John Adams

[daylily]

Has anyone read David McCullough's biography of John Adams? It was a best seller a couple of years ago, but I just got around to reading it recently and I *highly* recommend it. I'm not finished yet, but I can hardly put it down and I've learned a lot I didn't know about early American history.

I seem to recall reading in the past that John Adams was a difficult and unlikeable person, but this biography is a very sympathetic portrayal and I now have a deep admiration for Adams. And, of course, Abigail Adams is featured prominently. She was an amazing woman.

Any comments?

[The Lucky One]

I haven't read it, but I'd like to.

I've been told that I am a direct descendent of President Adams.

lisa

[RowansDad]

Great book, especially the Abigail and Adams correspondences.

John Adams is a giant amoung the Founders. Great lawyer who was on of the defense counsel who represented the British soldiers involved with the 'Boston Massacre'. Wrote the Massachusetts' Constitution, was the leading American diplomat during the Revolutionary War and lead negotiator during the peace negotiations and Treaty of Paris with Britain that officially ended hostillities, first VP of the US, had the unenviable postion of following Gen. George Washington as president, true father of the US Navy, preserving the new country's neutrality during never ending British-French spats, prolific writer and farmer.

Oh heck, here's a cool rundown:
http://www.americanpresident.org/history/johnadams/

And if you liked McCullough's book, you will enjoy Joseph Ellis' "Founding Brothers": http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...299256-1690560

[RowansDad]

Originally posted by The Lucky One
I've been told that I am a direct descendent of President Adams.

You should visit: http://www.nps.gov/adam/

[Viola]

Re: John Adams

Originally posted by daylily
I seem to recall reading in the past that John Adams was a difficult and unlikeable person, but this biography is a very sympathetic portrayal and I now have a deep admiration for Adams.

He was obnoxious and disliked, you know that, sir.

I haven't read it, but my MIL did. Sounds interesting.

[daylily]

Thanks for the links, Rowan's Dad. I'm almost finished with John Adams and now I would like to read more about American history. Although I suppose I learned it in school, I'd forgotton how close we came to going to war with France in the 1790's.

And David McCullough is a superb writer. His book about the Johnstown Flood was fascinating. I highly recommend that as well.

He was obnoxious and disliked, you know that, sir.

LOL Amywillo. I can imagine someone from Charlottesville saying that. I live in Charlottesville, and here, Thomas Jefferson is worshipped as a god. The Adams book gives a different perspective on him. That story about how they both died on July 4th, 1826 always gives me the chills.

And Alexander Hamilton! I only remember learning about how wonderful he was, but maybe that's because I grew up in New York.

[daylily]

I finished it and the description of Adams' and Jefferson's deaths had me weeping even though I was already familiar with the story.