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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
medium-paced
I have never been that interested in John Adams, but this book had me enthralled. It puts the war and the formation of the US in such an incredible context. Plus, the writing is such that you never feel you are reading a stuffy biography. Instead, it comes off like prose and you end up enveloped in the story. Wonderful!
A few years later, I finished! And then immediately began rereading my favorite parts again...
John Adams was somewhat vain.
There. I thought I'd get all the negative stuff out of the way before I heap praise onto the man. I'm sure if you scrape and search you could find more fault in him, but I'd wager his vanity was really no more than any other founding father of the age.
Before I discuss John further, I must first say Abigail Adams was one of the most impressive ladies of the time and the pair of them made a formidable duo. Many often said that she was the true power during his days as president, and it wasn't wholly untrue. Possibly the best match of the age, John and Abigail Adams kept their love alive despite great distance through a correspondence so entertaining it has been the subject of several books in itself. John's love for his wife was ever-present and admirable. She was the fire in his heart, the wind in his sails, the sparkle in his eye, and the other half of his soul.
I find it funny how biographers take on the opinions of their subjects. While the Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton biographies describe Adams as obnoxious, the Adams biography paints Franklin as lazy and Hamilton as downright Machiavellian. John Adams alone may have been aware of all of his defects though. One passage I loved stated that during his entire time in the Continental Congress, only one single congressman ever described Adams as an annoyance, and that was John Adams himself. Lately characterized as vain and obnoxious, the John Adams I found in David McCullough's book was only gently so. Shining far brighter was his unfailing honesty, his willingness to befriend so many (and maintain those friendships), his joyous spirit in good times, and his sanguinity in hard times.
While he lacked Franklin's wit, Washington's grace, Hamilton's brilliance, and Jefferson's style, I walk away from this book with a far better taste left in my mouth. The simple five step recipe to replicate John Adams is one cup of industrious spirit, one cup of intellect, three cups of integrity, two tablespoons of alacrity, and a teaspoon of good cheer. (And if not served alongside Abigail Adams then best not prepare the dish at all.)
This review is part three of a four part series as I read the biographies of Benjy Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, and TJ. I hope to thread similar themes across all four reviews, but with this review I was unable to discuss the dark stain of slavery. There was nothing to say. John Adams believed and professed what the rest of them should have. Of the four, I fear I now leave the best of them to proceed onto the worst.
There. I thought I'd get all the negative stuff out of the way before I heap praise onto the man. I'm sure if you scrape and search you could find more fault in him, but I'd wager his vanity was really no more than any other founding father of the age.
Before I discuss John further, I must first say Abigail Adams was one of the most impressive ladies of the time and the pair of them made a formidable duo. Many often said that she was the true power during his days as president, and it wasn't wholly untrue. Possibly the best match of the age, John and Abigail Adams kept their love alive despite great distance through a correspondence so entertaining it has been the subject of several books in itself. John's love for his wife was ever-present and admirable. She was the fire in his heart, the wind in his sails, the sparkle in his eye, and the other half of his soul.
I find it funny how biographers take on the opinions of their subjects. While the Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton biographies describe Adams as obnoxious, the Adams biography paints Franklin as lazy and Hamilton as downright Machiavellian. John Adams alone may have been aware of all of his defects though. One passage I loved stated that during his entire time in the Continental Congress, only one single congressman ever described Adams as an annoyance, and that was John Adams himself. Lately characterized as vain and obnoxious, the John Adams I found in David McCullough's book was only gently so. Shining far brighter was his unfailing honesty, his willingness to befriend so many (and maintain those friendships), his joyous spirit in good times, and his sanguinity in hard times.
While he lacked Franklin's wit, Washington's grace, Hamilton's brilliance, and Jefferson's style, I walk away from this book with a far better taste left in my mouth. The simple five step recipe to replicate John Adams is one cup of industrious spirit, one cup of intellect, three cups of integrity, two tablespoons of alacrity, and a teaspoon of good cheer. (And if not served alongside Abigail Adams then best not prepare the dish at all.)
This review is part three of a four part series as I read the biographies of Benjy Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, and TJ. I hope to thread similar themes across all four reviews, but with this review I was unable to discuss the dark stain of slavery. There was nothing to say. John Adams believed and professed what the rest of them should have. Of the four, I fear I now leave the best of them to proceed onto the worst.
David McCullough is always a great author to read from. This was definitely an all encompassing recount of John Adams' life and it was so enjoyable to read! You also will get lots of information on Thomas Jefferson as well as some of the other Founding Fathers.
Very good. Definitely recommend.
Very good. Definitely recommend.
A little dense, took me FOREVER to read, probably a reflection on me more than book/author.
Absolutely one of the most stunning and important books I have read in a very long time and I know that it is a book that I will return to in my times of need and disapair. I feel that I have both gained and lost a friend by finishing John Adams and it has truly given me a profound, new, and exhilarating perspective on my life. Thank you Mr McCullough for taking the time to writ such a work. It has truly affected me. What an astounding, tremendous piece of American writing. Truly honored to have read it.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Very interesting. However it is long. It could have been shortened in areas. But overall, this is an excellent bio.