John Adams by David McCullough Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of John Adams
Book Review: "For All Posterity"
Summary: 5 Stars
John Adams quote from page 23:
"We have not men fit for the Times. We are deficient in genius, education, in travel, fortune, in everything..."
That seems to be " The single most important 'All Category Under-estimation of Three Centuries'." We had all of those things and a lot more, but best of all, in our emerging leaders, we had the brightest minds and ideas all gathered together at the right time, in the same place; along with the courage to 'act' - which was perhaps the most important ingredient in the mix - when you consider that they were about to commit treason against Great Britain and the consequences for THAT gave even Ben Franklin pause for a moment as he picked up his pen: " we must now hang together or assuredly we shall all hang separately".
David McCullough is a "splendid Historian" masquerading as an "Incredibly Talented Story Teller". If you enjoy both kinds of literature, but rarely found the "latter" in the "former", you have a rare treat in store. My review of his "1776" is more wordy; this second review of Mr. McCullough's work needs nothing more than two: "Read It". He takes us through the Revolution in a distinctly separate route than is taken in the book "1776" - which was one of the best I have ever read - and is a companion novel to that writing. For those with a passion for American History, either long-standing or rediscovered, it is highly recommended.
Abigail Adams urged her husband "not to forget the Ladies" as he embarked on his new position with the Congress. And here is how he did not "forget them": when discussing Mercy Otis Warren's writings of the revolution to Elbridge Gerry, he remarked: " History is not the Province of the Ladies..Little Passions and Prejudices, want of Information, false information, want of experience, erroneous judgment, and frequent Partiality, are among her history's faults." (John Adams, pg 159 in "Mercy Otis Warren, a Woman's Dilemma") All of which are specific to gender, without doubt! This commentary was brought about by Mercy's less than grand accounting therin of John Adams' particular brand of politics, of which views they failed to agree upon entirely.
What makes this quote the more astonishing is that it was hardly expected, coming from John Adams. It's surprising how much more detail one picks up about the favorite forefathers as one reads different sets material attributed to them, and while it does not detract from their historical importance or their vast contributions to the cause of a new nation rising, it does tend to diminish their star as the human frailties emerge. It's unfortunate that such an important man saw fit to issue such a petty statement and in such a prejudiced way.
Take home message: drawing conclusions from reading just a few historians and versions (including our school history books, and even this particular book of John Adams) regarding the immortal history of America does not make the whole, and I find myself adjusting my initial conceptions as I refresh through these new historians, sorting out and internalizing. Each accounting adds (or expands) something vital that wasn't fully exposed before.
For other excellent reading of American History before and during the Revolution - these books will open up your mind and refresh our heritage as through a freshly washed window:
** "Miracle at Philadelphia" by Catherine Drinker Bowen
** "Three men of Boston" by John R. Galvin
** "Jefferson" by Thomas Jefferson (Library of America)
** "Paul Revere's Ride" by David Hackett Fischer
** "American Colonies" by Alan Taylor
** "The First American" (Franklin) by H.W. Brands (Library of America)
** "1776" by David McCullough
** "Orators of the American Revolution" by Elias Lyman Magoon
** "The Adams-Jefferson Letters" (complete correspondence) edited by Lester J. Cappon
Book Review: "I am nothing, but I may be everything."
Summary: 5 Stars
John Adams is not the sexiest of America's ex-presidents and lives on largely in the shadows of the more famous and flashier founding fathers such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. David McCullough's biography, JOHN ADAMS, in part confirms this image of the second president: he was intensely private, reverent, and loyal. However, the positive qualities of the man come shining through as well in this work: his personal integrity, fidelity, and love of country. One comes away from reading JOHN ADAMS with the feeling that history has not given this man his due.
Nowhere does John Adams come off in a more positive light than when he is contrasted to his great friend and nemesis, Thomas Jefferson. Clearly, McCullough is a partisan of Adams, but one reading this book cannot help but feel the same. John Adams is the thrifty self-made man, Jefferson, the spendthrift playboy. Adams is the only founding father strongly against slavery on moral grounds, and yet history only remembers him for the Alien and Sedition Acts.
But, the man alone does not make the biography. What makes JOHN ADAMS a great biography and a recommended read is McCullough's narrative style which brings life to the man and brings the reader fully into the world of the revolutionary and early nationhood period of American history.
Jeremy W. Forstadt
Book Review: "Took a piece of history and weaved a literary masterpiece"
Summary: 5 Stars
I was quite impressed by the book. David McCollough took a piece of history and weaved a literary masterpiece. While reading the whole book, I was feeling the emotion of John Adams and the world around him. I can now somehow relate to the Fore fathers of our nation. Great Book!Book Review: A "good book" but "distracting" in use of quotations as a storytelling "device"
Summary: 2 Stars
I found the excessive use of quotations so tedious and irritating that I had to put it down after reading the first hundred pages or so. It reminded me of a high school book report where all of the interspersed quotations are intended to show the teacher that the student really read the book and did the research to support their thesis.
McCullough obviously did do a lot of research in writing this book and my guess is that he intended to use the characters' own words as a way to bring them and the time that they lived to life for modern readers. Unfortunately, he overdid it and all but destroyed the narrative in the process.
Book Review: A Book for Your Personal Library
Summary: 5 Stars
Not only does the book give an indepth view of John Adams' family life and ambitions, but also pulls you into the standard way of living in the 1800's. The interaction between Adams and his political friends/foes (Jefferson, Washington, & Franklin) was enlightening; I felt I understood these people, their views and insights.An excellent book and a 'MUST' read.