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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
I loved John Adams' personality from the musical 1776, and it turned out to be a fairly good portrayal of his personality except that he wasn't as unpopular as the movie made him feel. Also the details captured in the musical aren't that accurate in some respects, though many word-for-word quotations from the delegates were right though perhaps not in the same context.
I was disappointed to find out facts about Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin that made them lose some esteem in my opinion. However, John Adams didn't let me down. He was perhaps a bit pompous in some situations, but his integrity was beyond fault and he wanted very much to be good. I also loved learning about Abigail Adams. Their love for each other withstood YEARS of separation and lots of hardship financially and emotionally. But she supported him and they both respected each other. How could they not?! She was very politically savvy and they both loved their country, their family, and God. It was really a model marriage in many respects and they were both individual models that really can withstand the test of time. Both John and Abigail are definitely worthy personal heroes.
I was disappointed to find out facts about Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin that made them lose some esteem in my opinion. However, John Adams didn't let me down. He was perhaps a bit pompous in some situations, but his integrity was beyond fault and he wanted very much to be good. I also loved learning about Abigail Adams. Their love for each other withstood YEARS of separation and lots of hardship financially and emotionally. But she supported him and they both respected each other. How could they not?! She was very politically savvy and they both loved their country, their family, and God. It was really a model marriage in many respects and they were both individual models that really can withstand the test of time. Both John and Abigail are definitely worthy personal heroes.
This book was a long endeavor, but one I am very grateful I undertook. I walked away with a feeling of shame that a self-professed lover of American history knew so little about a man that contributed so much to our nation. I also walked away with a deeply, profound respect for John Adams both as a man of history but also just as a human being. This book also reinforced to me that nothing has changed in 241 years of American politics. Seriously. Nothing.
Part of Presidential Biography Project. This was an extremely popular biography when it was published and of course was the basis of the HBO show of the same. I found the story of Adams very similar to Washington's in that Adams lived an extraordinary life in extraordinary times. He was not just well educated or well read - he took that education and upbringing and applied to all of his life, his family, his work. The breadth of what he accomplished was incredible. And as much as this is his story, a lot of room and time is given over to Abigail, their children and Jefferson as well. The famous correspondence of Adams with these were put to great use in giving context to the events of history. Highly Recommended.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
At points the story dragged on but it’s a comprehensive review of John Adams. He accomplished a lot more than I knew he did.
A look into the life of one of the most important founding fathers of the United States who's contributions far exceed his recognition.
Some interesting facts:
* Congress voted to declare independence on July 2nd, 1776. Yet we celebrate on the 4th. The contents of the Declaration of Independence (document) was voted for on the 4th but the idea was voted for on the 2nd. The document wasn't signed by the majority of Congress until August 2, 1776.
* Adam's was opposed to and foresaw the consequences of party: "There is nothing I dread so much as a division of the Republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader and converting measures in opposition to each other."
* John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were good friends during the American Revolution then became bitter enemies during the early years of the United States as a free and independent country. They later reconnected much later in life after time wore down feelings of resentment.
* John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1826
Some interesting facts:
* Congress voted to declare independence on July 2nd, 1776. Yet we celebrate on the 4th. The contents of the Declaration of Independence (document) was voted for on the 4th but the idea was voted for on the 2nd. The document wasn't signed by the majority of Congress until August 2, 1776.
* Adam's was opposed to and foresaw the consequences of party: "There is nothing I dread so much as a division of the Republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader and converting measures in opposition to each other."
* John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were good friends during the American Revolution then became bitter enemies during the early years of the United States as a free and independent country. They later reconnected much later in life after time wore down feelings of resentment.
* John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1826
3 star with a but...
I didn't think it was particularly well written. I didn't care for the reliance on block quotes instead of a well constructed narrative. And it felt very repetitive. But I am glad I read it. The book had some great insight into the founding fathers. I do think people should read it but be warned it reads like a textbook.
I didn't think it was particularly well written. I didn't care for the reliance on block quotes instead of a well constructed narrative. And it felt very repetitive. But I am glad I read it. The book had some great insight into the founding fathers. I do think people should read it but be warned it reads like a textbook.
John Adams is the first biography I've read and at over 600 pages (not including Acknowledgements and Credits) it was a bit of an ambitious choice for jumping into the genre with.
But despite taking me quite awhile to finish, I really enjoyed this. For me, it's a really different reading experience than fiction because it wasn't the type of book I'd pick up when I wanted to escape life, but whenever I did pick it up I felt like I learned a little bit each time.
Quite honestly before picking up this book I didn't know a whole lot about John Adams. In fact, I didn't know much about any of the founding fathers and/or former Presidents.
But I picked this book up because our country (the US) is changing a lot right now and, without getting into a political discussion, it can be argued that we might be on the brink of war. I know, it's debatable. But there's no question that there's a lot of tension going on in America. So I picked this book up because I want to know more about our country's history and what people went through during other times when the country was greatly changing. So this is the first of, I hope, many more books that I'll read on US history. Because history has a way of repeating itself, right?
This book definitely opened my eyes to all the great things that John Adams did. Like I said above, I don't have any experience reading biographies so I don't have much to compare it to. But I think McCullough did a very thorough job at portraying the life of John Adams. At times it did feel like it was written probably a little bit biased towards liking Adams rather than not, but he did still threw in some opposing views of how people saw Adams. I can't speak to the accuracy since this is my first look into John Adams' life, but it felt well-researched to me.
