What do you think?
Rate this book
First Family: Abigail and John Adams
The Pulitzer Prize-winning, best-selling author of "Founding Brothers" and "His Excellency "brings America's preeminent first couple to life in a moving and illuminating narrative that sweeps through the American Revolution and the republic's tenuous early years.
John and Abigail Adams left an indelible and remarkably preserved portrait of their lives together in their personal correspondence: both Adamses were prolific letter writers (although John conceded that Abigail was clearly the more gifted of the two), and over the years they exchanged more than twelve hundred letters. Joseph J. Ellis distills this unprecedented and unsurpassed record to give us an account both intimate and panoramic; part biography, part political history, and part love story.
Ellis describes the first meeting between the two as inauspicious--John was twenty-four, Abigail just fifteen, and each was entirely unimpressed with the other. But they soon began a passionate correspondence that resulted in their marriage five years later.
Over the next decades, the couple were separated nearly as much as they were together. John's political career took him first to Philadelphia, where he became the boldest advocate for the measures that would lead to the Declaration of Independence. Yet in order to attend the Second Continental Congress, he left his wife and children in the middle of the war zone that had by then engulfed Massachusetts. Later he was sent to Paris, where he served as a minister to the court of France alongside Benjamin Franklin. These years apart stressed the Adamses' union almost beyond what it could bear: Abigail grew lonely, while the Adams children suffered from their father's absence.
John was elected the nation's first vice president, but by the time of his reelection, Abigail's health prevented her from joining him in Philadelphia, the interim capital. She no doubt had further reservations about moving to the swamp on the Potomac when John became president, although this time he persuaded her. President Adams inherited a weak and bitterly divided country from George Washington. The political situation was perilous at best, and he needed his closest advisor by his side: "I can do nothing," John told Abigail after his election, "without you."
In Ellis's rich and striking new history, John and Abigail's relationship unfolds in the context of America's birth as a nation.
John and Abigail Adams left an indelible and remarkably preserved portrait of their lives together in their personal correspondence: both Adamses were prolific letter writers (although John conceded that Abigail was clearly the more gifted of the two), and over the years they exchanged more than twelve hundred letters. Joseph J. Ellis distills this unprecedented and unsurpassed record to give us an account both intimate and panoramic; part biography, part political history, and part love story.
Ellis describes the first meeting between the two as inauspicious--John was twenty-four, Abigail just fifteen, and each was entirely unimpressed with the other. But they soon began a passionate correspondence that resulted in their marriage five years later.
Over the next decades, the couple were separated nearly as much as they were together. John's political career took him first to Philadelphia, where he became the boldest advocate for the measures that would lead to the Declaration of Independence. Yet in order to attend the Second Continental Congress, he left his wife and children in the middle of the war zone that had by then engulfed Massachusetts. Later he was sent to Paris, where he served as a minister to the court of France alongside Benjamin Franklin. These years apart stressed the Adamses' union almost beyond what it could bear: Abigail grew lonely, while the Adams children suffered from their father's absence.
John was elected the nation's first vice president, but by the time of his reelection, Abigail's health prevented her from joining him in Philadelphia, the interim capital. She no doubt had further reservations about moving to the swamp on the Potomac when John became president, although this time he persuaded her. President Adams inherited a weak and bitterly divided country from George Washington. The political situation was perilous at best, and he needed his closest advisor by his side: "I can do nothing," John told Abigail after his election, "without you."
In Ellis's rich and striking new history, John and Abigail's relationship unfolds in the context of America's birth as a nation.
299 pages, Hardcover
First published October 26, 2010
About the author
Joseph J. Ellis
36 books1,229 followersJoseph John-Michael Ellis III is an American historian whose work focuses on the lives and times of the Founding Fathers of the United States. His book American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson won a National Book Award in 1997 and Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation won the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for History. Both of these books were bestsellers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 433 reviews
August 31, 2016
Before Bill and Hillary took to the White House, or Al and Tipper inspired Love Story, in a pre-Brangelina world (if one can imagine it), there was another power couple, John and Abigail Adams.
This is a portrait painted primarily through the letters between John and Abigail, with careful attention paid to the irony that we know the least about the times during which they were together. Luckily for us (not so much for the wife and kids), John's time was often dominated by his political duties and featured a lengthy (we're talking years) stint as a diplomat abroad. Thus, what Joseph J. Ellis calls the "paradox of proximity," isn't too much of a handicap.
The tone and topics of their correspondence range from gag-worthy lovey-dovey lines during their courtship, to diatribes on the behind the scenes political dealings in France, and the occasional chastising word from Abigail re. John's shortcomings as a parent. Abigail's political and intellectual astuteness are of particular importance given John's resistance to party politics, and the tricky dynamics of internal governmental dealings when the position of vice president went to whoever came in second, and the appropriateness of the use of executive power to pick and choose and oust cabinet members.
The trying melée and scandals of the young republic are all there. A line from Jim Butcher's Storm Front I came across seemed to fit well, "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face." Maybe there weren't any face-eating demons, but there was more than enough paranoia and betrayal to go around. In his twilight years, it seemed all too appropriate that John envisioned debating Franklin in the hereafter. However, the one who he most hoped to encounter once more was, of course, Abigail.
Despite the abundance of good material out there, I am not all that familiar with the other Adams-centric works. What I can say, is that this told what felt like a reasonably full story of the American Revolution (the Spirit of '76 and whatnot) and of the life and times of one of the nation's founding families.
This is a portrait painted primarily through the letters between John and Abigail, with careful attention paid to the irony that we know the least about the times during which they were together. Luckily for us (not so much for the wife and kids), John's time was often dominated by his political duties and featured a lengthy (we're talking years) stint as a diplomat abroad. Thus, what Joseph J. Ellis calls the "paradox of proximity," isn't too much of a handicap.
The tone and topics of their correspondence range from gag-worthy lovey-dovey lines during their courtship, to diatribes on the behind the scenes political dealings in France, and the occasional chastising word from Abigail re. John's shortcomings as a parent. Abigail's political and intellectual astuteness are of particular importance given John's resistance to party politics, and the tricky dynamics of internal governmental dealings when the position of vice president went to whoever came in second, and the appropriateness of the use of executive power to pick and choose and oust cabinet members.
