frankiethek
"Excellent biography!"
A Lunch Community
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David McCullough's volume was of great satisfaction to me. Mr Adams and his son John Quincy have always been personal heros of mine. Just as Amistad gave the country a look at John Quincy, Mr. McCullough give us a look at John warts and all.
+5
The warts are few. Over and over we see a man singing the praises of virtue, frugality, honesty, in short CHARACTER!
I suspect that the success of this book has something to do with the times. Adams (and his son and wife) are just the type of examples and heroes we need these days. They set the example by DOING what is right and proper for the country, rather than by platitudes for public consumption (or Polls).
In these times of spin (read lies and deceptions) thanks to McCullough's discovery that he and NOT Jefferson was the picture he wanted to paint, Mr. Adams and his family manage to serve their country by reminding us what we are and what we can be.
The book is worthy of the praise it has recieved. I only wish every member of congress and all those who work for BOTH political parties can read it and learn. Unfortunately I suspect some will learn that the price of honesty and true public serivce is a single term and no face on Rushmore. I hope and pray that I am wrong.
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John Adams was an 80-year-old former President and still constant patriot when his beloved wife wrote these words, as reported in McCullough's masterful biography: "Your father's zeal for books will be one of the last desires which will quit him," Abigail observed to [son] John Quincy in the spring of 1816, as Adams eagerly embarked on a sixteen volume French history. It is most fitting, then, that this founder, who has no monument in Washington, DC to mark his place in the pantheon … more
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It took me several months to get through this book. It is well-researched but VERY lengthy and dry at times. Don't start it unless you are a history buff with a lot of time on your hands. Overall, the book matched the trajectory of Adams' life. I was interested to learn about his early career as a lawyer in Boston - he defended some of the British soldiers involved in the Boston massacre. His logic for representing them is actually quite moving to read and reflect … more
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McCullough shows Adams to be one of the more boring men of rthe time. Unable to make a sucess in many fields, such as farmer, lawyer, diplomat so they made him the Presidnet
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This was an incredibly inspiring read. The very foundation of our nation is unveiled. John Adams was at the forefront of our nations beginnings, he is a hero and is hailed as such in this inspiring read. I would recommend this book in heartbeat to anyone. The book reads like a novel, Mccullough writes as if he lived right along side John Adams. He knows things that could only be attained through long and arduous research. This book is exciting, it makes you feel proud … more
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David McCullough has an insight when it comes to historical figures.
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Quick Tip by JohnLee.
June 11, 2010
Awesome book and history, Good read.
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review by mesteverena.
July 19, 2009
Every entrepreneur gets a charge from scribbling on a blank sheet of paper and then making the dream a reality. Who then was responsible for the most audacious, successful startup in history? The startup referenced here is, of course, the United States of America. The "original architect" was none other than John Adams. David McCoullough's deft prose describe the important contribution of a brilliant mind. Who conceived of a three branch government? That would … more
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review by cdbaker.
March 01, 2009
McCullough has done a great service in reminding us what an important influence John Adams had in the founding of our nation. He is too often a forgotten figure in our nation's pantheon of founders. Adams' importance in securing our independence and protecting and perpetuating the federal government under the Constitution is arguably greater than Thomas Jefferson's. Among Adams' accomplishments: (1) He was an important influence in the committee that revised Jefferson's draft of the Declaration … more
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The book is written in an easy-to-read narrative which will capture the interest of any American history enthusiast. John Adams was a graduate of Harvard College, a United States President and busy advocate for legal clients. In 1772, he appeared in over 200 Superior Court cases with famous clients like John Hancock. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress. Jonathan Sewall concluded early that Adams was headed for greatness. … more
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About the reviewer
Peter Ingemi (DaTechGuy)
I am a blogger who hosts a Saturday evening Radio show on WCRN 830 AM out of Worcester Mass. I blog about politics, religion, baseball and doctor who at datechguy.wordpress.com I also cover … more
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About this book
Pulitzer Prize winning biography of the 2nd President of the United States, John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826).
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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 ...
ISBN-10:
0743223136
ISBN-13:
978-0743223133
Author:
David McCollough
Genre:
American History,Biography,
Biographies & Memoirs,
History,
Nonfiction
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster
Date Published:
September 2002
Format:
Hardback,Paperback
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