Rating: 
Summary: Too much of a fan?
Review: I have always enjoyed David McCullough's work, from Truman, to the wonderful account of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge. And I must say that I enjoyed - for the most part - his biography of John Adams. I do agree with many, that Mr. Adams has been unfairly ignored by historians, that make him out to be little more than "that guy" that served between George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Clearly, Mr. McCullough feels that John Adams deserves more credit than he's received. Still: it becomes frustrating and clear as I read through each chapter, that the author has fallen in love with his subject. To read this book, you'd think that Benjamin Franklin was lazy and obnoxious as years went on, Thomas Jefferson was two-faced, Alexander Hamilton was a power-mad lunatic, George Washington was vastly overrated and all were corrupted in one way or another by politics. But not Adams. Adams was above it all. Mr. McCullough also darn near apologizes for Adam's faults and incorrect actions, including his temper, arrogant (at times) attitude and the passing of the Alien and Sedation act. The Act, which could have destroyed freedom of the press and immigration in this country was passed while Adams was president. Adams supported it. But the author spends little time, two pages our of over 600, on a moment that has damaged President Adams' legacy - and rightly so. the book's explanation? Nearly everyone supported it. Well that isn't even close to an acceptable excuse. And as stated accurately in the book, Jefferson was very much against it. The book also says that Jefferson's greatest action as president, the Louisiana Purchase, was only possible because Adams kept us out of a war. Ok, maybe, maybe not. But again, it was another small dig at Jefferson in a book that built Adams up too much. LIke H.W. Brands' First American (about Franklin. A solid read, though a drag at times), Mr. McCullough should take a step back and realize when he's become too attached to a subject. John Adams was part of this country's extraordinary beginning. For that he should be credited. But a more balanced account would have been appreciated. Of course I still eagerly wait for Mr. McCullough's next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Masterful writing.
Review: Simply the best biography I have ever read. McCullough's book is full of stories, history, and insights about our second president. This book is well researched and does an excellent job of giving us a personal look at John Adams through his letters and those of many others including his wife and Thomas Jefferson. Seeing the sacrifices Adams and his wife were forced to make to help a struggling nation survive are very touching and give an excellent perspective on the birth of our nation. As close and as personal a look as you could ask for of anyones life. Recommending reading to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: McCullough does it again
Review: David McCullough's John Adams is even better than his book Truman. It is an easy read and a fun read. I found it difficult to put down. mcCullough teaches you about the people who helped the 13 colonies become one country; how political parties were formed and how politicing then is not much differnt than it is today. He also provides insight on the various people who governed the US or wanted to. More than you ever learned in school. What really amazed me was the fact that the letters John and Abagail Adams wrote to each other or to others survived. The fact that their family and other people's families saved their correspondence is remarkable.
Rating:
Summary: A first rate biography !
Review: According to the history that most of us remember from our grade school days, John Adams was always one of the more boring founding fathers. Less flashy than Jefferson, not as amiable as Franklin, and not as glamorous as our first President, Adams is usually dimly remembered for being cranky with our French allies and, oh yes, the second President of the United States. But this excellent biography reminds us that he was a fierce Patriot-- an early force in the urging of the Declaration of Independence, a critical diplomat in ensuring the funds for our young republic, a decisive envoy for the peace negotiations with the British, and our first ambassador to the former mother country. He was the first Vice President and served our country with unceasing zeal and integrity.Furthermore, Adams was as complex and interesting as the rest of those titans of history whom we refer to as the Founding Fathers. His lifelong love affair and partnership with his wife Abigail is well documented through their countless letters to one another. McCullough does an excellent job of portraying their touching need for the other and this, more than anything else, turns Adams from a dour historical figure into a breathing, passionate man that gave his all for his beliefs. The quibbles of some other reviewers aside, the basic history is solid and well presented. More to the point, this is a biography aimed at the general reader and it does an excellent job of making the life and times of the revolutionary period accessible and interesting to that audience. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the American Revolution, enjoys biographies of historical figures, or would just like to reacquaint themselves with one of the giants of history.
Rating:
Summary: The True Father of Our Country
Review: John Adams is the man that history forgot. And he knew it was going to happen. But that didn't stop him from making many personal and professional sacrifices to help form this country. David McCullough portrays a true John Adams. He doesn't let us think that Adams was obnoxious and disliked as John Adams himself remembered. I have been a fan of John Adams since I first watched the film 1776. The few books I could find on Adams did not dig deep enough for the true John Adams. It is clear that McCullough did a lot of research. In reading this book, you really wonder how they did it. How did a group of men from different backgrounds come together and form this new country?
Rating:
Summary: Epic account with a personal touch...
Review: David McCullough continues to excel at writing monumental biographies but still making it readable and personal. McCullough manages to cover a major portion of our history and still give the reader the feeling of being at Adam's side throughout. All the major events are recounted (the true story of the writing of the Declaration of Independance, the Paris peace treaty, Adams as vice president as well as president...) as well as little known events largely surrounding his time spent as an ambassador to France and Great Britan. Adams famed personal independance is felt throughout the book, but, more surprising, so are his intimate emotions concerning life and family. Finally, McCullough also excels at vivid descriptions of what life was truly like at the end of the 18th century and into the 19th that gives this book the richness that makes it stand out. History writing on this scale is rare indeed and should be the springboard to other large scale biographies. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Superb Biography
Review: This biography is accesible to the general reader. It does not bore with scholarly details. It covers Adams entire life. It brings out one of our Founders from relative obscurity. One can feel both the pain of loss and the triumphs of victory that marked much of his life. Somewhat boastful, very assertive, sometimes wrong-headed, but always with the best of intentions and with impeccable character, McCullough adds to the required cannon for those interested in the American founding and one of its more colorful characters.
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't Compare to "Truman"
Review: I did enjoy this book, however, it does not compare to McCullough's "Truman". When I finished "Truman" I felt like I had lost a friend. McCullough was not able to do the same with this book. I felt that too much time was devoted to Abigail. While she is key to the life of John Adams, I would rather have had more details of the political decisions John Adams made and why. This book is definitely worth the time spent reading it, and I learned much about the man and his times. If you are expecting another "Truman" you may be dissappointed. If you are expecting an every day biography - you will be pleased.
Rating:
Summary: A+ for Prose; C- for Scholarship and McCullough Understands
Review: First, this is a well written enjoyable read on one of our "forgotten" founding fathers ...but the scholarship, and in many respects, the cornerstone premise of the book is the Jefferson quote that McCullough uses to describe Adams "as the colossus of independence" ...problem is it appears Jefferson never said it and the flawed scholarship takes an important period of American history and proceeds to muddle it. Commercially, scholarship be damned, the books are selling and yet, a reader should expect more ...unfortunate.
Rating:
Summary: The Real John Adams
Review: This is a great book. Now I understand what type of person John Adams was: intuitive, visionary, stubborn, determined, loyal, brave, argumentative, but mostly a man who believed he could make a difference and did. If you want to really understand our founding fathers, who they were, what they did, and why, get this book today. It must be made into a movie.
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