John Adams by David McCullough Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of John Adams
Book Review: A Great Read, but ...
Summary: 5 Stars
What a wonderful read! McCullough presents John Adams an authentic human being and at the same time attempts to let us know why he was so: his partnership with his wife, his love for his children, his authentically Christian background, his honesty, his perseverance in the face of nearly insurmountable opposition, his sense of humor, his compassion, etc. To some it may seem mean-spirited to find fault with this magnificent biography of one of the more important of the founding fathers of the United States of America. Still there is one incident McCullough misrepresents: I refer to the embassy sent to "Canada" (the mission was actually to Quebec, known to have little love for England) to secure support for the Revolution. Although he writes of the failure of this attempt, McCullough neglects to say why it had no success, and the answer is clear: Quebec feared that an American victory would involve the loss of its freedom to practice its Catholic religion!
Unfortunately it is not well known, and certainly not taught in most history courses, that freedom of religion was not practiced in the Thirteen Colonies; even after the revolution, religious freedom was by no means universal.
As far as this biography is concerned, this is certainly a minor point; but it is not something Americans should ever forget.
Book Review: A Life Well Lived
Summary: 4 Stars
The book's biggest strength is that it uses many quotations of John Adams, Abigail, John Quincy Adams, and Jefferson to tell its tale. These people were intelligent and very good writers. I enjoyed the biography. I enjoyed McCullough's writing style and the leisurely pace he sets for himself. The biography clearly portrays a man who lived long, did many great things, and died at peace with himself. The book glosses over Adams' weaknesses and I thought spent way too much time on what Jefferson and Adams thought of each other, but these are minor flaws. I enjoyed Morris's biography of Roosevelt more, but this book was a good summer read and was far better than McCullough's 1776. I learned how this nation owes a great debt to this great, but flawed man.Book Review: A Magnificent Patriot Who was Little Understood in our Time
Summary: 5 Stars
This book by McCullough brings to light the life of a man who the average American has little or no knowledge of, a man who was a great patriot when being a patriot meant risking one's life. He was a man considered a traitor by the English, yet a man who would defend English soldiers in a trial in Boston because it was the moral and right thing to do. He was a man who worked long and hard to help win America its freedom, a man who deeply loved his wife, who was his adviser in many things, who was the very capable manager of their farm near Boston during the Revolutionary turmoil. It is the story of a simple man who came to greatness by being himself, by being dedicated to freedom, by being true to his conscience and by standing his ground when it was life-threatening to do so. It should be an inspiration to all who want to be called American patriots.Book Review: A Masterpiece Of A Mastermind
Summary: 5 Stars
The opening sentence of two men on horseback riding through the snowy countryside alerted me to the adventure that was written ahead in the many pages to follow. The unfolding of the American Revolution didn't begin in the early 1770's and certainly continues to be tested as I write today. Our nation is a living document and must be nurtured by true statesmen, the likes of John Adams, Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, and a cast of thousand others. The role he played in the Declaration, followed by the Confederation and finally the Constitution was the hallmark in our nation's initial development. As our first vice-president, he had to create the office. As our second president, he had to modify the acts of our first president. Washington was the glue while Adams and others like him were the cog and gears that made it all work. Our early history comes alive and literally jumps off the pages. Many founders' names we are familiar with, but have no real idea as to what they contributed to our nation building. David Mc Cullough has penned another historical masterpiece that reads like a novel. What a delightful and informative read. It makes you appreciate the untiring efforts of so many early Americans, both significant in rank as well as literally the salt of the earth. Do yourself an immense favor and read this book cover to cover. And while you are at it, watch the HBO series on John Adams.Book Review: A Must Read
Summary: 5 Stars
McCullough does not disappoint. I couldn't put this book down. Especially touching was Adams' close relationship with his wife Abigail. McCullough draws you in and transports you there. He details the excitement of the times and the struggles of the men trying to form a new country. It's an amazing account that will leave you wanting more!