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ajaneb's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
This is easily one of the best books I’ve ever read. It is so well written that from the first to the last page you are enraptured in the saga of our nation’s founding. John Adams’ life so desperately calls for a biography, being so rich with adventure and challenge, and McCullough does not disappoint. His writing is clear but stylistic, and the structure carries your attention and interest. I’m really amazed at his talent, and I’ve become an instant fan.
gderickson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
5.0
aprilberryrust's review against another edition
3.0
Written in a style between history book and literature. It made me crave to read it more as a story than a history book. Took a long time to read, a little dry, but I don't regret reading it.
jorobinson5's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
deedoo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
cschmi46's review against another edition
4.0
If Alexander Hamilton says even ONE more shitty thing about John Adams he can come right over and say it to my FACE.
x0pherl's review against another edition
4.0
As you would expect from David McCullough, a well researched and intriguing book about a fascinating character and time. I probably would have enjoyed this even more if I hadn't just read a Washington biography- if I'm going to keep reading through the presidencies, I'm going to need to spread them out a little more, I suppose.
I "liked" Adams more than I expected to after reading the Washington biography. Part of that may be McCullough's obvious respect influencing the reader. I find myself curious if McCullough's coverage of the passage of the Alien and Sedition Act was complete. To me this was the low point of Adams' career, and when I finished the book I found myself wondering if McCullough had skipped over that a bit in order to present a more positive picture, or if I had simply forgotten the chapters covering that.
One final "spoiler-ish" note- I was astounded to learn that Adams and Jefferson both died on the 4th of July in 1826- how is that not a basic fact that all Americans know?
I "liked" Adams more than I expected to after reading the Washington biography. Part of that may be McCullough's obvious respect influencing the reader. I find myself curious if McCullough's coverage of the passage of the Alien and Sedition Act was complete. To me this was the low point of Adams' career, and when I finished the book I found myself wondering if McCullough had skipped over that a bit in order to present a more positive picture, or if I had simply forgotten the chapters covering that.
One final "spoiler-ish" note- I was astounded to learn that Adams and Jefferson both died on the 4th of July in 1826- how is that not a basic fact that all Americans know?