You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
David McCullough's "John Adams" is most certainly a masterpiece. My Great Books book club held a discussion on 07/28/18 and I think everyone enjoyed the novel, even those who could not finish it.
In some ways, I think John Adams was the most complex and least understood of the Founding Fathers, although all of them were interesting individuals. John Adams has not received historic accolades, perhaps because he was the first Vice President (always a rather marginal role) and followed in George Washington's large Presidential footsteps.
It is hard to say what John Adams might do if he were alive today, but he dedicated himself to public service (and taught John Quincy to do so, as well) so much so that he was gone much of the time. We forget that it took weeks or months for correspondence ot make its way to the recipient. This delay and lack of technology gives history a treasure trove of Mr. Adams' correspondence, especially that with his lovely wife, Abigail. This short, sometimes brusque man, is credited with building the US Navy and avoiding war through masterful negotiation. He also believed strongly in an educated electorate, which he worked into the Massachusetts Constitution. He felt that wealth should not be path to public service, but that anyone should be able to serve. And he was introspective and in touch with his feelings in a way that many of his contemporaries did not realize.
David McCullough takes a long life and seemingly endless primary sources to paint a never-boring portrait of our second President. Truly an excellent work.
Questions prepared by one of the book club members:
Concerning the July reading, Mc Cullough on John Adams, it has to be said that John Adams and the book both contain multitudes (as Whitman said about himself when he was accused of inconsistency).
What was the most surprising thing you learned about John Adams?
How would you describe his character? Warm and friendly or Cold and reserve? Humble and uncertain or Arrogant and self confident? Other?
How did others see him?
No one is "best" at everything they do. In what role did Adams make his most successful contribution to the American "cause" as -- a) political theorist? b) an organizer of the Revolution? c) a diplomat? d) President?
Gordon Woods in The Radicalism of the American Revolution argues that government in America began as a colonial monarchy (order and hierarchy as prime values), evolved into a republic (virtue or public spiritedness and liberty as prime values) and became a democracy (self-interest and equality as prime values). How would you describe Adams' political thinking?
How would you describe his relationship with George Washington"
… With Abigail?
… With his son John Quincy?
… With Jefferson?
What were Adams' views on slavery?
..on native americans?
If you could invite Adams to dinner at your home what 3 questions would you ask him?
In some ways, I think John Adams was the most complex and least understood of the Founding Fathers, although all of them were interesting individuals. John Adams has not received historic accolades, perhaps because he was the first Vice President (always a rather marginal role) and followed in George Washington's large Presidential footsteps.
It is hard to say what John Adams might do if he were alive today, but he dedicated himself to public service (and taught John Quincy to do so, as well) so much so that he was gone much of the time. We forget that it took weeks or months for correspondence ot make its way to the recipient. This delay and lack of technology gives history a treasure trove of Mr. Adams' correspondence, especially that with his lovely wife, Abigail. This short, sometimes brusque man, is credited with building the US Navy and avoiding war through masterful negotiation. He also believed strongly in an educated electorate, which he worked into the Massachusetts Constitution. He felt that wealth should not be path to public service, but that anyone should be able to serve. And he was introspective and in touch with his feelings in a way that many of his contemporaries did not realize.
David McCullough takes a long life and seemingly endless primary sources to paint a never-boring portrait of our second President. Truly an excellent work.
Questions prepared by one of the book club members:
Concerning the July reading, Mc Cullough on John Adams, it has to be said that John Adams and the book both contain multitudes (as Whitman said about himself when he was accused of inconsistency).
What was the most surprising thing you learned about John Adams?
How would you describe his character? Warm and friendly or Cold and reserve? Humble and uncertain or Arrogant and self confident? Other?
How did others see him?
No one is "best" at everything they do. In what role did Adams make his most successful contribution to the American "cause" as -- a) political theorist? b) an organizer of the Revolution? c) a diplomat? d) President?
Gordon Woods in The Radicalism of the American Revolution argues that government in America began as a colonial monarchy (order and hierarchy as prime values), evolved into a republic (virtue or public spiritedness and liberty as prime values) and became a democracy (self-interest and equality as prime values). How would you describe Adams' political thinking?
How would you describe his relationship with George Washington"
… With Abigail?
… With his son John Quincy?
… With Jefferson?
What were Adams' views on slavery?
..on native americans?
If you could invite Adams to dinner at your home what 3 questions would you ask him?
David McCullough has an astounding way of making history come alive; using intensive research he's able to collect, not just facts and figures, but all the quirks and anamolies in individuals that make them human. It is a refreshing and wonderful way to pull these historical figures out of the text books and breathe life into them, reminding you that beyond the characterizations there were actual people. People who fought and struggled and loved and messed up and freaked out and grew old and, in other words, lived. From a political standpoint it was equally enlightening as it really brought home the point that many of the debates in American politics that we have today are not some unmoving stalemate, but an opposition that has been going on for 200+ years and was built into our system. I must admit that, of the two, I enjoyed "1776" the most, but "John Adams" taught me the more.
It took 2 years of picking it up and putting it down, but I finally finished!
And glad that I did. And wished I had taken more breaks from it.
I only distinctly remember the last 1/3 of the book, since I was cramming through the first 2/3, trying not to lose momentum. But I loved it. John Adams is such a sensible New Englander, humble regardless of his great accomplishments, and taking enjoyment from simple pleasures, such as his farm, his wife, his family, and the weather. I liked how the story of Jefferson, while shown in not quite as rosy a light, paralleled the story of Adams. It highlighted the differences in their morals, social standing, and thoughts on governance. The two men, longtime political rivals, nevertheless made peace in their later years. I also loved the ending (which was unbeknownst to me), that Adams and Jefferson clung to life and died on the same day, July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
And glad that I did. And wished I had taken more breaks from it.
I only distinctly remember the last 1/3 of the book, since I was cramming through the first 2/3, trying not to lose momentum. But I loved it. John Adams is such a sensible New Englander, humble regardless of his great accomplishments, and taking enjoyment from simple pleasures, such as his farm, his wife, his family, and the weather. I liked how the story of Jefferson, while shown in not quite as rosy a light, paralleled the story of Adams. It highlighted the differences in their morals, social standing, and thoughts on governance. The two men, longtime political rivals, nevertheless made peace in their later years. I also loved the ending (which was unbeknownst to me), that Adams and Jefferson clung to life and died on the same day, July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
one of the finest biographies of the past 15 years.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Despite how long it took me to read, this really was a great book. This was a very, VERY thorough and comprehensive the life of John Adams. The writing was amazing. Sometimes historical biographies can come off as dry, but this felt more like an epic story (which it is).
Informative and enlightening (especially now), this is a great pick for history buffs and those mildly interested. However, due the heftiness, I wouldn't say this is for the faint of heart. But only because it wasn't the funnest (re: easiest) to lug around and whip out at a moments notice.
Informative and enlightening (especially now), this is a great pick for history buffs and those mildly interested. However, due the heftiness, I wouldn't say this is for the faint of heart. But only because it wasn't the funnest (re: easiest) to lug around and whip out at a moments notice.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I can’t say that Adams is now my favorite President, but this is one of the best bios I’ve read. Adams made it a little easier by being a prolific letter and journal writer. It is much easier to create a good story line and get into your subject’s head when he regularly spills his soul on paper. The contrast with Jefferson was an interesting one, as was the idea that two so decidedly different people could carry on such a long, and complicated, friendship.
A remarkable story of a singular time in history - Adams and his family and friends come vibrantly to life in this wonderful biography. It is long, but it is glorious. I loved it.