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In this powerful, epic biography, David McCullough unfolds the adventurous life journey of John Adams, the brilliant, fiercely independent, often irascible, always honest Yankee patriot who spared nothing in his zeal for the American Revolution; who rose to become the second president of the United States and saved the country from blundering into an unnecessary war; who was learned beyond all but a few and regarded by some as "out of his senses"; and whose marriage to the wise and valiant Abigail Adams is one of the most moving love stories in American history.

This is history on a grand scale -- a book about politics and war and social issues, but also about human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship, and betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas. Above all, John Adams is an enthralling, often surprising story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived.

Print length

768 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Simon & Schuster
Publication date

January 29, 2008
Dimensions

6.5 x 1.25 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

141657588X
ISBN-13

978-1416575887
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There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.
Highlighted by 1,613 Kindle readers
The constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the oldest functioning written constitution in the world.
Highlighted by 1,536 Kindle readers
Jefferson was devoted to the ideal of improving mankind but had comparatively little interest in people in particular. Adams was not inclined to believe mankind improvable, but was certain it was important that human nature be understood.
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Editorial Reviews

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Gordon S. Wood The New York Review of Books By far the best biography of Adams ever written...McCullough's special gift as an artist is his ability to re-create past human beings in all their fullness and all their humanity. In John and Abigail he has found characters worthy of his talent.

Walter Isaacson Time A masterwork of storytelling.

Michiko Kakutani The New York Times Lucid and compelling...[Written] in a fluent narrative style that combines a novelist's sense of drama with a scholar's meticulous attention to the historical record.

Marie Arana The Washington Post McCullough is one of our most gifted living writers.

About the Author

David McCullough has twice received the Pulitzer Prize, for Truman and John Adams, and twice received the National Book Award, for The Path Between the Seas and Mornings on Horseback. His other acclaimed books include The Johnstown Flood, The Great Bridge, Brave Companions, 1776, The Greater Journey, and The Wright Brothers. He is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award. Visit DavidMcCullough.com.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster (January 29, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 768 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 141657588X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1416575887
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.25 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.5 x 1.25 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #958,944 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #717 in American Revolution Biographies (Books)
- #1,956 in US Presidents
- #1,998 in U.S. Revolution & Founding History

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David McCullough has twice received the Pulitzer Prize, for Truman and John Adams, and twice received the National Book Award, for The Path Between the Seas and Mornings on Horseback; His other widely praised books are 1776, Brave Companions, The Great Bridge, and The Johnstown Flood. He has been honored with the National Book Foundation Distinguished Contribution to American Letters Award, the National Humanities Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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thandyman

Highly recommend

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 17, 2023

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David McCullough was a genius. I will miss having him to write more novels. Incredible story teller. His research and ability to translate everything into a great story has always been a delight to read. This book is astonishing and mesmerizing as you get to know John Adams, but also his amazing confidant and wife. Their correspondence makes this life come to life through David’s typewriter. A MUST READ !!

2 people found this helpful

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D. Mikels

"Rejoice ever more!"

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 22, 2022

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John Adams. Husband and father. Patriot. Intense lawyer. Founding Father. Minister to France, Amsterdam, and Great Britain. First Vice President of the United States. Second President of the United States. Father of the sixth President of the United States, John Quincy Adams. Lifelong associate of fellow patriot Thomas Jefferson; although the two became bitter political rivals, they reconciled during their twilight years to become faithful correspondents. All of the above is presented in David McCullough's extraordinary, Pulitzer prize-winning biography JOHN ADAMS, an historical triumph that spawned an award-winning HBO miniseries adaptation , which this reviewer is currently massively enjoying.

To suggest that this biography rescued the one-term second president from political obscurity is sheer folly. In the 18th Century, patriot John Adams was already larger than life. He faced the mob and defended the British soldiers accused of murder in the bloody Boston Massacre, obtaining acquittals. Along with Jefferson, he helped launch the Declaration of Independence. Never to refuse service when his country called him for duty, he went overseas--leaving his Massachusetts home for years--to negotiate an alliance with France, then a peace treaty with England. He presided over the Senate as Vice President under George Washington, then became the obvious selection as the second commander-in-chief. As McCullough suggests, Adams's support for the Alien & Sedition Acts of 1798--appalling assaults on the Constitution's First Amendment--doomed him for any chance of reelection. Yet Adams's post-presidency of a quarter century, culminating in his death--along with the death of Thomas Jefferson--on July 4, 1826--the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence--cemented his standing as a national icon. Two Founding Fathers, passing away on the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration: To a celebrating nation, it seemed Divine inspiration.

