Book Review: John Adams

Photo by Edward Ortiz

It really gives me a lot of joy when I start reading a book to learn about a particular subject and discover something I wasn’t expecting. That is exactly what happened with the biography of John Adams written by Page Smith.

I’m setting a goal to read the biographies of the Founding Fathers of this country and decided to begin with Page Smith’s two-volume series John Adams, first published in 1962. From what I read during my research, this work set the standard for biographies of our second president.

John Adams was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, a delegate to the Continental Congress, Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court, the first U.S. minister to the Netherlands and Great Britain, the first Vice President of the United States, and ultimately President in 1797. After reading his biography and learning more about his life and qualifications, it’s not surprising that he achieved so much.

What I was not expecting was to learn how extraordinary Abigail Adams was, and the respect she earned from many of the key figures involved in the founding of the United States. Many sought her advice over the years, and she built strong friendships—including one with Thomas Jefferson, this country’s third president.

This two-volume biography, totaling 1,138 pages, covers the years 1735–1784 in volume one, focusing on John Adams’s formative years, education at Harvard, and early career as a lawyer. It highlights his involvement in colonial politics, his leadership in the Continental Congress, and his critical role in advocating for independence. This volume also details his time as a diplomat in Europe.

The second volume, 1784–1826, focuses on Adams’s post-revolutionary life, his time as the first Vice President under George Washington, and his presidency from 1797 to 1801. It also offers insights into his personal life, particularly his relationship with his wife, Abigail Adams, and their correspondence, which provides a clear view of their partnership and character. This is the part I enjoyed the most—it brought to light the remarkable life of Mrs. Adams.

Here are some highlights: (There are many details about John Adams’s work on the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the early years of the republic—most of which are widely known. So my highlights focus instead on what I learned about him and his family.)

John Adams was a highly educated man. His entrance exam to Harvard required him to translate, on the spot, a passage from English to Latin. He was admitted at the age of 16. (p. 14)

One of his principal preoccupations as a young man was theology, wavering between skepticism and Deism on one side and Calvinist orthodoxy on the other. He disliked the disciplines and rituals of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches. In his diary he wrote:

“Do we find a precept in the Gospel requiring Ecclesiastical Synods? Convocations? Councils, Decrees? Creeds? Confessions? Oaths? Subscriptions? and whole cart-loads of other trumpery that we find religion encumbered with in these days?” (p. 29)

Francis Dana was appointed by Congress to be minister to the Russian Court. “John Adams decided to send his thirteen-year-old son, John Quincy, to St. Petersburg as Dana’s private secretary.” (p. 505) At that young age, John Quincy already displayed remarkable intellectual ability. Of course, this was the beginning of a career that would lead to his becoming the sixth president of the United States.

Their daily routine in France caught my attention:

“Together the family sat down to a sturdy New England breakfast, salted with lively conversation. After breakfast John retired to read and write, Abigail to darn stockings or sew, Nabby (their daughter) to her own room to translate Telemachus from French to English, John Quincy to his Tacitus and Horace. At twelve Adams put down his books and papers, took his cane, and set out for a brisk walk. While he was gone the ladies had their hair dressed and took the occasion to practice their French on Pauline. John was always back by two when the family dined and, after lunch, more properly dinner, they went their separate ways. Adams often walked the mile to Passy to confer with Franklin and Jefferson; Abigail generally visited John Quincy to chat or have him read aloud to her. Nabby usually joined them… The afternoons were short, and a bell soon summoned them all to tea, an American ritual which they faithfully observed. As soon as tea was over and the table cleared, it was covered with mathematical instruments and books… you heard nothing until nine o’clock but theorems and problems… Father and son made their way systematically through geometry, eight books of Euclid in Latin, through plain trigonometry, through algebra… After the lesson the gentlemen often joined the ladies in a game of whist ‘to relieve their brains,’ and the family retired to bed at ten.” (pp. 605–606)

“Sunday he gave faithfully to the Church, morning and afternoon, and to reading and reflection on the Christian faith.” (p. 896)

The biographer observed:

