John Adams

David McCullough

John Adams was a remarkable man involved in pivotal events in the beginnings in the United States of America. Already a successful lawyer and farmer, in 1776 at the age of 40 he left New England for Philadelphia, and helped spark the American Revolution against England. He was a revolutionary - believing in self government and self determination. The first time he ever left New England was to go to the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1774. Before his career was done, he was an ambassador to France before the United States was a recognized country. He was the first American ambassador to England although he all he was able to do was help prepare the way for those who followed. He was able to secure loans in Amsterdam to continue the Revolutionary War. He was an author and an orator. Eventually he was the first Vice-President and second President of the United States.

David McCullough took well covered ground and re-examined it to come up with the lengthy, detailed biography of John Adams. The books centers on this remarkable man but has to cover the incredible times as well. McCullough researched thoroughly with a wealth of material. John Adams was an inveterate letter writer and the family has saved those through the years. There are times when McCullough can only suppose the exact events or thoughts of the people involved, but it is well founded extrapolation from the records available.

John Adams is a long book and not a quick read. Someone who reads modern light books won't get far. John Adams instead has depth and insight. From Adams' writings and history we have a snapshot of the times that is fairly clear and honest. McCullough used that information to write a book that encompasses the busy man and the busy times. It not only covers the history of the war and the European politics involved while he, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson were ambassadors in France in England, but it then covers the beginning of our American Republic.

Adams wrote a Constitution for Massachusetts that was based on a similar document in England. The United States Constitution was then based on the Massachusetts Constitution. Adams' contributions there alone would have placed him in the history books. He also helped establish the current government structure. During the first years of our new country the presidential candidates didn't promote themselves overtly. Instead others did the campaigning for them. Adams was caught in the erupting politics of the time which limited some of what he would have like to have done.

Of course John Adams was very human. He would lose his temper easily. He could play politics with the best of them, yet at other times could barely tolerate others he felt politicked too much or took advantage of their situation. He was devoted to his wife Abigail and she to him. John Adams is her story as well as his, even if he is the focal point. Without her, he would have been a very different man.

I enjoyed this book all the way through. Yet it isn't easy to read. I read the first half over five years ago. I was impressed the whole time I was reading it. Then it was due back to the library and I couldn't get back in the right frame of mind to pick it up again. I was glad when my book club chose to read it this year so that I would finally have the impetus to pick it up and read it again. Once more I was provoked and thoughtful throughout but it was still slow reading.

I loved the history. I like McCullough's portrayal of the man and the times. If you are an American historical buff and haven't read this yet, you should.