The trying melée and scandals of the young republic are all there. A line from Jim Butcher's Storm Front I came across seemed to fit well, "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face." Maybe there weren't any face-eating demons, but there was more than enough paranoia and betrayal to go around. In his twilight years, it seemed all too appropriate that John envisioned debating Franklin in the hereafter. However, the one who he most hoped to encounter once more was, of course, Abigail.
Despite the abundance of good material out there, I am not all that familiar with the other Adams-centric works. What I can say, is that this told what felt like a reasonably full story of the American Revolution (the Spirit of '76 and whatnot) and of the life and times of one of the nation's founding families.
January 27, 2013
First, I just want to get this off my chest: I hate the Goodreads star system. Should I have given this book 4 stars instead of 3? Maybe 3.5, although that doesn't seem to be an option? Is it fair to give this book the same number of stars that I routinely assign to police procedurals without taking into account the considerable scholarship that went into it, the author's obvious familiarity with the thousands of letters that the Adamses and their circle churned out? At any rate, I learned a lot of stuff I didn't know before--not just about our second POTUS and FLOTUS but about the Revolutionary War and the early government and the fact that the American political system has always been a disgusting suckfest rife with malignant narcissists and lying, backbiting shitbirds--so in that regard it was a very informative read. Ellis writes in an engaging style, with a deft sense of drama and pacing, and the narrator of the audiobook has a crisp and not overly dramatic reading voice, which I appreciated. Sometimes I imagined that she looked like Laura Linney, although I'm sure she doesn't. Maybe if I weren't sick and crabby and depressed right now I would give this book four stars; maybe even five. I don't read a lot of nonfiction, much to my shame, and my knowledge of American history is lamentably shallow, so it's hard for me to assess how this book would rank alongside similar books. I would guess that Jefferson, Hamilton, and Franklin, for instance, don't come across quite so assholishly in bios devoted primarily to them. I did find myself having a lot less respect for many of the founding fathers than I did before. One of many reasons that the laughably self-identified "originalists" (e.g., Scalia) are full of shit is that the founding fathers seemed to disagree about almost everything, and you would have to be a fool or a liar to pretend otherwise.
July 10, 2012
John Adams is my favorite Founding Father, not least because I dearly love the musical 1776, which I watch every year in celebration of the 4th of July. (Adams thought it was July 2nd, the date of the vote to declare independence, that would be "commemorated as the Day of Deliverance ... It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.")
This is an easy read, a lightweight biography of Adams with a focus on his relationship with Abigail. I read McCullough’s book several years ago and this was a pleasant refresher. I enjoy Ellis’s engaging style. It’s written from a fond perspective, but he does not gloss over Adams’s faults and mistakes.
This made me want to pick up a biography of John Quincy Adams, and also one on Alexander Hamilton. My husband loves the Chernow book on Hamilton, but I’m not sure I’m up for 800 pages, so maybe I’ll try Brookhiser’s slimmer volume first.
This is an easy read, a lightweight biography of Adams with a focus on his relationship with Abigail. I read McCullough’s book several years ago and this was a pleasant refresher. I enjoy Ellis’s engaging style. It’s written from a fond perspective, but he does not gloss over Adams’s faults and mistakes.
This made me want to pick up a biography of John Quincy Adams, and also one on Alexander Hamilton. My husband loves the Chernow book on Hamilton, but I’m not sure I’m up for 800 pages, so maybe I’ll try Brookhiser’s slimmer volume first.
December 21, 2010
I admit to a certain bias: Abigail and John Adams are my favorite historical couple. But this book sheds further light on why they worked so well together, focusing on their relationship based on their correspondence (the largest collection of letters from any presidential couple).
Abigail, brilliant, fiery, and domestic, was often left alone to run the farm and raise the children. John was often away on political business, at the mercy of his own ambitions and temperamental mood swings. Somehow, they balanced each other.
I was keenly interested in the way the Adamses and their children related to each other, but I also learned a great deal about how John Adams related to his fellow politicians: to put it rather bluntly, badly. The heated grudges with Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were eye-opening, and the resolution of the latter as Adams and Jefferson finally made peace after decades of mistrust (and more than a little backstabbing) was practically cinematic.
This is history for me: the story of real people in extraordinary times. Well-written, well-researched and cited, and an excellent read.
Abigail, brilliant, fiery, and domestic, was often left alone to run the farm and raise the children. John was often away on political business, at the mercy of his own ambitions and temperamental mood swings. Somehow, they balanced each other.
I was keenly interested in the way the Adamses and their children related to each other, but I also learned a great deal about how John Adams related to his fellow politicians: to put it rather bluntly, badly. The heated grudges with Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were eye-opening, and the resolution of the latter as Adams and Jefferson finally made peace after decades of mistrust (and more than a little backstabbing) was practically cinematic.
This is history for me: the story of real people in extraordinary times. Well-written, well-researched and cited, and an excellent read.
June 29, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version of this book, and felt the reader did an excellent job. I appreciated the authors ability to put one back into the 1700's, and also link it to the differences of today.
One of the things I came away with is how sad it is that a beautiful language has gone the way of the dinosaur, not to mention the art of letter writing. Omg, if this generation did rite ltrs, they might not be quite so intrstg. Idk?
It was pretty incredible that Mr. Adam's had so much foresight to see the future importance of keeping all of their correspondence! What a gift for history. A really wonderful way to learn some of history that I have (almost....) completely forgotten. Hopefully an impetus to carry on and learn even more!
One of the things I came away with is how sad it is that a beautiful language has gone the way of the dinosaur, not to mention the art of letter writing. Omg, if this generation did rite ltrs, they might not be quite so intrstg. Idk?
It was pretty incredible that Mr. Adam's had so much foresight to see the future importance of keeping all of their correspondence! What a gift for history. A really wonderful way to learn some of history that I have (almost....) completely forgotten. Hopefully an impetus to carry on and learn even more!
