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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
Written in a style between history book and literature. It made me crave to read it more as a story than a history book. Took a long time to read, a little dry, but I don't regret reading it.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
If Alexander Hamilton says even ONE more shitty thing about John Adams he can come right over and say it to my FACE.
As you would expect from David McCullough, a well researched and intriguing book about a fascinating character and time. I probably would have enjoyed this even more if I hadn't just read a Washington biography- if I'm going to keep reading through the presidencies, I'm going to need to spread them out a little more, I suppose.
I "liked" Adams more than I expected to after reading the Washington biography. Part of that may be McCullough's obvious respect influencing the reader. I find myself curious if McCullough's coverage of the passage of the Alien and Sedition Act was complete. To me this was the low point of Adams' career, and when I finished the book I found myself wondering if McCullough had skipped over that a bit in order to present a more positive picture, or if I had simply forgotten the chapters covering that.
One final "spoiler-ish" note- I was astounded to learn that Adams and Jefferson both died on the 4th of July in 1826- how is that not a basic fact that all Americans know?
I "liked" Adams more than I expected to after reading the Washington biography. Part of that may be McCullough's obvious respect influencing the reader. I find myself curious if McCullough's coverage of the passage of the Alien and Sedition Act was complete. To me this was the low point of Adams' career, and when I finished the book I found myself wondering if McCullough had skipped over that a bit in order to present a more positive picture, or if I had simply forgotten the chapters covering that.
One final "spoiler-ish" note- I was astounded to learn that Adams and Jefferson both died on the 4th of July in 1826- how is that not a basic fact that all Americans know?
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
McCullough presents a well documented, lyrical, and balanced review of John Adams. As he relates in the introduction, his research was originally intended for a book on both Jefferson and Adams, but after working his way through the materials he found Adams more commanding and also more neglected in the historical discourse. With that said, this book provides a more than ample guide to the intrigues and events of the 18th and early 19th century in American political history. Adams is an exception for his time in his continued Christianity (vs Jefferson's more Enlightened theism), dislike for slavery (vs Jefferson's expansive slave ownership), and political complexity. One gets a good sense of the "New England" patriot, farmer, and scholar in these pages, and the result is most rewarding. McCullough is particularly to be noted for his willingness to criticize Adams where appropriate and the sensitive details he provides of Abigail Adams, his brilliant and talented wife - presidential material herself (in another age). I highly recommend this book!
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
medium-paced