John Adams

David McCullough

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tumultuous era of the american revolution

detailed biography of a president

relationships with founding fathers

dynamic between john and abigail adams

dense historical information

narrative flair with factual detail

interwoven personal and political history

comprehensive account of life and times

deliberate pacing and rich historical context

journey from lawyer to political figure

'John Adams' by David McCullough is a detailed biography that delves into the life of the second President of the United States. The book covers Adams' role in the founding of the nation, his relationships with other founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson, and his personal life, including his marriage to Abigail Adams. The writing style is described as thorough, well-researched, and at times, dense with historical information, making it a comprehensive account of Adams' life and times.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and clear, combining narrative flair with factual detail, making history feel vivid and personal.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately details John Adams' journey from a passionate lawyer and advocate for independence to a pivotal political figure in early American history, interweaving personal relationships and national conflicts.

Setting:

The setting captures the tumultuous era of the American Revolution and the subsequent challenges faced by the new nation.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate, sometimes slow due to detailed accounts, but it effectively builds a rich historical context.

IN THE COLD, nearly colorless light of a New England winter, two men on horseback traveled the coast road below Boston, heading north. A foot or more of snow covered the landscape, the remnants of a C...

Genres:

biography

history

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Notes:

John Adams was a man of duty and believed in public service as a lifelong creed.

His marriage to Abigail Smith was the most important decision of his life and she played a significant role in his success.

Adams showed surprising restraint during his contentious time in the Continental Congress.

Though he was self-critical, Adams was respected and rarely criticized by his peers during 1776.

His views on France were shaped by his belief in republican virtue, stemming from Roman ideals.

Adams emphasized the duty of government to provide education and promote literature, science, and the arts in the Massachusetts constitution.

He formed a lasting friendship with Thomas Jefferson during their time in Paris, despite later political rivalry.

Adams was a skilled diplomat and proved effective in his ambassadorship, despite feeling out of his element.

He believed the future of the country hinged on education and was concerned about frequent elections and their effects on governance.

As Vice President, Adams set the standard for the role, casting thirty-one tie-breaking votes, always supporting the administration.

His presidency was marked by the stress of the quasi-war with France, political rivalries, and his eventual recognition for achieving a rare level of statesmanship.

Adams and Jefferson famously died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Despite political challenges, there were no scandals during Adams's presidency.

From The Publisher:

The Pulitzer Prize-winning, bestselling biography of America's founding father and second president that was the basis for the acclaimed HBO series, brilliantly told by master historian David McCullough.

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 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.

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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, The American Spirit, 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.

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