January 16, 2021
Okay...apparently I’m reading presidential biographies now. What is this pandemic doing to me?
Abigail and John were the original American power couple and I am here for it. Really enjoyed this and learned a lot.
Abigail and John were the original American power couple and I am here for it. Really enjoyed this and learned a lot.
December 6, 2013
http://bestpresidentialbios.com/2013/...
“First Family: Abigail & John Adams” is the most recent of nearly a dozen books by Joseph J. Ellis. Mr. Ellis is a Professor of History at Mount Holyoke and has written extensively on the revolutionary era and some of its most prominent figures. ”First Family” is the last of a seven books in my library on John Adams, and is the only one whose focus is not principally on the former president, but on both John and his exceptional wife Abigail.
Fortunately for posterity, Abigail and John were prolific writers, exchanging more than 1,200 letters with each other and leaving historians a treasure trove of insight into their relationship and how they perceived the dynamic, revolutionary and turbulent world around them. They were no less productive in writing others as well: friends, other family members and numerous politicians of the day. Together with the diary John Adams kept, these documents provide nearly unmatched access into the lives of two important members of the revolutionary era.
Although I expected this book to be quite unique compared to previous biographies of John Adams that I’ve read, in truth it is not. Several of the earlier biographies did focus significantly on John’s relationship with Abigail – whether by virtue of her keen and perceptive insight, her impressively articulate letters (particularly for an “uneducated” woman of her times), her propensity for sharing her views on politics with her husband, or her ability to counterbalance John’s “eccentricities”. So the focus of this book, while unusual in its apparent single-mindedness, was not unique.
In addition, “First Family” proves much less narrowly focused on John’s relationship with Abigail than I expected (based on the title, if nothing else). This book is not the relationship analysis one might expect if reading the notes from their marriage counselor, had there been one. Instead, this is essentially a slimmed-down biography on both Abigail and John Adams, beginning with their introduction to each other in 1759 (at the age of 24 for John, and 15 for Abigail) and terminating with John’s death on July 4, 1826. Although its theme clearly centers around this fascinating couple’s relationship, the reader is quite well-introduced to the broader political and social context of the era during the book’s 250 or so pages.
In fact, for someone with little previous knowledge of John Adams, his enormous contribution to the Continental Congress, his role as a diplomat and part-time financier in Europe, his eight years as vice president or his term as president, “First Family” provides almost as good an introduction to those years as much longer John Adams biographies. So although I had expected to come away with a much richer understanding of the John/Abigail relationship, any disappointment seems due to the earlier biographies being more thorough in their treatment of the relationship than I had expected. However, I was struck with how well this book not only analyzes their relationship, but also serves as a precis of John Adams’s life generally, giving short shrift only to the years before he and Abigail met.
Some reviewers have questioned Ellis’s commitment to leaving unsubstantiated opinions – disguised as fact – out of his text. While I was sensitive to this criticism, I saw little evidence that the worst fears of those critics filtered into this book. At several junctures, Ellis points out that “we can never know for sure…” and goes on to surmise what may have happened, may have been said or what someone may have felt on the basis of the author’s opinion. These occasions are clearly recognizable and leave the reader with ample caution to distinguish fact from presumption (or even fiction).
In addition, other reviewers have criticized the book for numerous minor errors it contains such as attributing incorrect dates to certain events, but where neither the date nor the event are critical to the story (such as the date of the end of the First Continental Congress). These shortcomings, where they do exist, are certainly troublesome – particularly to the historian and the more “academic” readers. That they may have come from the pen of a professor and noted author is even more unfortunate. But the average reader will likely find no quarrel with, nor even recognize, them.
Overall, “First Family: Abigail & John Adams” is a relatively short and remarkably interesting book. It serves not only as an introduction to the remarkable relationship between Abigail and John, but also as a summary of pre-revolutionary America, the revolutionary years (largely from the perspective of a member of Congress locked in a Philadelphia meeting room most of those years, then shipped to France to negotiate peace), and the first twelve years of the US presidency. Although this book is neither the best biography of John Adams, nor as extensively focused on John’s relationship with Abigail as I had wished, it does both quite well and in fewer pages than others.
For readers interested in exploring Abigail’s and John’s relationship in greater detail, two books I have not read but which have been highly recommended include Woody Holton’s “Abigail Adams�� and Edith Gelles’s “Abigail and John: Portrait of a Marriage”. They will appear on my bookshelves shortly (though reading them may have to wait for the presidential journey to first run its course).
Overall rating: 4¼ stars
“First Family: Abigail & John Adams” is the most recent of nearly a dozen books by Joseph J. Ellis. Mr. Ellis is a Professor of History at Mount Holyoke and has written extensively on the revolutionary era and some of its most prominent figures. ”First Family” is the last of a seven books in my library on John Adams, and is the only one whose focus is not principally on the former president, but on both John and his exceptional wife Abigail.
Fortunately for posterity, Abigail and John were prolific writers, exchanging more than 1,200 letters with each other and leaving historians a treasure trove of insight into their relationship and how they perceived the dynamic, revolutionary and turbulent world around them. They were no less productive in writing others as well: friends, other family members and numerous politicians of the day. Together with the diary John Adams kept, these documents provide nearly unmatched access into the lives of two important members of the revolutionary era.
Although I expected this book to be quite unique compared to previous biographies of John Adams that I’ve read, in truth it is not. Several of the earlier biographies did focus significantly on John’s relationship with Abigail – whether by virtue of her keen and perceptive insight, her impressively articulate letters (particularly for an “uneducated” woman of her times), her propensity for sharing her views on politics with her husband, or her ability to counterbalance John’s “eccentricities”. So the focus of this book, while unusual in its apparent single-mindedness, was not unique.
