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US President Bios

2: John Adams


Recommended Book

John Adams
by David McCullough
I recommend starting with "John Adams" by David McCullough. This Pulitzer Prize-winning biography is widely acclaimed for its comprehensive and detailed exploration of Adams' life and legacy.

McCullough's book stands out for its narrative style that makes historical events and figures come alive. The author delves deeply into Adams' role as a Founding Father, diplomat, and president, offering a vivid portrayal of his personal and political life. McCullough's extensive research draws upon a wealth of letters and diaries, particularly the correspondence between Adams and his wife, Abigail, shedding light on their remarkable partnership and its impact on Adams' career and the early years of the United States.

What makes this book particularly appealing is its balanced view of Adams. McCullough presents Adams not just as a historical figure but as a complex individual with ambitions, doubts, and flaws. This humanizing approach provides readers with a nuanced understanding of Adams' contributions and challenges, making the book a great starting point for anyone interested in the early history of the United States and the life of its second president.

752 pages, published 2002

John Adams (The American Presidents Series, No. 2)

by John Patrick Diggins, Arthur M. Schlesinger

200 pages, published 2003

John Adams: Party of One

by James Grant

544 pages, published 2006

John Adams: A Life

by John Ferling

544 pages, published 2001

Adams vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800

by John Ferling

288 pages, published 2005

First Family: Abigail and John Adams

by Joseph J. Ellis

320 pages, published 2010

Passionate Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams

by Joseph J. Ellis

277 pages, published 2001

Friends Divided: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson

by Gordon Wood

503 pages, published 2017

John Adams: The Writer: A Treasury of Letters, Diaries, and Public Documents

by Nancy Plain

207 pages, published 2007