jefferson was decried as a Jacobin and atheist. Alexander Hamilton renewed his old tricks, trying to elevate support for Pinckney over Adams or Jefferson. Adams viewed Hamilton as a hypocrite with no integrity. His (narrow) victory in the Electoral College gave him an air of respect that had been entirely absent the last 8 years. His decision to retain Washington’s cabinet (who were loyal to arch-enemy Hamilton) would prove another critical mistake. Adams naively believed he would receive the same level of support from VP Jefferson as he had given to Washington.

Adams made a fresh attempt at peace with France. France’s outright rejection of Pinckney raised the real prospect of war. Adams chose a dual course…new peace overtures and a military buildup. The later infuriated Jefferson who viewed it as preparation for war. The US was already in an undeclared war, with the French attacking US shipping. Jefferson bankrolled Republican press attacks. Adams continued his naval buildup. News of Hamilton’s affair emboldened Republicans. News of the XYZ affair reversed the trend and gave the Federalists (and Adams) a burst of popular patriotic support.

Contrary to popular expectations, Adams did not ask for a declaration of war. He did however sign the Alien and Sedition Acts, which only ceded moral legitimacy to the Republicans. Washington was named nominal commander of the new Army w/ Hamilton #2. Nelson’s destruction of the French Navy in Egypt finally eliminated the threat of war.

Adams shocked the Senate when he appointed a new ambassador to France. This move alienated his federalist allies. Behind the move was an ulterior motive, to prevent the rise of Hamilton as a new Bonaparte. With the collapse of the French Directory, Hamilton made another move and tried to convince Adams and his cabinet to withdraw the peace commission. Adams held strong and pulled the rug out from under Hamilton and his dreams of military glory.

He was devastated by his second son Charles, now a bankrupt alcoholic.

Washington’s death in 1799 and Napoleon‘s new status as First Consul marked the changing of an era. The infatuation with the French revolution was now at an end.

Adams asked McHenry and Pickering for their resignation…the later who refused to resign. So he fired both. Future Chief Justice John Marshall replaced Pickering as Sec of State. Hamilton released a petty political broadside on Adams, all but dooming his chance for reelection. Still it was very close, with one state (NY) tipping the scales to the Republicans. Adams kept out of the debate when the election was to be decided in the house. In a series of last second appointments he filled numerous judgeships including Marshall as Chief Justice.

The Adams were the first couple to reside in the White House, then but a shell. Abigail in particular was annoyed by slaves (both the morality of it and the absurdity and wastefulness compared to stout New England laborers). News of the peace treaty with France would not arrive in time to sway the election.

Adams may have been bitter, however there is no documentary evidence whatsoever. He may have just been relieved to be returning home. He was leaving his successor the country at peace with the world, its coffers full, its agriculture prosperous, and a strong navy to defend it. The new Navy was a remarkable achievement. In two years it went from nothing to more than 50 ships and 5000 seamen. He had proved that a strong defense and peace were not mutually exclusive. In fact the new navy likely contributed to the favorable negotiations with France.

JQA returned to the US. Adams love working on his little farm which would sustain them and they’re growing family. Charles’ widow and children moved in along with Nabby and her four kids. Abigails death was a huge blow. In retirement, he enjoyed a robust correspondence with Rush and Jefferson. He was unbelievable proud of his son’s ascendance to the Presidency. He died on July 4th, 1826, the same day as Jefferson.

"The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to know....Do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly. This is enough..."

McCullough's splendid biography is written so beautifully that the pages fly by. I polished off this book in less than a week, then turned right back to the beginning and started reading it again, this time taking notes and studying the life and writings of this thoroughly admirable man.

Even in an age of heroes, John Adams was extraordinary: for his wisdom, his courage, his virtue, his refusal to take the easy path when his conscience and insight pointed to a harder way.

I found the final two chapters on his life as Farmer John of Stoneyfield particularly moving. "Something I must do, or ennui will rain upon me in buckets." Gradually, he found his way to contentment: Abigail wrote to Thomas "Your father...appears to enjoy tranquility and a freedom of care which he had never before experienced. His books and farm occupy his attention."

Adams was remarkably free from rancor and bitterness. When scandalous tales of Jefferson's liaison with his slave, Sally Hemings surfaced, Adams was largely silent. He and Abigail "put the issue squarely where it belonged saying...that all such stories of slave masters and their slave women were metaphors for the overriding sin of slavery itself." But sadly, it would take over eleven years for the breach between the former friends to be healed.

In 1805, after four years at Quincy, Adams began to reach out to others and started a "vivid correspondence" with his old friend Benjamin Rush that was "to occupy much of their time and bring each continuing enjoyment." Finally, on New Year's Day 1812, Adams took up his pen to write a short letter to Jefferson, breaking a decade of silence.

His many letters to Rush, Jefferson and others filled his days, but he also walked about four miles every day when weather permitted and he and Abigail managed the farms and kept their home always open to their children and grandchildren. "Griefs upon griefs! Disappointments upon disappointments. What then? This is a gay, merry world notwithstanding."

"John Adams" is the gold standard for biographies and easily makes my list of favorite books of all time. When I took up "John Adams" I had just finished biographies of Franklin and Washington. Both had the opportunity to work closely with Adams (but interestingly, not each other). However, Franklin found Adams an abrasive partner in Paris and Washington chose to ignore his vice president for years at a time. Let's just say I would not have next turned to a 651-page biography of Adams had it not been for David McCullough.

Even during the periods when Adams's accomplishments were few and far between (in Europe or as vice president), the picture that McCullough paints is captivating. It didn't hurt that Adams had one of the most fascinating and loving wives of any of America's presidents. I still can't believe how many letters they wrote to each other as well as their family and friends. As a result, we get fascinating descriptions of their voyages to Europe and portraits of Louis XVI and George III. Of course you also have the side-stories of their enduring friendship with Jefferson and their eldest son becoming president just as John's life is coming to a close.

There are so many great quotes by John and Abigail as well as those around them. I have never written "wow" so many times in my marginalia. My favorite quote with relevance today is one that is carved in the mantle of the White House's State Dining Room: "I pray Heaven to Bestow the best of Blessings on this House and all that hereafter shall inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof." Has the Trumpster seen it?