In addition, “First Family” proves much less narrowly focused on John’s relationship with Abigail than I expected (based on the title, if nothing else). This book is not the relationship analysis one might expect if reading the notes from their marriage counselor, had there been one. Instead, this is essentially a slimmed-down biography on both Abigail and John Adams, beginning with their introduction to each other in 1759 (at the age of 24 for John, and 15 for Abigail) and terminating with John’s death on July 4, 1826. Although its theme clearly centers around this fascinating couple’s relationship, the reader is quite well-introduced to the broader political and social context of the era during the book’s 250 or so pages.
In fact, for someone with little previous knowledge of John Adams, his enormous contribution to the Continental Congress, his role as a diplomat and part-time financier in Europe, his eight years as vice president or his term as president, “First Family” provides almost as good an introduction to those years as much longer John Adams biographies. So although I had expected to come away with a much richer understanding of the John/Abigail relationship, any disappointment seems due to the earlier biographies being more thorough in their treatment of the relationship than I had expected. However, I was struck with how well this book not only analyzes their relationship, but also serves as a precis of John Adams’s life generally, giving short shrift only to the years before he and Abigail met.
Some reviewers have questioned Ellis’s commitment to leaving unsubstantiated opinions – disguised as fact – out of his text. While I was sensitive to this criticism, I saw little evidence that the worst fears of those critics filtered into this book. At several junctures, Ellis points out that “we can never know for sure…” and goes on to surmise what may have happened, may have been said or what someone may have felt on the basis of the author’s opinion. These occasions are clearly recognizable and leave the reader with ample caution to distinguish fact from presumption (or even fiction).
In addition, other reviewers have criticized the book for numerous minor errors it contains such as attributing incorrect dates to certain events, but where neither the date nor the event are critical to the story (such as the date of the end of the First Continental Congress). These shortcomings, where they do exist, are certainly troublesome – particularly to the historian and the more “academic” readers. That they may have come from the pen of a professor and noted author is even more unfortunate. But the average reader will likely find no quarrel with, nor even recognize, them.
Overall, “First Family: Abigail & John Adams” is a relatively short and remarkably interesting book. It serves not only as an introduction to the remarkable relationship between Abigail and John, but also as a summary of pre-revolutionary America, the revolutionary years (largely from the perspective of a member of Congress locked in a Philadelphia meeting room most of those years, then shipped to France to negotiate peace), and the first twelve years of the US presidency. Although this book is neither the best biography of John Adams, nor as extensively focused on John’s relationship with Abigail as I had wished, it does both quite well and in fewer pages than others.
For readers interested in exploring Abigail’s and John’s relationship in greater detail, two books I have not read but which have been highly recommended include Woody Holton’s “Abigail Adams�� and Edith Gelles’s “Abigail and John: Portrait of a Marriage”. They will appear on my bookshelves shortly (though reading them may have to wait for the presidential journey to first run its course).
Overall rating: 4¼ stars
March 19, 2011
i have to admit I was a little disappointed in Ellis' latest book about the Revolutionary Generation. I've read David McCullough's John Adams and Cokie Roberts' "Founding Mothers" and "Ladies of Liberty", and I found Ellis'depiction of the couple to be a bit different than what I had read. Frankly, I feel he doesn't give Abigail much credit. I left this book with the impression that she really pined for John when he was gone, as if she could barely function--and that doesn't match with what I've previously read. Sure, she missed him. I'm sure her letters were filled with longing, but he could not have made it as far as he did if she wasn't capable of running the family farm and finances.
What I did like was the perspective of them as a couple--this biography really was more about their relationship and partnership than it was about either one of them. It was an interesting perspective.
What I did like was the perspective of them as a couple--this biography really was more about their relationship and partnership than it was about either one of them. It was an interesting perspective.
June 2, 2022
This made me feel a lot of things for John and Abigail I didn't know I would (read as: I was boo hooing over them for many parts of it) and it's truly amazing the way these two documented their lives together (and they did it on purpose!!).
At the time of this book's publication, Adams family historians had spent 60 years looking over the letters and journals that these two had written about each other and were still not close to being through all of them.
Some of my favorite things from this book:
- One of John's earliest letters to Abigail he addressed her as "Miss Adorable".
- When John was away he wrote individual letters to each of his children, except for the youngest because the boy couldn't read. When Abigail was handing out letters and didn't have one for him, the boy broke down in tears, crying that "Papa didn't love him" the way he loved his other siblings. John felt horrible when Abigail told him and wrote a very long letter expressing to his son just how much he did loved him.
- Abigail calling out Jefferson for being a bad father to his daughters and got the feeling that that he would start being inappropriate with a young Sally Hemings.
- Honestly, most things about Abigail. Truly a woman ahead of her time.
- John's grief at Abigail's passing and living without her for 8 years and that he couldn't wait to be with her either in Heaven or under the ground.
At the time of this book's publication, Adams family historians had spent 60 years looking over the letters and journals that these two had written about each other and were still not close to being through all of them.
Some of my favorite things from this book:
- One of John's earliest letters to Abigail he addressed her as "Miss Adorable".
- When John was away he wrote individual letters to each of his children, except for the youngest because the boy couldn't read. When Abigail was handing out letters and didn't have one for him, the boy broke down in tears, crying that "Papa didn't love him" the way he loved his other siblings. John felt horrible when Abigail told him and wrote a very long letter expressing to his son just how much he did loved him.
- Abigail calling out Jefferson for being a bad father to his daughters and got the feeling that that he would start being inappropriate with a young Sally Hemings.
- Honestly, most things about Abigail. Truly a woman ahead of her time.
- John's grief at Abigail's passing and living without her for 8 years and that he couldn't wait to be with her either in Heaven or under the ground.
February 17, 2024
"The more one reads, the more one sees." - John Adams
I certainly am finding this to be true, and this book is no exception.
A friend of ours really enjoyed this book and borrowed it to us. I expected it to be interesting, but I did not expect to be so drawn in. It was easy to read and hard to put down.
It's a deceptively small book, but its chapters are moderately long and the font is somewhat smaller than average. It seemed to me that it was taking longer than usual to cover the pages, but I also realized along the way that I didn't mind spending over an hour at a time with each chapter, getting through about one a day for a week. I noticed that it held my interest and that I looked forward to coming back to it each day. I also noticed that there was hardly a chapter when I didn't close the book and just sit for a minute, usually after breathing out a sigh. What a time in history. What a weight to carry. What a whirlwind.
Like many, I find the period in which our nation was founded fascinating, and the more I learn about it the more I want to know. The little that I know so far I have come by rather casually and while this book isn't exhaustive, by any means, it informed me about so much and helpfully connected things that were floating in my mind in no man's land.
The book is primarily about John and Abigail, especially in the context of their correspondence. What I, at first, thought was sort of mediocre writing, now at the end seems to be rather surprising in that it conveyed so much meaning without the reader hardly having to work for it. What seemed kind of ordinary now strikes me as kind of sneakily brilliant, or at least skillful. Books built around old letters risk tedium, but this turned out to be a neatly written, compelling account that relied heavily on what could be gleaned from letters without getting bogged down in massive block quotes or even the language of the day that might make it harder to understand or feel.
The tradeoff to the ease of reading is that you know the author is doing more of the interpreting. But as this isn't meant to be the authority on either John or Abigail, I didn't mind hearing Ellis' take on their life and writings. Maybe I will get a different impression the more I read about them, but I found this to be a great way to get my feet wet and I was impressed to read in the back of the book that Ellis does all his own research, instead of using assistants.
The book is divided up into eight different periods of time, starting on 1759 and ending in 1826. I really appreciated how taking it in chunks like this helped me to grasp what was happening in their lives and in the development of the country at the time, a juxtaposition he refers to often.
There are actually several themes like that are referred to often, like how Abigail's work at home mirrored John's work in the heart of the revolution, the self consciousness of their writing (taking pains to preserve their letters for the historical record), the paradigm of proximity (the fact that we know more about the times when they were apart because it's when they had need of writing to each other), and John's desire for an prestige and veneration. Some of these felt a little repetitive, but I suppose it makes sense that when you're dealing with real people, themes emerge that must be acknowledged again and again.
One of these was the observation that John was driven (to extremes) to secure a honored place in history. I wondered often throughout the book if the sacrifices he made (leaving his wife and children for many months at a time, almost five years at the longest) and his seemingly constant need for recognition and the space to accomplish something great were truly required for the freedom and independence we still enjoy. His family suffered in many ways and it's hard to understand how he could have believed so earnestly that it was worth it. And yet - what an amazingly unique time in history to be alive and equipped to make such a difference. It's certainly a dilemma that I don't expect to solve anytime soon.
One of the things I most appreciated about this book was coming away with a glimpse of how human John and Abigail (and Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, etc.) were. Their writing offers great insight into their character as well as their anxieties, tempers, pride, joy, ambition and so much more. I realized just a little more of how susceptible they were to the same things that plague people today. It was evident, also, that people with great minds and high ideals disagreed then as they do now.
I learned a lot about this time in history, these people in our illustrious past and about human nature in general. This disarming and accessible book made me both sad and proud, and it piqued my interest for more!
I certainly am finding this to be true, and this book is no exception.
A friend of ours really enjoyed this book and borrowed it to us. I expected it to be interesting, but I did not expect to be so drawn in. It was easy to read and hard to put down.
It's a deceptively small book, but its chapters are moderately long and the font is somewhat smaller than average. It seemed to me that it was taking longer than usual to cover the pages, but I also realized along the way that I didn't mind spending over an hour at a time with each chapter, getting through about one a day for a week. I noticed that it held my interest and that I looked forward to coming back to it each day. I also noticed that there was hardly a chapter when I didn't close the book and just sit for a minute, usually after breathing out a sigh. What a time in history. What a weight to carry. What a whirlwind.
Like many, I find the period in which our nation was founded fascinating, and the more I learn about it the more I want to know. The little that I know so far I have come by rather casually and while this book isn't exhaustive, by any means, it informed me about so much and helpfully connected things that were floating in my mind in no man's land.
The book is primarily about John and Abigail, especially in the context of their correspondence. What I, at first, thought was sort of mediocre writing, now at the end seems to be rather surprising in that it conveyed so much meaning without the reader hardly having to work for it. What seemed kind of ordinary now strikes me as kind of sneakily brilliant, or at least skillful. Books built around old letters risk tedium, but this turned out to be a neatly written, compelling account that relied heavily on what could be gleaned from letters without getting bogged down in massive block quotes or even the language of the day that might make it harder to understand or feel.
The tradeoff to the ease of reading is that you know the author is doing more of the interpreting. But as this isn't meant to be the authority on either John or Abigail, I didn't mind hearing Ellis' take on their life and writings. Maybe I will get a different impression the more I read about them, but I found this to be a great way to get my feet wet and I was impressed to read in the back of the book that Ellis does all his own research, instead of using assistants.
The book is divided up into eight different periods of time, starting on 1759 and ending in 1826. I really appreciated how taking it in chunks like this helped me to grasp what was happening in their lives and in the development of the country at the time, a juxtaposition he refers to often.
There are actually several themes like that are referred to often, like how Abigail's work at home mirrored John's work in the heart of the revolution, the self consciousness of their writing (taking pains to preserve their letters for the historical record), the paradigm of proximity (the fact that we know more about the times when they were apart because it's when they had need of writing to each other), and John's desire for an prestige and veneration. Some of these felt a little repetitive, but I suppose it makes sense that when you're dealing with real people, themes emerge that must be acknowledged again and again.
One of these was the observation that John was driven (to extremes) to secure a honored place in history. I wondered often throughout the book if the sacrifices he made (leaving his wife and children for many months at a time, almost five years at the longest) and his seemingly constant need for recognition and the space to accomplish something great were truly required for the freedom and independence we still enjoy. His family suffered in many ways and it's hard to understand how he could have believed so earnestly that it was worth it. And yet - what an amazingly unique time in history to be alive and equipped to make such a difference. It's certainly a dilemma that I don't expect to solve anytime soon.
