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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
Great read to understand the history of the founding of the US. I didn't study much history in school but wish I had. Being able to read this at my own pace (slowly) and not for a class was very enjoyable and helps me understand the early characters and personalities that had so much to do with philosophical and political establishment of the USA. Highly recommended.
What a splendid book, made all the more compelling for its frequent echoes of contemporary affairs.
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
I did not know a lot about John Adams prior to this year. I mean, I knew he was a Founding Father, important to the Revolution and founding government, first VP and 2nd President, rival to Thomas Jefferson. I learned a good deal more through the books I read in class last semester/this year, but this was an excellent read into John Adams life that made me really appreciate the man/historical figure he was.
McCullough is a fantastically thorough researcher who turns a lot of information into very readable passages. You definitely get a very thorough sense of Adams' character and personality. He was a Federalist who refused to be a puppet of the party (or Alexander Hamilton), a firm believer in loyalty to his friends and sticking to his beliefs (even to the point of stubbornness), and a life-long farmer, lawyer, and intellectual who's first priority was consistently the people of America and protecting their rights. I also found myself agreeing with Adams (and the Federalists) politics a majority of the time, as opposed to Jefferson/Madison and the Democratic-Republicans.
First and foremost, Adams was the only one of the first 5 Presidents to not own slaves. He was staunchly against slavery his whole life, and thought it was an inhumane practice. He believed in strong central government, global peace by reaching treaties instead of starting wars (saving the country from war with Napoleon in the Quasi-War), and strengthened the judicial system. He also signed one of the worst series of laws in U.S. history in the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, but the details of the time give context for why he would sign them if not exculpation. He was a strong Christian who believed firmly in helping the poor to be educated, and was the unofficial Father of the U.S. Navy.
The only thing disappointing in this book was while it drew heavily on Adams' letters to paint a great picture of the man, the details of his Presidency felt a bit lacking compared to Washington (Chernow). Though to be fair, from how few pieces of legislature were passed during these early Presidencies, I think just not as much was done. And they certainly didn't have the day-to-day or even week-to-week tracking of governmental events that we have nowadays.
Overall, it was an excellent read, and as far as I can tell, Adams was the closest thing you would have to a modern Democrat among the first four Presidents. I loved his morals and world-views, and his more human failings that make him a bit more relatable than George Washington. A vastly underrated President, a great man, and a vital figure in U.S. history.
McCullough is a fantastically thorough researcher who turns a lot of information into very readable passages. You definitely get a very thorough sense of Adams' character and personality. He was a Federalist who refused to be a puppet of the party (or Alexander Hamilton), a firm believer in loyalty to his friends and sticking to his beliefs (even to the point of stubbornness), and a life-long farmer, lawyer, and intellectual who's first priority was consistently the people of America and protecting their rights. I also found myself agreeing with Adams (and the Federalists) politics a majority of the time, as opposed to Jefferson/Madison and the Democratic-Republicans.
First and foremost, Adams was the only one of the first 5 Presidents to not own slaves. He was staunchly against slavery his whole life, and thought it was an inhumane practice. He believed in strong central government, global peace by reaching treaties instead of starting wars (saving the country from war with Napoleon in the Quasi-War), and strengthened the judicial system. He also signed one of the worst series of laws in U.S. history in the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, but the details of the time give context for why he would sign them if not exculpation. He was a strong Christian who believed firmly in helping the poor to be educated, and was the unofficial Father of the U.S. Navy.
The only thing disappointing in this book was while it drew heavily on Adams' letters to paint a great picture of the man, the details of his Presidency felt a bit lacking compared to Washington (Chernow). Though to be fair, from how few pieces of legislature were passed during these early Presidencies, I think just not as much was done. And they certainly didn't have the day-to-day or even week-to-week tracking of governmental events that we have nowadays.
Overall, it was an excellent read, and as far as I can tell, Adams was the closest thing you would have to a modern Democrat among the first four Presidents. I loved his morals and world-views, and his more human failings that make him a bit more relatable than George Washington. A vastly underrated President, a great man, and a vital figure in U.S. history.
Fascinating biography of this man's life. Many myths we were taught about early American history dispelled in this very human story of the beginnings of our country.
One of the best biographies I have ever read. Learned so much about the Founding Fathers and have a great deal of respect for John Adams.
This is, hands down, the best biography I've ever read on a historical figure (and I've read bios of all 44 presidents). The author has taken the time to create a clear and engaging story, not a rote list of facts and impressions. The author also does not insert himself into the story, an increasingly common tactic that I never enjoy. So highly recommend this biography of our second president.
While it got long at times, it was still a fun read. It's hard to come away from this biography disliking John Adams. I did get the sense that some more problematic aspects of his life were glossed over or otherwise superficially explained away, but all in all, a worthy summation of the man's life and work.
One of the best biographies of a US President written by one of our best historians. His "to do list" is wonderful, including the founding of the US Navy! What did you finish on your "to do list" this week?
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced