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John Adams
 

John Adams

by David McCullough

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... (read more)

Top tags: biography,  history,  american history,  politics,  nonfiction (all tags)

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Other Reviews

Amazon Reviews (5)
 

Most Helpful Reviews

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2 of 2 members found this review helpful.
Tinky
  • Rated 5 stars

“Before I read this dazzling biography, John Adams was little more to me than a name stuck between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson when naming the Presidents of the United States. McCullough, one of America’s most beloved historians, does a magnificent piece of historical resuscitation to our least glamorous Founding Father. Adams comes alive in all his waddling humanity, wry self-deprecation, and almost comic vanity and arrogance. Along the way, the entire era comes alive – the...”

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Community:
  • Rated 4.386871 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4.5 stars
  

Newest Comments

  • Rick R

    rick r said:

    “My admiration for John Adams started when I came in 2nd place (irony) in an district wide essay contest in the 4th grade. I remember be recognized for writing what must have been a good essay on my subject--John Adams. Anyways, I read Mr. McCullough's book and enjoyed its throughness; as well as, the detail of Abigail's journalistic insights. I was also pleased to know that Mr. Adams was a voracious reader, and made an impact far beyond most Americans will ever realize!”

    posted Saturday, July 5 2008
  • Thomas B

    thomas b said:

    “You should read the Alexander Hamilton biography by Ron Chernow, it'll provide you a little balance in evaluating everyone involved. Hamilton was as much a doer as Adams, but Adams had, although understandabler, a little bit of an arrogance with regard to his family having been so long established on the colonies. Likewise Hamilton had pride because of his ability, and because Adams and Jefferson had simplistic understandings of the capitalist system.

    Outside of authoring the Declaration along with Adams, and contributing the Bill of Rights along with Madison, Jefferson did not accomplish nearly as much as Adams and Hamilton did. Unfortunately Madison and Jefferson were teammates, and Adams and Hamilton rivals. There's a good possibility that had the northeast based Federalists dominated the first 100 years of the U.S. rather than the plantation based Anti Federalists from Virginia, slavery would likely have been done away with, rather than have expanded. Those extra 3/5's votes were just too good politically for Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe to surrender.”

    posted Thursday, May 1 2008
  • Deltasky

    deltasky said:

    “I beg to differ zonkey face. Hamilton! what a criminal. Franklin yes I admire Jefferson a deep character hard to get to know but Adams was a doer, why when he went off to France the first time with his son , both he and his wife were doing this for the good of his Country, he was broke amost all the money he made from his law practise gone to feed his family. My humble oppinion is if not for Adams, the American people today would be singing "God save the Queen" and that is an awfu thought. My husband had always admired Hamilton for intance until he found out what he really was. A small man who would have if he could have been king of these new States United.Jefferson hated Hamilton because he could see him for what he was.Sheila”

    posted Friday, April 25 2008
  • Deltasky

    deltasky said:

    “I could not put this book down. I find President Adams Snr. a good honest decent man and yes a good President maybe a abit misunderstood. Oh that we had such men as he around today to fill the position of President of The United States. John also enjoyed something very rare, both he and his wife were devoted companions all their lives and he was well aware he needed her help and advise she was indeed a Great Woman and he was a Great Man.I feel sad he was not given his due but like today unless you are a handsome colorful character with friends in high places often you amount to nothing due to lack of um what is it..star quality mass appeal. John Adams was as he himself said..Plain John Adams. I see him as good honest John Adams and there are few of those around today to fill the role of President.Sheila”

    posted Monday, April 14 2008
  • Amanda

    amanda said:

    “Read what David Nudo has to say about David McCullough: http://shelfari.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/03/what-is-a-natio.html”

    posted Thursday, March 20 2008
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