The Book of Abigail & John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family 1762-1784 (Paperback)

~ Abigail Smith Adams (Author), John Adams (Author), L.H. Butterfield (Editor), Marc Friedlaender (Editor), Mary-Jo Kline (Introduction), David McCullough (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

John and Abigail, Abigail and John - their names are as inseparably linked as those of any pair in history. The story of these lovers, domestic partners, and patriots comes to life in this collection of their intimate correspondence. The lives of this remarkable couple unfold alongside events of the Revolutionary War era, a time in which John left his family for prolonged periods to serve his colony and country. Their engaging exchanges follow John's career from provincial lawyer and farmer in Braintree, Massachusetts, to delegate to the Continental Congresses in Philadelphia, to diplomatic success in Europe. John reveals himself as an ambitious, determined, and self-doubting statesman with a trusting, deeply affectionate character and an earthy sense of humor. Abigail's lively and captivating letters show the trials of an intelligent, strong, and resourceful woman who managed the family's farm and business affairs and reared the pair's four children during her husband's long absences. Her missives to John are filled with outspoken remarks on politics, public figures, and world-shaking events. An independent thinker and advocate of equal rights for women, she urged him in one spirited letter to "Remember the Ladies" in framing the new government. Abigail also vividly documents domestic life in eighteenth-century America, providing enlightening details on health problems, childbirth, education, women's activities, the difficulties of travel, and the impact of wartime inflation. The 226 letters contained in this volume are supplemented with a few to third parties and a sampling of diary entries. Altogether, the words and thoughts of these warm, if occasionally fallible, human beings richly convey the experience of the Revolutionary generation in a most personal and authentic way.

About the Author

L. H. BUTTERFIELD and MARC FRIEDLAENDER, as editor in chief and editor, respectively, were long identified with the publication of The Adams Papers at the Massachusetts Historical Society. MARY-JO KLINE was Associate Editor of The Adams Papers. DAVID MCCULLOUGH is the author of the best-selling John Adams and the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, Truman.

Product Details

• Paperback: 411 pages
• Publisher: Northeastern University Press (September 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555535224
• ISBN-13: 978-1555535223
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #771,331 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good History Book, April 15, 2001

By A Customer

This was a very interesting book showing the way a women saw the start of a new country. It also shows the sacrifice that both John and Abigail both had to make to still be together while John was helping the colonies. John tells Abigail all of the political happenings that have been going on not including deaths etc... Abigail is very much into politics and reminds John to "remember the ladies" when writing the Declaration of Independence. This is an excellent book for anyone who wants to learn more about the war at a different perspective than what just the history books say.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The First Harvard Collection of Adams Letters--1975, January 25, 2008

By	Ronald H. Clark (WASHINGTON, DC USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (VINE VOICE)

This collection is the first assemblage of the letters between John and Abigail Adams published by Harvard University Press. Subsequently, in 2007, an expanded collection was published by Harvard, under the editorship of different scholars, with the title of "My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams" (which I also reviewed on Amazon). While the newer version has more letters (289 v. 226), and covers the period of John's Vice Presidency and Presidency, this earlier edition continues to have value. It includes more editorial material, some correspondence with third parties, and a larger number of illustrations--though not the beautiful color plates found in the newer volume. As I mentioned in my other review, the star of the letters clearly is Abigail, who carried on alone under the most challenging of circumstances while John was absent. She manifests both a literate perspective, as well as a sharp eye for political issues. John's letters afford an invaluable insight into a most critical period of American history; especially perceptive are his assessments of some of the leading political figures of the day. Either volume is well worthy of consideration and study--perusing both is doubly helpful.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved the book!!!, June 16, 2008

By	Melanie C. Burnell "history nut" (Mich.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

It's very good reading, the letters are really good. I just finsh reading John Adams that's a really good book too. And I just brought John Adams DVD it was on HBO early this spring!!! I'm trying find more books on John and Abigail books and other time period books in the 1700 and other history books. I just can't find any but I keep trying. I know they are there I just have I to looked!!!