One of the things I most appreciated about this book was coming away with a glimpse of how human John and Abigail (and Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, etc.) were. Their writing offers great insight into their character as well as their anxieties, tempers, pride, joy, ambition and so much more. I realized just a little more of how susceptible they were to the same things that plague people today. It was evident, also, that people with great minds and high ideals disagreed then as they do now.
I learned a lot about this time in history, these people in our illustrious past and about human nature in general. This disarming and accessible book made me both sad and proud, and it piqued my interest for more!
September 27, 2012
Let me preface by saying that I am a complete newb at American History. As such this was my first journey into a detailed account of our Founding Fathers and the machinations (both domestic and foreign) that lead to the creation of the United States of America, under one Federal consistution, that we have today.
With that caveat in place I have to say I enjoyed this book very much. Unlike the more historical fictional "John Adams" books this one reads a little more academic. Its much the same story line (so I'm told as John Adams and the other books like it are on my "to-read" not "read" list)but its culled from the extensive letters that were exchanged during Abigail and John's lives, complete with copious citations and footnotes for those that want to know more. The author, Joseph Ellis, read through all 1,000+ letters between the Adams' family members, supplemented it with historical fact and presented a lovely portrait of how America went from a British Colony to its current government structure. While the story always stays square on the shoulders of the Adams' it is amusing to learn how they intersected with other American greats - Jefferson, Franklin, etc.
For many this may be a rehash, but to me it was informative and educational all while being just entertaining enough to finish. I gave it three stars rather than four because I feel that the fourth star would have been added more as a fact of my own enlightenment of a major gap in my education rather than the book istelf.
Happy Reading :)
With that caveat in place I have to say I enjoyed this book very much. Unlike the more historical fictional "John Adams" books this one reads a little more academic. Its much the same story line (so I'm told as John Adams and the other books like it are on my "to-read" not "read" list)but its culled from the extensive letters that were exchanged during Abigail and John's lives, complete with copious citations and footnotes for those that want to know more. The author, Joseph Ellis, read through all 1,000+ letters between the Adams' family members, supplemented it with historical fact and presented a lovely portrait of how America went from a British Colony to its current government structure. While the story always stays square on the shoulders of the Adams' it is amusing to learn how they intersected with other American greats - Jefferson, Franklin, etc.
For many this may be a rehash, but to me it was informative and educational all while being just entertaining enough to finish. I gave it three stars rather than four because I feel that the fourth star would have been added more as a fact of my own enlightenment of a major gap in my education rather than the book istelf.
Happy Reading :)
June 5, 2016
I love the books of Joseph Ellis and this one did not disappoint me. I've read a couple of biographies of John Adams and this read more like an historical novel rather than a biography. Of course it helps that half of the subject matter is John Adams' better half, Abigail. She's definitely one of the first feminists. Her partnership with her husband would be incredible at any time but was truly amazing in the 1700s.
John Adams political career has of course been well documented. What makes this book special is that it tells us more than just the historical facts. Ellis discusses John Adams' thoughts and feelings regarding the events going on around him, through the letters that he sent to Abigail and to his son, John Quincy. It's fascinating to be able to know an historical figure so well, especially one who was willing to admit and talk about his own faults.
This is definitely a book worth reading for those interested in the founding of America and interested in the very human men who founded the United States.
John Adams political career has of course been well documented. What makes this book special is that it tells us more than just the historical facts. Ellis discusses John Adams' thoughts and feelings regarding the events going on around him, through the letters that he sent to Abigail and to his son, John Quincy. It's fascinating to be able to know an historical figure so well, especially one who was willing to admit and talk about his own faults.
This is definitely a book worth reading for those interested in the founding of America and interested in the very human men who founded the United States.
October 18, 2011
Probably the best biography I've come across. Both John and Abigail Adams are singular in American History because of the volume of correspondence which they wrote and kept over the span of 40 plus years. Their insights about the Revolutionary era-(as well as both pre and post) and their well-chosen words make each letter a sparkling gem, putting the current generations' use of gangster talk and text lingo to shame.
Ellis as a researcher writer kept his objectivity throughout the book, both praising accomplishments and laying blame when data called for it. The book was very interesting and the author so humanized John and Abigail one hardly remembered it was non-fiction. He so skillfully interplayed the primary sources (letters)into the events of the Revolution, as well as showing the great struggle afterwards as patriots faced major disagreements on how the new Republic should be established. The Blanding Library has an audio version--which I listed to while sewing. Loved the book!
Ellis as a researcher writer kept his objectivity throughout the book, both praising accomplishments and laying blame when data called for it. The book was very interesting and the author so humanized John and Abigail one hardly remembered it was non-fiction. He so skillfully interplayed the primary sources (letters)into the events of the Revolution, as well as showing the great struggle afterwards as patriots faced major disagreements on how the new Republic should be established. The Blanding Library has an audio version--which I listed to while sewing. Loved the book!
November 20, 2010
A very fine work. This book focuses on Abigail and John Adams, and traces their lives together. In the process, we come also to learn about other leaders of the time from the Adams' perspective. John and Abigail were parents of four children, three of whom led rather tragic lives. One one child--John Quincy Adams--became president himself. The book examines the strains on their marriage--his service away from home in Congress or in Europe. The book speaks of John's temperamental peculiarities, which sometimes caused him trouble. Other features: His role as president; the rekindling of a friendship with Thomas Jefferson aftert thew two had become hostile toward one another.
A fine work indeed. . . .
A fine work indeed. . . .
October 1, 2011
I love John and Abigail Adams. Their letters to each other were so rich, lucid, smart, loving, and astounding. They had their flaws. Especially John. I enjoy reading about that. Peeking into people's private lives makes them more real, more approachable. And it gives me hope.
This quote from John made me laugh really really loud:
"Let it once be revealed or demonstrated that there is no future state, and my advice to every man, woman, and child would be, as our existence would be in our own power, to take opium."
Delightful book.
This quote from John made me laugh really really loud:
"Let it once be revealed or demonstrated that there is no future state, and my advice to every man, woman, and child would be, as our existence would be in our own power, to take opium."
Delightful book.
