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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
informative
slow-paced
Book 17 of 2022: John Adams by David McCullough
Such a fabulous read! Honestly, one of the best biographies I’ve ever read. I feel like I know and better understand Adams now through McCullough’s book.
In this moving biography, David McCullough unfolds the adventurous life of John Adams, the brilliant, fiercely independent, often impossible, always honest patriot who spared nothing in his support for the American Revolution. The man who became the second president of the United States and saved the country from an unnecessary war; who was intelligent beyond all but a few and regarded by some as “out of his senses.” His marriage to the wise and devoted Abigail Adams is one of the greatest and most moving love stories in American history.
This is a book about politics, war, social issues, human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship, betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas. Above all, John Adams is an enthralling, often surprising story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived.
“There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.” Adams knew and supported that no government should allow any one person too much power. Checks and balances must be in place for the democracy to run at its best for all.
“The happiness of the people was the purpose of government, he wrote, and therefore that form of government was best which produced the greatest amount of happiness for the largest number. And since all “sober inquirers after truth” agreed that happiness derived from virtue, that form of government with virtue as its foundation was more likely than any other to promote the general happiness.” A democracy achieves these standards.
I can’t recommend this biography enough. McCullough will fascinate you with his engaging prose and make you lament never getting to meet this great American, President John Adams.
Such a fabulous read! Honestly, one of the best biographies I’ve ever read. I feel like I know and better understand Adams now through McCullough’s book.
In this moving biography, David McCullough unfolds the adventurous life of John Adams, the brilliant, fiercely independent, often impossible, always honest patriot who spared nothing in his support for the American Revolution. The man who became the second president of the United States and saved the country from an unnecessary war; who was intelligent beyond all but a few and regarded by some as “out of his senses.” His marriage to the wise and devoted Abigail Adams is one of the greatest and most moving love stories in American history.
This is a book about politics, war, social issues, human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship, betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas. Above all, John Adams is an enthralling, often surprising story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived.
“There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.” Adams knew and supported that no government should allow any one person too much power. Checks and balances must be in place for the democracy to run at its best for all.
“The happiness of the people was the purpose of government, he wrote, and therefore that form of government was best which produced the greatest amount of happiness for the largest number. And since all “sober inquirers after truth” agreed that happiness derived from virtue, that form of government with virtue as its foundation was more likely than any other to promote the general happiness.” A democracy achieves these standards.
I can’t recommend this biography enough. McCullough will fascinate you with his engaging prose and make you lament never getting to meet this great American, President John Adams.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It deserved that Pulitzer. (Listened on audiobook, which was read by the author.) I'm so glad I "read" this book and have learned so much about this very worthy man.
I'm a fan of American History, and have read biographies of many the founding fathers. John Adams was one of the most vocal of the founders. It could be argued that he, above all talked people into voting for independence, and helping them gain the necessary funds (from countries who weren't convinced the US would necessarily win) in many cases.
He could also be viewed as a sort of interregnum between Washington (the first President), and Thomas Jefferson (the third), for he is best remembered now as the President who avoided war with France, and allowing some dubious laws passed that curtailed free speech.
David McCullough's book is a really interesting read. It covers the rise of a middle class New Englander's from well to do farming stock to the Presidency, while thoroughly examining his private life too. If you want to read a book about a founding father who might not always be the most likeable individual, but who was probably amongst the most normal (and learn some history at the same time), this book is for you.
He could also be viewed as a sort of interregnum between Washington (the first President), and Thomas Jefferson (the third), for he is best remembered now as the President who avoided war with France, and allowing some dubious laws passed that curtailed free speech.
David McCullough's book is a really interesting read. It covers the rise of a middle class New Englander's from well to do farming stock to the Presidency, while thoroughly examining his private life too. If you want to read a book about a founding father who might not always be the most likeable individual, but who was probably amongst the most normal (and learn some history at the same time), this book is for you.
David McCullough book about America's second president, John Adams. It wasn't a bad book. In fact I found the whole bit about the history surrounding 1776 very interesting but I found one thing confusing.
Adams comes across a competent organizer and the sort of person who would make a good Vice-President (he'll get things sorted). But I don't really understand how he became President. He was short and round. He was a knowledgeable speaker but wasn't someone who could "sway the room." He didn't have war experience and seemed to be perceived as the person who kept things things ticking alone in Philadelphia.
