John Adams- The Writer: A Treasury of Letters, Diaries, and Public Documents [Hardcover]

Carolyn P. Yoder (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2007

John Adams served the United States as the first vice president and the second president. As a Massachusetts delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses, his ideas on American liberty led the way to independence. Adams found that the best way to explore his ideas was to put pen to paper. In this rich and revealing collection, illustrated with photographs, prints, paintings, and artifacts, Carolyn Yoder has selected writings that chart the life and ideas of John Adams, from his years as a schoolteacher and lawyer to diplomat and president and to the period of his long retirement, one highlight of which was his correspondence with Thomas Jefferson. We see Adams the "Colossus of Independence," as Jefferson called him, and Adams the diplomat, maneuvering his way through France, the Netherlands, and Great Britain. We also find Adams the man, devoted husband of Abigail, and father of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States. Entries from diaries and journals, along with excerpts from letters, pamphlets, and speeches, form an intimate portrait of one the most complex personalities among the founding fathers, a man driven by ambition and plagued by self-doubt.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Using the same concept and format as George Washington, The Writer (2003) and Abraham Lincoln, The Writer (2000), this book presents excerpts from John Adams' voluminous personal and official correspondence as well as his diaries, speeches, and autobiography. Yoder's clearly written commentary introduces each selection and places it within the broader framework of Adams' life and career. For many students, the book offers the ideal combination of reading Adams' words to form an impression of the man and having a guide that fits individual passages into context and provides interpretation where necessary. The black-and-white illustrations include reproductions of period paintings, prints, and documents as well as a few photos of sites and artifacts. The book concludes with a detailed time line of Adams' life and lists of books, articles, and places to visit. A solid addition to history collections --Booklist

About the Author

As editor in chief of Cobblestone: The History Magazine for Young People; Calliope; Faces; and Odyssey from 1984 to 1994, Carolyn led all four magazines to receive numerous awards. Among the honors was the 1991 Educational Press Association of American Golden Lamp Honor Award won by Cobblestone.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Pr; 1st Printing edition (October 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159078247X
• ISBN-13: 978-1590782477
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,736,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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