Sign in with Facebook
Max's Reviews > John Adams
John Adams
by
by
McCullough’s biography deserves all the accolades. It is written with depth and with passion. More than just a history, this is a penetrating look into the minds of Adams, Jefferson, family, friends and enemies that brings them and their times to life for us. This remarkable accounting of the birth of a country and how it found its early footing foreshadows the civil war and debates that still rage in America. Contrasting the beliefs, politics and personalities of Adams and Jefferson, McCullough exquisitely illustrates the divisions and binding forces of early America that persist to this day. That the deaths of Jefferson and Adams, the pen and the voice of the Declaration of Independence, occurred only five hours apart on July 4, 1826 exactly fifty years after its proclamation is simply astonishing. A must read for every American and anyone who wants to understand America, past and present.
Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read
John Adams.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
February 1, 2014
–
Started Reading
February 1, 2014
– Shelved
February 6, 2014
– Shelved as:
american-history
February 6, 2014
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-19 of 19 (19 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Lilo
(new)
-
added it
Feb 06, 2014 08:03PM
I think I'll read it before we apply for American citizenship.
reply
|
flag
McCullough also relates with feeling Adams' personal life, particularly his relationship with his wife Abigail, the woman behind the man. You might enjoy this book for more than its historical value.
This all sounds so interesting. I wish I had detected Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ and Amazon earlier. Before this, I only found and bought books at random; many of them I would not have bought, had I realized that there are so many more interesting ones. Now I am drowning in TBRs (tons of them already purchased).
Jocelyn wrote: "I loved this."So did I.
Indeed, an all time great biography. So compulsive and illuminating to read. And McCullough rescued Adams from unfair neglect by historians as far as the credit he is due.
Brian wrote: "Indeed, an all time great biography. So compulsive and illuminating to read. And McCullough rescued Adams from unfair neglect by historians as far as the credit he is due."Yes, there are a lot of good biographies out there, but this one really stands out.
Great review, Max. McCullough has a way of making you feel that you are like a fly on the wall, witnessing all the events of his life.
Colleen wrote: "Great review, Max. McCullough has a way of making you feel that you are like a fly on the wall, witnessing all the events of his life."Thanks, Colleen. Yes, such a gifted writer. The five of his books I have read were all excellent. From John Adams to the Brooklyn Bridge he can make any subject a wonderful read.
Absolutely agree. A must read! I've been thinking of re-reading recently.
Brian wrote: "Absolutely agree. A must read! I've been thinking of re-reading recently."I have had similar thoughts Brian, but there are so many new books I want to get to, I never go back.
Great review, Max. I am looking at my copy sitting in my library begging to be read. This year for sure! David McCullough is one of my favorite historians.
Lorna wrote: "Great review, Max. I am looking at my copy sitting in my library begging to be read. This year for sure! David McCullough is one of my favorite historians."Thanks, Lorna. Go for it. It will be a pleasure, not a chore.
Dmitri wrote: "On my list now - thanks!"You'll enjoy this one, Dmitri.
Great review Max! I’ll take it as kismet that your review popped up in my feed right as I was thinking of making this my next biographical read! I just finished reading a terrific biography of Andrew Jackson—“American Lion,� by Jon Meacham—and Adams’s son John Quincy plays quite a large role in it, being an arch-rival of Jackson’s. Anyway, I think your review has sealed the deal!
Kevin Lopez wrote: "Great review Max! I’ll take it as kismet that your review popped up in my feed right as I was thinking of making this my next biographical read! I just finished reading a terrific biography of Andr..."Thanks, Kevin. Happy my review helped steer you to this one. It's a great book.
Nice review. It's been a while since I read this, but I remember loving the book and developing some appreciation for Adams, though the Alien and Sedition Acts are a huge black mark on his record.
Tim wrote: "Nice review. It's been a while since I read this, but I remember loving the book and developing some appreciation for Adams, though the Alien and Sedition Acts are a huge black mark on his record."Thanks, Tim. It's been a few years since I read this too, but if I remember correctly, Abigail urged John to support the Alien and Sedition Acts, which were instrumental in his loss to Jefferson.
