David Willis McCullough and Nelson Runger - John Adams

Pros: A fascinating figure in fascinating times. Superb balance and graceful writing.

Cons: Very little of any consequence.

The Bottom Line: An important work that renders long overdue praise and credit to the unsung second President of the United States. Highly recommended.

Review: In this excellent work covering the life and career of John Adams, the author, David McCullough, illuminates perhaps the least appreciated of America's founding fathers with great skill and a level hand. McCullough's writing in John Adams ...

Pros: Easy to follow and full of 1700 colour.

Cons: Nothing worth noting in this Pulitzer Prize winning book.

The Bottom Line: McCullough writes an engrossing story of a solid and steadfast man and the great deeds he accomplished in an easy to follow yet full of depth novel-like biography.

Review: In reading this Pulitzer Prize winning book I wasn't sure if it was the fact that I learned so much more about a great man and American, John Adams, or if it was the literary genius of the the author David McCullough that I found so fascinating. I do ...

Pros: McCullough uses the extensive correspondence to see inside the life of Adams and his compatriots.

Cons: Long text written as a scholarly work, labored reading

The Bottom Line: The most important work on the life of John Adams and his time ever to be written. A masterpiece!

Review: Many names are associated with the American Revolution, some for their writings, others for their actions. Men like Jefferson, Hancock, Paine, Washington, Samuel Adams, Gerry, Madison and Franklin stand at the forefront of the cause of separation from En ...

Pros: Scholarly, well researched, eloquently written.

Cons: Could have benefited from additional detail on Adams' political career.

The Bottom Line: The finest biography of John Adams available to general readers today... brings to life the man who rightfully belongs in the pantheon of the greatest Americans.

Review: John Adams… lawyer; passionate advocate of American independence; Founding Father of the United States of America; organizer of the Second Continental Congress; signer of the Declaration of Independence; negotiator of the Treaty of Paris; diplomat; Vice...

Pros: Everything

Cons: Wanted more

The Bottom Line: If you love American history, this is a must read.

Review: The life of John Adams contains none of the usual grist for a bestselling biographers' mill. There were no sex scandals, no wild swings in fortune, no overnight success, no duels to the death. Despite being the instigator of the Declaration of...

Pros: Brilliant work by brilliance upon brilliance

Cons: Too short

The Bottom Line: Sure to become the definitive Adams biography, and a magic mirror in which to view the greatest of American times and the men who made them

Review: A Sunday or so ago, my father brought up this very subject.

'See McCullough's got a hefty volume on John Adams.'
'I have it. Not bad.'
'Hmph,' the Old Man said roguishly, with a nod towards Mumsie. 'Can't imagine there's much to...

Pros: A full and complete portrait.

Cons: Reliance on primary sources leaves a few minor holes.

The Bottom Line: A full and complete biography of one of our greatest statesmen.

Review: On the back cover jacket, David McCullough writes of the American Revolutionaries, "What were these 'self-evident' truths that so many risked all for, fought for, suffered and died for? What was the source of their courage? Who were these people? I ...

Pros: Vivid American history for everyone to enjoy

Cons: None

The Bottom Line: A fantastic book that will convince you of the importance of John Adams to America and American history

Review: “You are not singular in your suspicions that you know but little. The longer I live, the more I read, the more patiently I think, and the more anxiously I inquire, the less I seem to know…Do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly. This is enough.”
-...

Pros: very well written, fun to read, fascinating information

Cons: leaves you wanting more

The Bottom Line: "John Adams" will tell about our second President, and about America as well.

Review: The Founding Fathers of the United States have been a tremendous source of fascination for many years. Although
their contributions to history are for the most part well documented, we often find it difficult to learn about the person behind the...

Pros: Eloquent insight into an American patriot few know anything about. A wonderful read.

Cons: Definitely wanted more.

The Bottom Line: Fantastic, entertaining biography of a patriot overshadowed in history by many of his contemporaries. Remarkably well-written and highly informative.

Review: All I knew about John Adams was based upon what I was taught in school - and history was my favorite subject. All most of us are taught is John Adams was our second president and he signed the Declaration of Independence. Heck, more people are familiar...