In JOHN ADAMS, author McCullough lets his principals tell their stories, in their own words. John and Abigail Adams, their family, and inner circle of friends and acquaintances, were all prolific letter writers. Thousands upon thousands of letters were exchanged over the decades; McCullough reproduces many of them in the pages of his book. The authors of these letters--especially John and Abigail--did not hold back their emotions: They expressed exactly what they were feeling, and thinking. Particularly compelling is the correspondence between John and Abigail while they were separated, for years, by the Atlantic. The pain of separation and longing is palpable.

John Adams lived an extraordinarily long life: 90 years. Accordingly, he survived his beloved Abigail, along with three of his five children (daughter Susanna died in infancy; Charles, the second son, tragically died of chronic alcoholism at 30; and Nabby, the eldest, died of breast cancer in her late forties). Yet the second president remained undaunted. "Rejoice ever more!" became his mantra in his twilight years. In his post-presidency, Adams delighted in having a house full of family and friends; this Founding Father could regale a group with stories of the Revolution, or of a novel he had just finished. McCullough's presentation of Adams's post-presidency is, to this reviewer, the most enjoyable part of the biography.

McCullough did ample research; his bibliography is 20-plus pages. In his Acknowledgements the author even tells us which volumes he most appreciated and relied. In a work like this footnotes are considerable, yet they don't disturb the pace of reading. In summary, JOHN ADAMS is a remarkable biography about a fiery Founding Father who gave as good as he got. Highly and enthusiastically recommended.
~D. Mikels, Esq.

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Mike Powers

"The colossus of American independence"

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 12, 2002

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David McCullough has done it again! McCullough, the Pulitzer Prize winning author of several previous superb works of history and biography (most notably, "Mornings on Horseback," "The Path Between the Seas," and "Truman"), has written a wonderfully well rounded picture of a man to whom every American owes a tremendous debt of gratitude. John Adams' many contributions to establishing this great Nation of ours, and the freedoms we cherish, are incalculable. He was indeed, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, the "colossus of American independence."

"John Adams" is literate, elegant in tone, entertaining, and, above all, highly informative. It's not, however, your typical Presidential biography. In this masterful book, there's much less emphasis on the political career of its subject, and more weight given to Adams' personal life. And it was indeed an extraordinary life!

In 1735 John Adams is born into a middle class family in Quincy, Massachusetts. During his childhood and youth, his father decides upon a career in the ministry for his son; but John has other plans. He wants to become a lawyer. After attending Harvard, he practices law intermittently until the outbreak of the American Revolution.

During the years before the war, he meets and marries the great love of his life, Abigail Smith Adams. Throughout their long lives together, this extraordinary woman remains a tremendously positive influence on him.

Adams is one of the earliest to realize the inevitability of American independence from Britain. His arguments in favor of independence are always lucid, logical, easy to understand, and have broad popular appeal. Adams' service to America continues throughout the Revolutionary War years and beyond. He serves as an American delegate to the Paris Peace conference, and, after the war, as an American minister in Europe. In 1788, Adams is recalled to the United States, after faithfully serving his country in the courts of Europe for nearly eight years, three of them separated from his beloved Abigail and their children.

Later in 1788, he is elected Vice President of the United States, an office he holds for the next eight years. Finally, in 1796, he is elected President of the United States. It is the first contested election in American history.

Adams' Presidency is marked by two notable achievements, one of them positive and the other negative. In what Adams considered his greatest accomplishment, he prevents a war with France over the issue of French privateers attacking American ships. His most negative achievement is the signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts, a set of laws that gave the President the legal right to expel any foreigner he considered dangerous, and made "writing against the government, Congress, or President... crimes punishable by fines and imprisonment."

Adams' four years as Chief Executive are also marked by political wrangling unknown in America up to that time. Throughout his term, he is hounded by his political enemies. Foremost among them is Thomas Jefferson, a former friend and the leader of the newly created "Republican" party. Jefferson accuses the Federalist Adams of having "monarchical" tendencies; of advocating a pro-British foreign policy; and of attempting to destroy the republic by concentrating power in a strong central government. Adams is unable to fight back effectively against these charges. In 1800, he loses his bid for re-election to Jefferson.

The last quarter-century of Adams' life is spent in relative obscurity in Quincy. During this period, he experiences tremendous sadness and joy. His son Thomas dies prematurely from alcoholism, and daughter Nabby dies from cancer at age 49. His beloved Abigail follows their children to the grave a few years later, leaving Adams alone after over 50 years of marriage. Adams is consoled by a renewed friendship with his old nemesis, Thomas Jefferson. They will carry on a decade-long correspondence that heals old wounds.

