John Adams: a (relatively short) review

My wife recently suggested that I write a quick review of the books that comprise my bedtime reading. I guess I'll give it a shot. A disclaimer--if you think that the books I review are boring, well, you oughtta see the ones I read for class...

So, in the first of a possibly long series of reviews, I critique David McCullough's John Adams.

Overall impression: very good

Readability: good (I could read it at night without falling asleep--something I cannot guarantee for my grad school texts)

John Adams is one of those founding fathers you hear the least about--he doesn't have a big memorial in D.C., and you don't hear him quoted by current political leaders the way they quote Washington, Jefferson, etc. But Adams deserves to be remembered as one of the greatest patriots in American history. As the first true diplomat for the fledgling United States, he spent most of the Revolutionary War in France and the Netherlands, trying to win support for the American cause in lands where he was socially unpopular and he didn't even speak the language (at first). Adams repeatedly put the needs of his country above his own needs, and like many of the other Founding Fathers, he suffered both personally and financially for his patriotism.

The book provides intriguing insights into American politics at the dawn of the nineteenth century, and sheds light on the powerful personalities of those men who shaped the United States in its formative years. Thomas Jefferson comes off as a brilliant but aloof academic, who let his ambition get in the way of his integrity and loyalty to friends. Alexander Hamilton comes across as a villain who lusted for power; James Madison doesn't look much better. Although the Adams-Jefferson political rivalry and later friendship are well-known historically, this book explains the background of their political feud, and shows how deep the divide became, and how brutally personal political attacks were at the dawn of the nineteenth century. Believe it or not, even George Washington was not immune to attacks on his intellect, character, and leadership from a partisan and critical American press!

I find it interesting that the Democrats so often look to Thomas Jefferson as the founder of their party, when in truth, he represented pretty much everything they now stand against--slavery, the landed upper-class, and the right of states to reject unpopular federal programs. In truth, John Adams would be a better symbol of Democratic Party values, as a New England farmer who rose up from humble circumstances, gained an education, served his country brilliantly for many decades, and then retired to the farm and small home that he loved. Adams opposed slavery all his life, and felt that the federal government needed to be strong enough to force states to comply with mandates that the states themselves didn't like. At the same time, he also opposed a standing army and the trappings of militarism that seem to go hand-in-hand with right-wing politics. He never became truly wealthy (what wealth he did accumulate between government jobs, he lost in a bank failure shortly after leaving the Presidency).

In addition, Adams's relationship with his wife was exceptional--she was his intellectual equal, and one to whom he turned for all sorts of advice--a sounding board, if you will. Certainly a far cry from many other "great" American leaders, past and present. And unlike a certain presidential candidate's spouse, Abigail Adams was always proud of America, and what her husband helped it to become.

I liked the book quite a bit (as I enjoyed McCullough's 1776 last year), and would recommend it to anyone with an interest in American history. It makes you appreciate the deep personal sacrifices that so many people made to ensure that we could enjoy the freedoms we have today.