December 18, 2023
Highly recommended. An intimate, revealing account of the Adams' marriage and life.
July 31, 2019
Excellent biography of John Adams, with emphasis on his relationship with his wife, Abigail, but also with the rest of his family, and his contemporaries, such as Jefferson, Washington, Franklin, and Hamilton. The book traces his life from the early beginnings of our fight for independence, through his presidency, and on to his post political retirement years. In one of the most unbelievable and coincidental events in history, both Adams and Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Adams is probably the least celebrated of our founding fathers. Why is there no monument to him in Washington D.C.? Perhaps it is because it was hard to outshine Washington, the general who led our fight for independence, and our first president. And it was hard to outshine Jefferson, the prolific author of the Declaration of Independence. Perhaps it was because of his bombastic personality. Regardless of the reason, it is time that we recognize Adams in the same stature as Washington and Jefferson.
October 7, 2018
I've been reading biographies of the Presidents in order. I am working on Martin Van Buren, but took time to go back and read this book. Abigail and John Adams correspondence concerned the events that framed the Revolution, writing of the Constitution, and the founding of the country. It is so interesting to read about these events through the eyes of Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson and then step back and review them. I have recognized that all biographers become sympathetic to their subject and draw a different picture of the same events than another biographer. Adams hated Hamilton and fell out with Jefferson after a strong friendship was established when they were both in Europe. Jefferson stabbed him in the back during Adam's presidency, but they re-established their friendship later in life. If you read a biography of Hamilton, Jefferson and Adams were both out of line. I'm learning so much about American history and the nature of biography, and human nature.
April 24, 2019
This was a bit of a slog, though there were some real highlights. I learned a lot about John Adams and less about Abigail. I think I wanted the book to be a bit more gossipy than it was. There were some juicy moments, like Abigail’s letters to Thomas Jefferson admonishing him for his terrible parenting and both Adams’ being a bit obsessed with status. Also that John wanted to call new president George Washington “his majesty” or “your highness,” instead of “Mr. President.” And that John sulked for days when son John Quincy Adams named his first born after George Washington instead of him. Through these tidbits, one gets a sense of an ambitious and dedicated power couple, vulnerable to many of their own imperfections while also being devoted to a self-imposed sense of duty and desire for fame. The research behind this book was quite impressive—the work of combing through the thousands of Adams’ letters alone was incredible. It was just a little too John and not enough Abigail.
November 7, 2024
One of the most essential things for any historian who studies the founding era of America should be to read up on all the key figures. As someone who focuses mainly on Thomas Jefferson, it is also critical to understand the surrounding issues and people that directly affect his life. The Adams have always left a lasting mark on American history as one of the strongest political teams, as a married couple they are present in many important scenarios. This book highlights their lives, separately and together, and delves into personal issues through their writings. I loved reading a book on the Adams that also talked a lot about Abigail and her opinions in a world designed for her to be a pawn and nothing more; she decided to be a key player and became her husband's biggest supporter.
March 7, 2018
The first part of the book was sluggish for me, probably more because Mr.Adams’ work overseas was less interesting for me than what was accomplished on American soil. After that, it became a faster read and I was grateful for Mrs. Adams’ perspective on the many facets of her life and that of her family. But throughout the book, my interest was always held to how the personalities of other prominent historical men came alive in these pages as well. A very good read!
May 12, 2019
This was a fun, interesting biography of one of the most important couples in the history of the US. The author focused on telling the story of the Adams' partnership as was revealed in their letters to one another. As a result, we are given a privileged view into a fascinating period of history and incredibly intelligent people.
December 24, 2012
This book offers a fascinating look into the lives, ambitions, and marriage of one of the foremost families of the Revolution era. I found it to be particularly fascinating because it isn't just a re-telling of their life - it offered a sort of "behind-the-scenes" look into their thoughts, attitudes, and motives through use of their copious amounts of letters and journals. As the reader, you aren't just walking through the events of their life, you're journeying into their heart. I also found the book to be very well-written - the words and thoughts flow so nicely together that it made reading both easy and very stimulating.
The book is about 250 pages with only seven chapters - so needless to say, the chapters can be lengthy. There are quite a few sub-headings in each chapter though so it's fairly easy to find a good stopping point. I haven't done much reading or studying on this family of the Revolution so I was very interested to learn more about them and they era they lived through.
One of the main currents of the book (because it was also the main current of their lives) was the preoccupation with fame. John Adams didn't care to have spiritual goals or be consumed with the pursuit of wealth.
"Mere worldly success in terms of wealth was never enough for him; indeed, it was actually dangerous, since wealth inevitably corrupted men and nations by undermining the disciplined habits that produced the wealth in the first place. Making wealth your primary goal, as he saw it, was symptomatic of a second-rate mind destined to die rich but unfulfilled."
Instead of pursuing wealth, John wanted fame. He wanted to be acknowledged as one of the key leaders of the Revolution and founding of this new country. He adamantly considered himself to be such and took issue with anyone who tried to lessen or demean his impact on history. He spent his entire life grasping after what he never could attain - partially because his reputation was damaged by self-centered, egotistical pursuit of his own fame. That passion also took a turn into angry, almost malicious writing when he came across people who either stood in his way or demeaned his impact on society. On his "villians" list were such notable persons as Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson. (though he later reconciled with Jefferson near the end of his life)
It was sad to see his relationship with his children. He was away most of their formative years and without the benefit of modern communication, they lacked a strong bond and friendship. His children lacked his fatherly guidance through much of their young lives. His two younger sons, though showing early promise, ended their lives in dissolution and lost to alcoholism. All the weight of carrying on both his father's mantle of fame and the great family name and legacy rode on the shoulders of their oldest son, John Quincy. Ironically, late in his life, the elder John Adams tried to dissuade his son from following in his footsteps that had led to such turmoil and dissatisfaction - but by then it was too late.