In 1824, John Adams experiences perhaps the moment of pride in his nearly nine decades-long life: he sees his son, John Quincy Adams, become President of the United States.

In one of the great historical ironies of all time, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson - the last surviving signers of the Declaration of Independence - will die on the same day: July 4, 1826. It is the 50th anniversary of the adoption of that immortal document that both labored so hard to help create.

When I picked up "John Adams" for the first time, I hadn't really paid much attention to the historical figure who became the second President of the United States. After all, the career of this short, stocky, seemingly colorless man, whose one term as President was marked by controversy, political wrangling, and an apparent lack of great accomplishment, was nowhere as interesting as the careers of our more famous and charismatic Founding Fathers.

"John Adams" filled in many gaps in my knowledge of this great man. From this magnificent and highly informative book, I learned not only many facts about Adams' life that I didn't know before, but I also learned about the kind of man Adams was. McCullough goes to great lengths to give readers a glimpse of the true character of this extraordinary man.

As with all books authored by David McCullough, "John Adams" is brilliantly written with McCullough's trademark mellifluous, elegant prose. The book reads more like a well crafted historical novel than a straight biography. Readers will find it lively and entertaining on every page.

"John Adams" is the finest biography of America's second President available to general readers. Scholarly yet not stuffy, well researched, brilliantly organized, and eloquently written, it brings to life the man who rightfully belongs in the pantheon of the greatest Americans of all time. Read and enjoy!

22 people found this helpful

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Joao Carlos Souto

John Adams, segundo presidente dos EUA.

Reviewed in Brazil 🇧🇷 on February 1, 2022

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John Adams foi o primeiro vice-presidente e o segundo presidente dos Estados Unidos. Disputou a reeleição e perdeu para seu vice, Thomas Jefferson. Anos depois seu filho, John Quincy Adams se elegeu presidente e igualmente só conseguiu um mandato.

Adams, o pai, foi indiretamente responsável pelo nascimento do controle de constitucionalidade das leis, que surgiu durante a presidência de Thomas Jefferson (1803/1811) e pelas mãos do Chief Justice (Presidente) da Suprema Corte dos Estados Unidos, John Marshall. Ocorre que um ato de Adams não foi implementado na presidência de Jefferson o que motivou o ajuizamento de um Mandado de Segurança, que teve como autor William Marbury e "réu" os Estados Unidos, representado pelo então Secretário de Estado James Madison, daí o caso Marbury v. Madison (1803).

No livro "Suprema Corte dos Estados Unidos - Principais Decisões" (Atlas, 4a edição, 2021) o autor João Carlos Souto discorre minuciosamente sobre o tema, dedicando-lhe todo o capítulo II.

Com relação ao livro de David McCullough, é um clássico, escrito por quem conhece a fundo a História/EUA e escreve com clareza e objetivdade.

5 people found this helpful

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tj

8/10

Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on May 15, 2021

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Good read. Very political though

michael kotow

Informative and enjoyable read

Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on July 22, 2020

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A very well written book which covers a momentous period in American history. John Adams contribution to the early development of the USA was incredible.

Kikuo Kawasaki

Must read if one wants to truly understand the U.S.

Reviewed in Japan 🇯🇵 on July 14, 2013

Verified Purchase

I saw the series on DVD and was totally entertained. For a history buff like myself, David McCullough is the best. kk

Gustavo Fragoso

Uma grande história sobre um dos pais fundadores

Reviewed in Brazil 🇧🇷 on January 11, 2022

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Esse é um livro excelente, e serve como ótima fonte para conhecer o pensamento de John Adams, segundo presidente dos EUA, assim como sua relação com outros pais fundadores e com sua esposa, Abigail Adams. Uma de suas maiores características é o teor literário, que traz personalidades históricas e seu ambiente à vida.

Por meio dessa obra, descobrimos que a Revolução Americana nunca foi algo certo, e que navegou por mares turbulentos de crise econômica, batalhas perdidas, polarização - não tão diferente do que vivemos hoje - e decisões trágicas.

No centro desta história, está John Adams que, de acordo com as evidências, conseguiu manter seu caráter na vida política, e não evoluiu na carreira justamente por conta deste fato. Não se engajou em campanhas de assassinato de reputação e tomou as decisões que entendeu corretas, desagradando "aliados" e inimigos políticos. Em resumo, um homem de convicção, que há muito não vemos em nossa política.

Qualquer pessoa de bom senso tem muito a aprender com o legado de John Adams.

3 people found this helpful

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