“Adams was a superior politician only in the sense that he had a philosophy which provided an excellent basis for political analysis and a long experience in observing the ‘spring of human action,’ which is to say men’s motives. But he invariably displayed a stiff-necked and often unrealistic rectitude which inhibited the most effective political action.” (p. 1029)

Towards the end, the biographer stated: “His reading and his reflection made Adams more and more plainly Unitarian. He rejected the notion of the Trinity as superstition…” (p. 1078)

“Adams professed to see a pattern in party politics… one party, representing the more conservative side, would hold power for about twelve years, followed by ‘an entire change in the administration,’ with the more radical side taking over for a similar period. ‘Our government will be a game of leapfrog of factions, leaping over one another’s back about once in twelve years according to my computation,’ he predicted.” (p. 1079)

“It was extremism that Adams considered the greatest threat to free government. He had seen it in various forms and found it uniformly destructive: ‘The fanaticism of honor, …loyalty,… republicanism, …aristocracy,… democracy,… Catholicism, and Protestantism…’” (p. 1080)

“At six on the evening of July 4, 1826, rundown, ‘like an old watch,’ as he put it, the proud and passionate heart ceased to beat. At Monticello, five hundred miles away, Thomas Jefferson had preceded his friend to ‘the great and solemn event’ by just a few hours… the last two great surviving figures of the American Revolution had both died on the Fourth of July, exactly fifty years after the Declaration of Independence.” (p. 1137)

As I said at the start, I learned a great deal about Abigail Adams. She played a powerful role in John Adams’s life and in the lives of many others who called her a friend. Here are a few of the things that really stood out to me:

Regarding some correspondence between John and Abigail in which he was commenting on education and the philosophy of men,

“Abigail replied by reminding him that those who suffered most severely from the inadequacies of the existing system were the women of the United Colonies. She dared to hope that ‘some more liberal plan might be laid and executed for the benefit of the rising generation… if we mean to have heroes, statesmen, and philosophers,’ she wrote, ‘we should have learned women.’ ‘Your sentiments of the importance of education in women are exactly agreeable to my own,’ Adams replied. ‘In history there was hardly an instance of a great man who did not have about him some unusual woman, mother, wife, or sister, to whom, in a large measure, he owed his eminence.’” (pp. 221–222)

“To Adams’s hint that the cruelties practiced by the British on their American prisoners should bring retribution, Abigail replied by quoting Tillotson on revenge and adding, ‘If our cause is just, it will be best supported by justice and righteousness. Though we have many other crimes to answer for, that of cruelty to our enemies is not chargeable upon Americans, and I hope never will be.’” (p. 326)

“Her own courage never wavered. ‘We possess a spirit that will not be conquered,’ she wrote John. ‘If our men are all drawn off and we should be attacked, you would find a race of Amazons in America.’ If the men of America tried to negotiate a peace with Howe (the British Commander during the American Revolution), ‘an army of women would oppose him.’ When the Saracens turned their backs to the enemy, she reminded him, they were slain by their women.” (p. 335)

“Abigail thoroughly enjoyed the company of witty and intelligent men. She was conscious of her ability to meet them on their own terms without any concessions for her sex (among her feminine acquaintances perhaps only Mercy Warren was her intellectual equal). For Abigail, conversation was the most exciting and rewarding pastime, dear to her because, in addition to being inspired play, it was improving and moral.” (p. 336)

“When Abigail heard that Congress had voted to maintain a regular army, she broke down and wept. ‘To behold my countrymen who had so nobly fought and bled for freedom, tarnishing their glory, losing the bonds of society, introducing anarchy, confusion, and despotism, forging domestic chains for posterity,’ was almost more than she could bear. Had all the sacrifice, all the suffering been in vain? Were the hopes and dreams of a great democratic republic mere illusions? Were the cynics right, that only force and coercion could suppress the evil propensities in man?” (p. 688)

An interaction between Abigail and a neighbor, Mr. Faxon, regarding a little boy named James, whom Abigail sent to school, is worth quoting in its entirety.