I found the look into Abigail Adam's life quite intriguing. She wasn't confined to society's views of women. She was very educated and well-read for her day and she kept up with and understood politics better than most men of her day. She was an apt helpmate for John, readily able to understand and discuss any policy or opinion of the day. They were true partners together. She also tempered his personality when they were together - she knew how to handle his rantings and oftentimes overly-hard pursuit of fame and a good name. At the same time, Abigail fully embraced her role as wife and mother. She readily accepted her domestic duties and had to run both the family and her household and farm while John was away. At the same time, she never lost her opinionated mind or her personal independence that led her to do things her own way and not always be dictated to by society. While her parenting may not have been the best and her family later fell apart, I found her ability to fully embrace her roles as homemaker and wife while still retaining her personal opinions and individuality to be a great example.
My favorite quote from the book came from Abigail Adams.
"My pen is always freer than my tongue, for I have written many things to you that I suppose I never would have talked."
As an introverted, reflective person that quote really resonated with me. I've often said similar things. If I didn't have the ability to communicate through written word, there would be a lot that I would simply find very difficult or impossible to communicate. For some reason it's easier to write than to talk for me. So I enjoyed that quote - I'm going to have to put it somewhere!
In ending, I really enjoyed this book. It goes much deeper than regular biographies by digging into who they really were and why they were like that while at the same time giving you plenty of information about all the various events that were taking place and shaping their lives. It was a fascinating look into John and Abigail's life and the Revolutionary era and beyond that they helped mold. I would highly recommend this book.
The book is about 250 pages with only seven chapters - so needless to say, the chapters can be lengthy. There are quite a few sub-headings in each chapter though so it's fairly easy to find a good stopping point. I haven't done much reading or studying on this family of the Revolution so I was very interested to learn more about them and they era they lived through.
One of the main currents of the book (because it was also the main current of their lives) was the preoccupation with fame. John Adams didn't care to have spiritual goals or be consumed with the pursuit of wealth.
"Mere worldly success in terms of wealth was never enough for him; indeed, it was actually dangerous, since wealth inevitably corrupted men and nations by undermining the disciplined habits that produced the wealth in the first place. Making wealth your primary goal, as he saw it, was symptomatic of a second-rate mind destined to die rich but unfulfilled."
Instead of pursuing wealth, John wanted fame. He wanted to be acknowledged as one of the key leaders of the Revolution and founding of this new country. He adamantly considered himself to be such and took issue with anyone who tried to lessen or demean his impact on history. He spent his entire life grasping after what he never could attain - partially because his reputation was damaged by self-centered, egotistical pursuit of his own fame. That passion also took a turn into angry, almost malicious writing when he came across people who either stood in his way or demeaned his impact on society. On his "villians" list were such notable persons as Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson. (though he later reconciled with Jefferson near the end of his life)
It was sad to see his relationship with his children. He was away most of their formative years and without the benefit of modern communication, they lacked a strong bond and friendship. His children lacked his fatherly guidance through much of their young lives. His two younger sons, though showing early promise, ended their lives in dissolution and lost to alcoholism. All the weight of carrying on both his father's mantle of fame and the great family name and legacy rode on the shoulders of their oldest son, John Quincy. Ironically, late in his life, the elder John Adams tried to dissuade his son from following in his footsteps that had led to such turmoil and dissatisfaction - but by then it was too late.
I found the look into Abigail Adam's life quite intriguing. She wasn't confined to society's views of women. She was very educated and well-read for her day and she kept up with and understood politics better than most men of her day. She was an apt helpmate for John, readily able to understand and discuss any policy or opinion of the day. They were true partners together. She also tempered his personality when they were together - she knew how to handle his rantings and oftentimes overly-hard pursuit of fame and a good name. At the same time, Abigail fully embraced her role as wife and mother. She readily accepted her domestic duties and had to run both the family and her household and farm while John was away. At the same time, she never lost her opinionated mind or her personal independence that led her to do things her own way and not always be dictated to by society. While her parenting may not have been the best and her family later fell apart, I found her ability to fully embrace her roles as homemaker and wife while still retaining her personal opinions and individuality to be a great example.
My favorite quote from the book came from Abigail Adams.
"My pen is always freer than my tongue, for I have written many things to you that I suppose I never would have talked."
As an introverted, reflective person that quote really resonated with me. I've often said similar things. If I didn't have the ability to communicate through written word, there would be a lot that I would simply find very difficult or impossible to communicate. For some reason it's easier to write than to talk for me. So I enjoyed that quote - I'm going to have to put it somewhere!
In ending, I really enjoyed this book. It goes much deeper than regular biographies by digging into who they really were and why they were like that while at the same time giving you plenty of information about all the various events that were taking place and shaping their lives. It was a fascinating look into John and Abigail's life and the Revolutionary era and beyond that they helped mold. I would highly recommend this book.
January 1, 2023
This was a good read though it seemed to lack a flow in the prose. I did get an idea of the two and their relationship but sometimes it felt kind of plodding.
February 5, 2025
Well written. This Southern more exciting founding fathers but I enjoyed this.
March 29, 2023
Excellent work! I was sad to finish this book! Joseph Ellis, the author, was first recommended to me by a passionate national park ranger, and I found his suggestion to be surprising, as well as pleasantly accurate! Ellis’s narrative of one of the most influential founding families has left me both with a lot to ponder and also interested in other Joe Ellis works. Thank you!
January 1, 2020
Good but slow
I enjoyed this book but it took way too long to read. I got bored at times and had to force myself through the pre-president chapters. The chapters are a bit long. I prefer shorter chapters. However the last few chapters, I couldn’t put the book down.
I enjoyed this book but it took way too long to read. I got bored at times and had to force myself through the pre-president chapters. The chapters are a bit long. I prefer shorter chapters. However the last few chapters, I couldn’t put the book down.
September 22, 2019
I enjoyed reading it was well researched and well written I would recommend it 👍
April 9, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It is not only a sweet love story , but a fascinating account of their contributions to the formation of our country. Abigail and John Adams are relatable as human beings with real faults while at the same time being incredibly inspiring and interesting people.
November 15, 2020
A wonderful, well written book about the incredible marriage between 2 of America's leading Revolutionary thinkers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 433 reviews