So how did he become President? He seemed to be the recipient of an "Anyone but Jefferson" campaign. I'm not sure if I find this depressing or not. I mean 8 years after America is formed, politics is involved so blah.
Adams comes across a competent organizer and the sort of person who would make a good Vice-President (he'll get things sorted). But I don't really understand how he became President. He was short and round. He was a knowledgeable speaker but wasn't someone who could "sway the room." He didn't have war experience and seemed to be perceived as the person who kept things things ticking alone in Philadelphia.
So how did he become President? He seemed to be the recipient of an "Anyone but Jefferson" campaign. I'm not sure if I find this depressing or not. I mean 8 years after America is formed, politics is involved so blah.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This was a very entertaining biography. I enjoyed the writing style and, since I listened to the audiobook version, it was very easy to follow while listening.
If you love the Revolutionary Era like I do, read this book. It's an appropriate testament to the epic life of a titan of American history, a gripping narrative that encompasses so many other legendary characters, and just an all-around awesome tome.
So many incredible people gathered in 1776 and the decisive decades that followed in order to produce this country: Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Hamilton--and Abigail, whom I have to count in this list as one of the most lovable characters in American history. She's so awesome and good and just tells it like it is. And her husband totally knew what a catch he'd found.
I think what makes Adams himself so relatable is that he left so much of his mind out in the open to posterity through his letters. He also, as McCullough sometimes implies, just seems so much more honest than Jefferson, and so much less mysterious than Washington. His intentions were always good, whereas Jefferson comes off as sly and two-faced at many moments. He's a great character: Flecked with conspicuous flaws, gifted, ambitious, and genuine, John Adams would totally've been my BFF, and Abigail too. (He was also a skillful writer, one of the best of the founding generation, and for that, too, I would more than allow him to be friends with me.)
Another reason why I love this era of American history, and why it seems so epic, is that to us, the Revolution seemed inevitable, "Common Sense," and the assured duration of the country even more so--yet to the founders, the Revolution and the United States were anything but. I think Joseph J. Ellis in Founding Brothers, which I read almost three years ago to the day for APUSH and absolutely loved, articulates the evitable-ness of the era most beautifully. (That book is so awesome, btw. These two complement each other really well.)
Speaking of beautiful writing, David McCullough is the bomb. I was totally hooked on this book and on every turn and twist in Adams's path. (Not gonna lie, I cried when Abigail died.) Though Adams's life and personality just lends itself to a fascinating biography, and though one would think the job shouldn't be too hard with all the evidence to posterity that he left during his life, McCullough could not have done a more elegant job.
So many incredible people gathered in 1776 and the decisive decades that followed in order to produce this country: Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Hamilton--and Abigail, whom I have to count in this list as one of the most lovable characters in American history. She's so awesome and good and just tells it like it is. And her husband totally knew what a catch he'd found.
I think what makes Adams himself so relatable is that he left so much of his mind out in the open to posterity through his letters. He also, as McCullough sometimes implies, just seems so much more honest than Jefferson, and so much less mysterious than Washington. His intentions were always good, whereas Jefferson comes off as sly and two-faced at many moments. He's a great character: Flecked with conspicuous flaws, gifted, ambitious, and genuine, John Adams would totally've been my BFF, and Abigail too. (He was also a skillful writer, one of the best of the founding generation, and for that, too, I would more than allow him to be friends with me.)
Another reason why I love this era of American history, and why it seems so epic, is that to us, the Revolution seemed inevitable, "Common Sense," and the assured duration of the country even more so--yet to the founders, the Revolution and the United States were anything but. I think Joseph J. Ellis in Founding Brothers, which I read almost three years ago to the day for APUSH and absolutely loved, articulates the evitable-ness of the era most beautifully. (That book is so awesome, btw. These two complement each other really well.)
Speaking of beautiful writing, David McCullough is the bomb. I was totally hooked on this book and on every turn and twist in Adams's path. (Not gonna lie, I cried when Abigail died.) Though Adams's life and personality just lends itself to a fascinating biography, and though one would think the job shouldn't be too hard with all the evidence to posterity that he left during his life, McCullough could not have done a more elegant job.