While definitely thorough, it was certainly long! For the most part though everything included did help to form a larger picture of Adams and what kind of person he was. Despite his shortcomings -- mainly being a bit socially awkward and therefore pissing people off with the things he says -- I grew to have a real liking towards him. Overall he just seems like a really good person who was at time misunderstood by those who didn't understand his die-hard patriotic views.
Overall I enjoyed this and I'm glad I stepped out of my box to read it. When I'm feeling a little more ambitious (since all of his books are long) I'll definitely read more by McCullough, but for now I'll probably venture into reading biographies and books on the American revolution that are a little bit shorter from other authors. :)
But despite taking me quite awhile to finish, I really enjoyed this. For me, it's a really different reading experience than fiction because it wasn't the type of book I'd pick up when I wanted to escape life, but whenever I did pick it up I felt like I learned a little bit each time.
Quite honestly before picking up this book I didn't know a whole lot about John Adams. In fact, I didn't know much about any of the founding fathers and/or former Presidents.
But I picked this book up because our country (the US) is changing a lot right now and, without getting into a political discussion, it can be argued that we might be on the brink of war. I know, it's debatable. But there's no question that there's a lot of tension going on in America. So I picked this book up because I want to know more about our country's history and what people went through during other times when the country was greatly changing. So this is the first of, I hope, many more books that I'll read on US history. Because history has a way of repeating itself, right?
This book definitely opened my eyes to all the great things that John Adams did. Like I said above, I don't have any experience reading biographies so I don't have much to compare it to. But I think McCullough did a very thorough job at portraying the life of John Adams. At times it did feel like it was written probably a little bit biased towards liking Adams rather than not, but he did still threw in some opposing views of how people saw Adams. I can't speak to the accuracy since this is my first look into John Adams' life, but it felt well-researched to me.
While definitely thorough, it was certainly long! For the most part though everything included did help to form a larger picture of Adams and what kind of person he was. Despite his shortcomings -- mainly being a bit socially awkward and therefore pissing people off with the things he says -- I grew to have a real liking towards him. Overall he just seems like a really good person who was at time misunderstood by those who didn't understand his die-hard patriotic views.
Overall I enjoyed this and I'm glad I stepped out of my box to read it. When I'm feeling a little more ambitious (since all of his books are long) I'll definitely read more by McCullough, but for now I'll probably venture into reading biographies and books on the American revolution that are a little bit shorter from other authors. :)
My favorite founding father is almost invariably the one I'm currently reading about.
Anyway, this was really interesting. Main thing I liked is that it really kept the focus on John Adams (and Abigail Adams to an extent) and only strayed into the broader historical context when necessary to explain Adams' actions so it stayed a biography of Adams and not a chronicle of the Revolution and early years of the Republic.
I also really liked the focus on Abigail and John's letters to each other. With how much time John spent away from home in service to America it seemed that a lot of their relationship was conducted via written correspondence. And their love really came through. I was also somewhat amazed at the number of people that Adams exchanged letters with, not just friends but children of friends and random acquaintances. Honestly, quite strange from my 2020's perspective.
It was fascinating to read about Adams life, and his dedication to his nation through thick and thin was inspiring to read. Every now and then I need to sit and reflect on how blessed this country was to have the people she did there at the beginning.
Anyway, this was really interesting. Main thing I liked is that it really kept the focus on John Adams (and Abigail Adams to an extent) and only strayed into the broader historical context when necessary to explain Adams' actions so it stayed a biography of Adams and not a chronicle of the Revolution and early years of the Republic.
I also really liked the focus on Abigail and John's letters to each other. With how much time John spent away from home in service to America it seemed that a lot of their relationship was conducted via written correspondence. And their love really came through. I was also somewhat amazed at the number of people that Adams exchanged letters with, not just friends but children of friends and random acquaintances. Honestly, quite strange from my 2020's perspective.
It was fascinating to read about Adams life, and his dedication to his nation through thick and thin was inspiring to read. Every now and then I need to sit and reflect on how blessed this country was to have the people she did there at the beginning.
I liked John Adams. He seemed to be the most like myself compared with the other Presidents I have learned about.
I enjoyed learning about his loyalty and desire to mend relationships even with "enemies".
I am surprised to learn John Adams "missed" most of the Revolutionary War serving as an ambassador, as well as Thomas Jefferson.
The political turmoil we see every 4 years is not a new thing. Tensions and divisions seem to have been high as soon as Washington left office.
A great read. I liked Adams as a man. Interesting to see the first couple Presidents were not "politicians" in the sense we define the word now. Adams was not a maneuverer when compared to others around him such as Jefferson.
I look forward to continuing my Presidential biographies.
I enjoyed learning about his loyalty and desire to mend relationships even with "enemies".
I am surprised to learn John Adams "missed" most of the Revolutionary War serving as an ambassador, as well as Thomas Jefferson.
The political turmoil we see every 4 years is not a new thing. Tensions and divisions seem to have been high as soon as Washington left office.
A great read. I liked Adams as a man. Interesting to see the first couple Presidents were not "politicians" in the sense we define the word now. Adams was not a maneuverer when compared to others around him such as Jefferson.
I look forward to continuing my Presidential biographies.