John Adams by David McCullough Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of John Adams
Book Review: Adams, the forgotton patriot
Summary: 5 Stars
McCullough exposes the American Revolution like never before in this inside look at the life of John Adams. Adams had his faults, but, according to McCullough, was the real fire behind Jefferson's move toward independence. The relationship between Abigail, John and Thomas Jefferson, highlighted throughtout this book, was well done and is an excellent way to review the American Revolution. For as much as Adams is "black and white," according to historical materials reviewed by McCullough, Jefferson was more in the "grey" area. The American Revolution, however, could not have been successful without Adams, and, of course, Jefferson, but the true unknown story of Adams comes out in this book. Jefferson has received a lot of praise, as he should, but this book finally gives Adams his due. A good example of how Adams was a true patriot was one of his several trips to France to obtain financial assistance for the colonists' war effort. To start, a trip across the Atlantic in the 1700's was, without elaboration, a difficult journey. On this particular trip, the ship Adams and his sons, Thomas and Charles, were traveling in sprung a leak. At his command, Adams and his boys bailed the water in their trek across the Atlantic. As they neared their destination, the ship sprung another leak which proved to be too dificult to overcome, requiring the ship to land in Spain. Here, Adams was presented with two choices: go over the mountains of Spain to get to France or wait for the ship to be fixed and sail up to France (as a side note, the dignitaries of France disliked Adams, making the trek, I am sure, distasteful). Time wise, Adams determined that walking over the mountains of Spain with his two sons would be the quicker and more effective route to reach France in a timely fashion to further the war effort. This choice shows Adams' character and resolve when he put his mind on something. Jefferson would never have made this decsion nor would he have traveled across the Atlantic in the first place.
However, the story is that Adams and Jefferson were different which made the Revolution possible. Without either of them, it is hard to imagine that the the Revolution would have been successful. But, finally, in this book, Adams gets significant credit for his amazing efforts to bring independence to America.
This book is a great work and, read with Joseph Ellis' Founding Brothers, is an excellent way to enjoy the amazing work of our founding fathers.
Book Review: Amazing, even under pressure of school
Summary: 5 Stars
I read McCulloch's book as the topic for an high school English term paper after seeing it atop New York Times Bestseller lists for a while and all I can say is wow! What an amazing book, definitely one of my favorites. The truth is, and one will realize after reading this book, that the majority of Jefferson's accomplishments were built upon the foundation of Adams' presidency. Adams was obstinately stubborn and moralistic and even opposed his own cabinet in favor of the greater good of the country. McCulloch is an extremely gifted writer, and while the book is very long and at sometimes slow, if you are interested in our founding fathers, American history, or anything even remotely related to this period in time, you will love this book. I know I did, and I had deadlines to meet, something which often makes a book less enjoyable. Its no wonder McCulloch won the Pulitzer Prize for this masterpiece (As well as 1993's Truman).Book Review: Among the best I've ever read
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is one of the best of any kind I have ever read. It has received high praise, including a Pulitzer Prize, all of which is richly deserved. McCullough paints a vivid picture of Adams and his greatness while also showing his human weaknesses. The book draws heavily on Adams's written correspondence with his wife and with Jefferson, giving a wonderful insight into not just his political ideas, but his personal relationships. I also found the descriptions of life during the 1700s to be particularly compelling. It was a much different world than the one we live in today and McCullough artfully brings that world to life. I really can't say enough good things about this book.Book Review: An Absolute Gem
Summary: 5 Stars
Hats off to McCullough for writing a true page turner on John Adams of all people! If all history could be presented in such an enjoyable fashion more Americans (and students) might actually read it!
Simply one of the best novels I've ever read, period. Impeccably researched wonderful prose and an unmatched ability to bring John and Abigail Adams to life and make them relevant in the 21st century.
Much of the humanizing McCullough does here is derived from the tremendous volume of letter writing between John and Abigail which continued unabated throughout their long lives. Through these letters, Adams reveals and shares his innermost hopes and aspirations -- engendering instant recognition and empathy which resonates through the centuries to the modern reader.
While there seem to be thousands of texts extolling the virtues of Jefferson and Franklin, Adams (who arguably sacrificed the most personally and professionally in the establishment of our country) seems to be woefully under-represented and under-served in our historical and biographical texts.
Congratulations to you Mr. McCullough for not only writing the Adams text but doing so in such a finely crafted, humanized and accessible manner!!
Book Review: An Amazing Book
Summary: 5 Stars
When I saw how long this book was, I balked a little. I did not think it would hold my attention, but it did. Mr. Adam's story was so interesting, and the way the writer strung them together kept me wondering what would happen next (at least what I did not learn in history class). I hope that next he will write a book just about Abigail...she was better than any fictitious character!