“Soon after James had been entered in the school, ‘Neighbor Faxon’ requested a word with Abigail. If James persisted in going to the school, he declared, the school would break up because the other lads would not attend with a Negro. ‘Pray, Mr. Faxon,’ Abigail had asked with disarming blandness, ‘has the boy misbehaved?’ ‘Oh no! it wasn’t that,’ replied the discomfited Faxon. ‘It was just…’ ‘Well, they don’t object to going to church or to dances with James or to playing with him. Why should there be objections to going to school with him?’ Faxon assured her that he, personally, had no objections. It was others who had objected. ‘What others?’ Abigail asked a little tartly. ‘If it is the “others” who object, why didn’t they come, then?’ At this, Faxon could only look confused and unhappy, and Abigail pressed her advantage. ‘This, Mr. Faxon,’ she declared, ‘is attacking the principle of liberty and equality upon the only grounds upon which it ought to be supported, an equality of rights.’ James was a freeman as much as any of the young men, and a black face should not bar him from instruction. How else indeed was he to be prepared to make a living? ‘Oh, ma’am, you are quite right,’ Faxon blurted out, anxious only to be out of the house and gone. ‘I hope you won’t take any offense.’ ‘None at all, Mr. Faxon. Only be so good as to send the young men to me… I have not thought it any disgrace to myself to take him into my parlor and teach him both to read and write. Tell them, Mr. Faxon… I hope we shall all go to heaven together.’ At this final sally, Faxon laughed and made good his escape, and Abigail heard no more of the matter.” (p. 926)

“Always a poor sleeper and constantly ailing, she usually rose at five o’clock; the hours between five and eight were invaluable to her. She prayed and read, wrote letters, or simply savored the slow rising of light, a time inviolate, full of peace, the silence gently broken by the sounds of the house coming to life.” (p. 936)

“As soon as she could get about, she bought a book of moral precepts for her niece, Abby Peabody, the infant daughter of Eliza and her second husband, the Reverend Stephen Peabody. Reading it over before she sent it, she discovered that it accorded women a subordinate role in the world. She sent a cautionary note to her sister along with the book: ‘I will never,’ she wrote, ‘consent to have our sex considered in an inferior point of light. Let each planet shine in their own orbit. God and nature designed it so, if man is Lord, woman is Lordess, that is what I contend for.’” (pp. 1005–1006)

“As the weeks passed, Abigail wavered in her preference for Jefferson. She found it hard to reconcile herself to seeing as President of the United States a man who was, by his own admission, not a Christian. ‘He believes religion only useful as it may be made a political engine,’ she wrote. ‘In short he is not a believer in the Christian system.’ Despite this, ‘her long acquaintance, private friendship… and full belief’ in the Virginian’s personal integrity made her prefer him to Burr.” (pp. 1060–1061)

The recommendations I read were right—this biography is excellent. Its strength lies in the author’s ability to tell the story of John Adams in a way that’s both informative and entertaining. The use of original sources, especially the correspondence between John and Abigail, gives readers a window not only into their lives but also into their friendship with Thomas Jefferson. It also provides rich insight into what the country endured as the founders worked on the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the establishment of the federal government. If you want to read a John Adams biography, this is the one I’d recommend.

87 thoughts on “Book Review: John Adams”

  5. Thanks for the thoughtful review, Edward. I’ve watched the John Adams HBO series a few times and loved how well it was done. I just ordered the book, so I’m all in now and excited to dive deeper into the Adams family!

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    1. You’re welcome, Robin, and I agree with you about the series, it was well done. Very cool that you ordered the book. I think you’re going to find the story of Abigail’s correspondence with a particular friend very interesting.

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  6. Great review/article. This looks like something my husband would really enjoy – he’s read several Winston Churchill related/authored books including a 2 volume bio of Winston Churchill so length is not an issue! He has his own listings of American President bios he’s read, but I don’t think this is one of them. Thanks for the possible gift idea!

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  7. A few years ago, I read a biography on Adams, but I’m not sure it’s the same one you read, Edward. I have also been reading about our founding fathers and the women, as well. I know I have much to learn about our history. I was disappointed in Jefferson that he never freed his beloved Sally or their children. And I recently watched the series on PBS on the Roosevelts. Incredibly complicated family. I am still thinking about Eleanor and Franklin.

