From School Library Journal
Gr 6-8-This biography emphasizes Adams's many years of public service during the Revolution and the early years of the Republic. Lukes begins with our second president's childhood and education and includes information about his marriage and family life, but her main focus is on his leadership and service to the fledgling United States. She chronicles his service and leadership positions in the Continental Congresses, diplomatic service in Europe during and after the American Revolution, and his vice presidency under George Washington. She also offers a realistic assessment of his one-term administration, one marked by controversy and partisan divisions both within and outside of his Federalist party. The author also covers his continued public service after he lost his bid for reelection and his post-presidential correspondence with his old enemy, Thomas Jefferson. Throughout, she includes numerous primary-source quotes from Adams's public documents as well as his private letters and diaries. While she is largely admiring of her subject's dedicated service, often at a personal cost to himself and his family, she points out that his forbidding public persona frequently worked against him, especially when he was in elective office. The full-page portraits and period art add little to the text.-Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
