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John Adams | 
 enlarge | Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
Category: EBooks
List Price: $18.95
Buy New: $4.95
You Save: $14.00 (74%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  779 reviews
Sales Rank: 327
Format: Kindle Book
Media: Kindle Edition
Edition: 1st
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 752
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.44092
ASIN: B000FC0QHA
Publication Date: May 22, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Amazon.com Review
Left to his own devices, John Adams might have lived out his days as a Massachusetts country lawyer, devoted to his family and friends. As it was, events swiftly overtook him, and Adams--who, David McCullough writes, was "not a man of the world" and not fond of politics--came to greatness as the second president of the United States, and one of the most distinguished of a generation of revolutionary leaders. He found reason to dislike sectarian wrangling even more in the aftermath of war, when Federalist and anti-Federalist factions vied bitterly for power, introducing scandal into an administration beset by other difficulties--including pirates on the high seas, conflict with France and England, and all the public controversy attendant in building a nation. Overshadowed by the lustrous presidents Washington and Jefferson, who bracketed his tenure in office, Adams emerges from McCullough's brilliant biography as a truly heroic figure--not only for his significant role in the American Revolution but also for maintaining his personal integrity in its strife-filled aftermath. McCullough spends much of his narrative examining the troubled friendship between Adams and Jefferson, who had in common a love for books and ideas but differed on almost every other imaginable point. Reading his pages, it is easy to imagine the two as alter egos. (Strangely, both died on the same day, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.) But McCullough also considers Adams in his own light, and the portrait that emerges is altogether fascinating. --Gregory McNamee
Product Description
In this powerful, epic biography, David McCullough unfolds the adventurous life journey of John Adams, the brilliant, fiercely independent, often irascible, always honest Yankee patriot who spared nothing in his zeal for the American Revolution; who rose to become the second president of the United States and saved the country from blundering into an unnecessary war; who was learned beyond all but a few and regarded by some as "out of his senses"; and whose marriage to the wise and valiant Abigail Adams is one of the most moving love stories in American history.This is history on a grand scale -- a book about politics and war and social issues, but also about human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship, and betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas. Above all, John Adams is an enthralling, often surprising story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 774 more reviews...
 Outstanding! November 19, 2008
I can't tell if this is about the guy who screwed George Washington out of a job or that guy who doesn't like to drink Merlot.
Illuminating November 17, 2008
I'll be honest: prior to reading this book I knew precious little about John Adams. I assumed he was very much the "obnoxious and disliked" man portrayed in the musical 1776 who had the unfortunate task of following up George Washington as President. Yet having read David McCullough's book my viewpoint has changed thanks to this well written book.
With John Adams author David McCullough has brought one of the most overlooked founding fathers back to life. McCullough's book reads not like a biography but rather like a novel. Many biographies simply focus on the events of that person's life but not necessarily the influences upon them but that is something that McCullough does admirable. He does not simply tell us about Adams or his actions but traces the life of this amazing man.
McCullough does this is a number of ways. McCullough brings to life the various stages that Adams life played out upon with a skill usually reserved for novelists, the best examples being Philadelphia in the lead up to the Declaration being signed and Adams retirement. McCullough also makes the various people who populate the events of Adams life not just names (both famous and obscure) but true living people as well. Yet perhaps the biggest way that McCullough brings Adams to life is by making extensive use of the correspondence of Adams and his beloved wife Abigail. While Adams might be a founding father he was also a human being, an ordinary man in extraordinary times to evoke a cliche, and that is something that the correspondence that peepers the book makes clear.
With the skills of a novelist McCullough paints an amazing portrait of an amazing man. From studying the influences of Adams early life to bringing to life the various places Adams visited to the use of the correspondence of Adams and his wife Abigail, this is no ordinary biography. David McCullough's John Adams is the illumination of history and a highly readable biography.
We were fortunate to have him November 17, 2008
A wonderful book. I feel I am there in Massachusetts with John & Abigail Adams, & know them both as friends. Historically thorough and complete, it should be required reading in American schools. I loved it!
Fascinating and in depth... November 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Like another reviewer, my larger introduction to John Adams was through the 1970s musical "1776". I became aware of David McCullough after purchasing his (unrelated) book, also called "1776". When I saw "John Adams" on a bookstore shelf, I cracked it open and was immediately intrigued.
McCullough keeps the story moving, without dismissing details that help fill in a sense of time, place and person. The generous inclusion of personal correspondence, and not just that of the Adamses, was very beneficial in conveying (even authenticating) the motives and perspectives of the people involved. Adams was not perfect, and neither he nor McCullough ever comes close to describing him as such. But he was the essence of a good, principled man who unlike Thomas Jefferson, did not advocate standards he himself did not live by. He did not shift loyalties nor positions for political convenience. His integrity, industry and intellect are well-conveyed in this book, and it is obvious that he is to be admired for his life beyond the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Beyond Adams' story, I found it fascinating how vicious politics was very early in this country's history, and the role of the press who apparently had free rein in circulating the most libelous personal attacks to serve the ends of their preferred party. There appears to have been no provision at the time for litigation of libel, etc. (This was part of what led to the Sedition Act, which was neither conceived of nor desired by Adams. While a dark spot of his presidency, the Act must have seemed a prudent measure to him, given the untoward influence of the press in elections and appointments.) The nature of unlikely alliances, cloak-and-dagger scheming, and betrayal of ideals and people might seem a phenomenon of modern political times, especially in the recent campaign season, but the book shows how such a mood prevailed when the country was still in its infancy. In fact, it almost destroyed the nation's viability.
Another role model emerges in the person of Abigail Adams. Physically she was less robust and healthy than John, but her clarity of thought and intuition matched and often exceeded his. They truly were soulmates in the highest sense of the word.
For a study in personal courage and idealism, set in the richness of history, this book could take its place near the top.
Magnificent biography November 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
David McCullough paints a remarkable story of one of the greatest heroes in American history, John Adams.
This underrated founding father and president finally gets his due as a devoted husband,father, and patriot, a man who did not seek great fame or honor, but had it thrust upon him. Adams emerges as a strong intellect, sharp debater, and clever diplomat,ready to engage in dangerous missions to save his country. A man does not need to be a soldier to fight for one's country.
The tome is always accessible and readable, even for a casual reader. Don't let the size intimidate you.
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