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    1. Jefferson is the next one I’m going to read because of what you mentioned. I purchased his biography at the Printers Row Lit Fest for three bucks. I’m looking forward to reading about that relationship. At some point, I think I’m going to read one about the Roosevelts. He was president for so long that his life has got to be an interesting one. I’ve read bits and pieces from the books I have about WWII, but I want to learn a bit more.

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  8. I’m sorry to have taken so long to respond to this excellent book review, Edward. This book is a longtime favorite of mine, as are John and Abigail Adams. It was reading that book that made me realize the roots of the New England values I was raised with. I came to realize that these were not necessarily U.S.-wide values. John Adams remains one of my heroes.

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    1. Thank you, Jane, and you are absolutely right. The values of John Adams and others from that era are not widespread in the U.S. Our politicians keep talking about the founding fathers, saying they were pro this or that, so now that I’m a bit older, I decided to read the founding fathers’ own words to see if today’s narrative matches theirs. So far, all I can say is that the founding fathers would be ashamed of both our parties.

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    1. I knew the basics about him before I read this book. There’s so much talk in this country about the founding fathers that I decided to read their biographies to learn their thoughts and compare them with what people are saying now. Thank you for reading, Robbie.

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  10. What an intriguing recommendation, Edward. It was interesting to read about John’s family, and his relationship with Abigail. So much to learn from reading this biography. And Abigail sounded like the kind of woman needed to advocate for all women. Thanks for sharing this in depth review.

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  11. Whenever anyone asks me about my preferred reading genres, I tell them that I’d be classified by many as a boring reader, because my preferred genres are: history, autobiographical, and how to’s. I’ve always considered reading time to be at a premium, so I prefer to read something I can learn from. It sounds a bit the same for you, Edward.

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    1. Absolutely, Terry. Reading is so important to me that I take time selecting what I’m going to read, and my enjoyment is based on the number of notes I write in my reading notebook. It sounds a little nerdy, but that’s how I retain information. I’d say about 95% of what I read is non-fiction, focused on history, leadership, religion, and social issues. Reading to learn is just awesome.

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  14. Oh my. So much to love here, Edward. I found myself struggling with wet eyes when I read about the exchange between Abigail and her neighbor, Mr. Faxon, about James. Endearing and just – her advocacy, heart and point of view – but the recognition of how little progress we’ve truly made since her time? Shocking, really. Thank you so much for your work in bringing all of the goodness forward about Adams – both John and Abigail. 💕💕💕

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      2. An extraordinary review, Edward. Among the many provocative excerpts you offered, I was impressed with the education of the two Adams Presidents, father and son. They put us to shame. Thank you.

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  15. Such a great post and review of John Adams and his wife Abagail. There is rich history here and I loved the depth of his love for the country with sound insights and his stance on christianity. The rich comments between them, their ritual and love for each other, their family and country is admirable. My dear friend is a descendant and the love of her family, outreach, love and care extends out to the world that is inspirational! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! 💗

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    1. You’re welcome, my friend. I love how the biographer presented Abigail, so now I’m looking for a book about her. With so many of her letters available, I’m sure her story and thoughts will be illuminating. It’s pretty awesome that you have one of their descendants as your friend.

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      1. It does make one wonder… about the subtle ways historic accounts of beliefs and opinions (about issues that are still current today) might get subtly presented in a way that makes them seem different. We can’t really know how things were hundreds of years ago, or even half a century ago. (And I’m not suggesting things being altered. I mean a more subtle thing.) Seeing the progressive mindset of Abigail Adams and some other women throughout history, I sometimes wonder if maybe women had more respect and value back then — but somehow it died or was taken away… and people who *could* make things seem different preferred to make it seem that that respect was never there. What we have today has been eroded for decades, and often by women themselves (such as dumbing themselves down). Sorry for the long pondering comment. My excuse is lack of sleep. LOL

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        1. Excellent comment, Teagan. I really think it’s closer to people, probably just men, making it seem like respect for women or women’s decision-making was never there. Even the Bible is full of stories where women were important historical figures or, in some cases, saved men from calamity, which, of course, continues to this day. You can see this every time a man does something really bad and shows up at a press conference with his wife, or when a man loses his job and the wife needs to take on a second job because he is lost and doesn’t know what to do. Most men want all the credit, so they hide women’s accomplishments instead of highlighting them. There are too many examples to mention them all, but of course, you know them.

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    1. Thank you, my friend. I know, extremely clear, and what the Adams thought about equality and society as a whole was very interesting. A lot of that is missed nowadays, and only selected views from the beginning of this country are presented instead of the full picture. I think it’s so important to continue to read about our history from reliable sources, and it’s great to rediscover key figures like the Adams.

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        1. Definitely, and you don’t see a lot of “Yes or No… because I say so.” There was a dialogue where people would fully explain their positions and debate the pros and cons of issues, something from which our Congress would benefit enormously.

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  18. Kudos on an informative review. Adams is definitely near the top of interesting figures of the time, and I appreciate how you point out his relationships and how interesting and insightful they are can be matched only be his well-known personal accomplishments!

    –Scott

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  19. I found this passage fascinating: “The last two great surviving figures of the American Revolution had both died on the Fourth of July, exactly fifty years after the Declaration of Independence.” It clearly denotes a higher meaning and plan for it all. And for these two great figures of history in particular. A wonderful review, Edward; I am grateful that you highlighted it for me! Last but not least, loved your mug 💖 With appreciation, sending blessings and light your way and wishing you a peaceful day ✨🙏

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    1. Thank you so much, Susana. I didn’t know that they both died on the 4th of July until I saw the TV series. Then I read the full narrative in the book, and I was amazed by the timing. So I’m with you, it looks like there was a higher plan behind it all.

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      1. I never liked history as a child and I think I linked it more to not liking the teacher… I lived every subject I resonated with the teachers…my husband is a history buff and he has made history easy to learn and talk about and even more fascinating… you did a great job and wrote so many wonderful things that left me wanting to keep reading.. thank you!😊

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  23. This 2-volume biography sounds astounding. You’ve uncovered a gem here, Edward. Everything you quoted made me want to read more about John and Abigail Adams. It’s interesting that they seemed to be keyed into the future of our country and share values with so many of us in today’s United States, concerning politics, freedom, equality…. I can’t believe our country is ‘still’ fighting for these same things.

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    1. Absolutely! While researching, I found that a lot of people read the one by David McCullough, but most commentators who have studied John Adams recommended the one by Page Smith. I’m glad I went with this one.

      About your last comment, yes, it’s ridiculous, and the Founding Fathers would be ashamed of today’s politicians. Thank you for reading and commenting, Rose.

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  24. Very interesting history and information on one of the founding fathers. And that Abigail was advocating for women in that era, is a wonderful bit of history that I’m certain is often overlooked. Thank you for bringing light to that.
    I see you have your reading cut out for you. I’ll let you carry on.

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    1. She definitely was a strong lady, and the biographer did an excellent job showing how important she was, not just in her husband’s life but in the lives of other Founding Fathers.

      Yes, I have a stack of books that I need to read, my friend.

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  25. A profound commentary on so many levels! Quite up to your readers’ expectations… I’ll comment on just a few of its valuable aspects:

    How harmonious that household sounds! Together with the correspondence when they were apart, it paints a picture of truly felicitous domesticity.

    Of course, m such a home format would only appeal to those with a tendency to display “a stiff-necked and often unrealistic rectitude which inhibited the most effective political action.”

    Gosh, I heard myself described…

    I had no idea Abigail was often ill. It makes all the rest of her accomplishments that much more impressive.

    Finally, I know you will be fine with it if I forward Adams’s quotation about great men having exceptional women about them, with a recommendation to check out the rest of the post.

    Wonderful work, as always, my brother!

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    1. Thank you so much, my friend. I was very impressed with her, and there are mentions of her illness throughout the book. Even with all that, she made the decision to inoculate herself and her four children against smallpox. It was a horrible procedure back in those days, but it shows the fortitude and wisdom of this lady.

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    1. Yes, that’s my goal, and I’m going to keep it to the key ones: George Washington, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. Abigail was interesting, so I’m going to look for a book about her to add to my reading list.

      My son gave it to me as a Father’s Day gift a couple of years ago, and it’s awesome.

      Thank you for reading.

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