John Adams Second President of the U.S.
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John Adams By David McCullough
The portraits McCullough develops in his book about the Second President are believably alive. You are taken to the beginning of the nation and get to know its players.
I could not help but compare those political times and the present. There is much to learn in reading this book.
I have included in this lens links to web sites that young people would enjoy and can use for their internet studies in John Adams. I consider this my John Adams internet lapbook.
The Second President Of The United States.
John Adams was the first President to live in the newly constructed White House. He arrived with his nephew and personal secretary Billy Shaw, and his long time servant James Breisler on November 1st, 1800. Only two project commissioners and a few construction workers were there to greet him and his traveling party.The house was surrounded by rubble and weeds and the plaster and paint were still wet on the walls. Only a temporary staircase existed for accessing the second floor. And so, the President spent his first night in the new capital.
This unceremonious first day of the White House occupation is a good description of America's take on their second President, John Adams.
Second President, who?
Adams would write to his wife Abigail the next morning.
"I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and all that shall hereafter inhabit. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof."
John Adams Is Finally Appreciated
David McCullough Did His Research
If you enjoyed the HBO series, you will admire McCullough's work and especially John Adams' life and work for the U.S. In the interview of David McCullough, in the HBO issue of the book, he mentions that he first did research on a book about Jefferson and Adams together. Their lives were forever entwined during the fight for independence and until their deaths.
Thomas Jefferson destroyed many of his letters. Not so, John Adams. There are thousands of Adams' writings available today. The trove is a rich legacy and provided a first hand study for the book, John Adams.
McCullough found early on that John Adams was a most interesting and compelling founding father. Adams merited a thorough study of his own. And long over due. McCullough laments that there is not even a statue of John Adams in Washington, D.C.
Some Facts I Learned Reading the Book
1 John Adams' descendants arrived in the New World in 1638 and went back four generations in Braintree, Massachusetts. They were farmers, deacons and officers in the militia. All independent country gentlemen with no bankruptcy committed. He was proud of all his American forebears.
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2
In 1770 Adams was assigned to defend the British soldiers of the Boston Massacre. He won.
Read More.
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3
John Adams was a voracious reader and owned thousands of books. He believed education was a necessity for everyone for the well being of the citizens, and for the new country's government to work.
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4
The second President knew four languages, English, French, Latin and Greek.
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5
The eight months leading up to the Declaration of Independence proved John Adams an unwavering proponent of independence. He earned praise from his fellow delegates.
Jefferson called Adams "our colossus on the floor. [His] power of thought and expression...moved us from our seats."
Benjamin Rush said, "This illustrious patriot has not his superior, scarcely has equal for abilities and virtue..."
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Read more about the Declaration
The Declaration of Independence and Other Great Documents of American History 1775-1865 (Dover Thrift Editions)
Amazon Price: $2.00 (as of 07/06/2009) 
The Declaration of Independence: The Story Behind America's Founding Document and the Men Who Created It (Museum in a Book)
Amazon Price: $23.09 (as of 07/06/2009)
The Declaration of Independence With Short Biographies of Its Signers (Little Books of Wisdom)
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/06/2009)
5 More Facts
6 Adams would spend 10 years in Europe as commissioner of the new United States. Serving in France with Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, signing the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War.
See more.
In 1783 he traveled to Amsterdam for the new nation's cause and remained in England as envoy until 1787.
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7
During his Presidency Adams built a solid navy presence and "took upon himself the responsibility of peace with France in the year 1800", avoiding a war he thought detrimental to the country.
He considered this his greatest accomplishment during his term as President.
Read Life in Brief for more on his Presidency.
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8
His farm was called Peacefield. Sometime during the Presidential election of 1800 Adams started referring to it as Stonyfield.
Visit the John Adams National Historical Park.
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9
In his retirement years at Peacefield he was thought of as open, humorous and enjoying life. Josiah Quincy a six year old cousin of Abigail later wrote of Adams. "...the genuine kindness of the President, who had not a chip of an iceberg in his composition."
He farmed to support his large extended family and wrote hundreds of letters to friends, relatives and publications.
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10
Jefferson and Adams both died July 4th, 1826, the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
A Beautiful photoset From Flickr of Quincy. John Adams' Home Town
Photos by Lady Tracy o' the Disk
A short website about Peacefield and John Adams in general.
Colorful and artistic with beautiful layout. See it at Presidential Avenue.
Hancock Cemetery, Qu...
John Quincy Adams' c...
Abigail Adams tomb
Adams birthplaces
John Adams birthplac...
John Adams tomb
Peacefield garden (J...
Church of the Presid...
Peacefield (John Ada...
Peacefield closeup (...
John Adams statue
John Quincy Adams bi...
Stone Library at Pea...
John Quincy & Lo...
John Quincy & Lo...
Here are Three Quotes from John Adams Writings.
A quote showcase. From time to time it may change.
* * * * *
"Public business, my son, must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or other. If wise men decline it, others will not;
if honest men refuse it, others will not."
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* * * * * *
"Let the human mind loose. It must be loose. It will be loose. Superstition and dogmatism cannot confine it."
* * * * * * * * *
"Whether they be old or young, rich or poor, high or low,wise or foolish, ignorant or learned, every individual is seen to be strongly actuated by a desire to be seen, heard, talked of, and approved and respected."
* * * * * *
He wrote to her, "You bid me burn your letters. But I must forget you first."
Web Links to Read and Gather All the Facts
- POTUS
- This link is good for young people. All the Presidents are here.
POTUS=Presidents of the United States - Health of the Presidents
- This site gives health of the Presidents. John Adams entries are interesting and we can get a good sense of the medical practices and fads at the time. I found the "erratic" entries interesting, because during his Presidency he was accused of madness and McCullough did not go into that aspect of Adams.
David McCullough Talks About John Adams
John Adams: A Closer Look (HBO)
I Now Admire John Adams
It is true this biography largely sympathizes with Adams. He had a tendency to be irrational and prone to sudden rage which made for bad press during his Presidency. In his retirement these irrationalities disappeared.The tracts I find likable were his ability to socialize with any class of person. He was comfortable in road taverns and learned to like and admire Parisian society. He reveled in tasks on his farm working beside his farm employees. The Adams family did not own slaves. He believed in being professional and decorous in his political work, no matter his personal opinion of fellow politicians.
I get a sense that he was adventurous, dedicated to his principles of justice and would not shrink from a challenge. He always felt compelled to be present and on the job.
The book is written as a study of a President. I rate it in the G category, acceptable for all ages. Milder than the TV series.
Sit Back and Turn Up the Volumn
May everyone forever use their voting rights with fortitude,
conviction and a thoroughly educated stance!
Have you read John Adams?
What an insight this biography is. I hope I have a continued spark for life as this President did?
blue22d wrote...
Thanks for visiting my lens, Gargoyles Watching. I love all historical lenses. This one is well done. Thanks.
Posted June 03, 2009
papawu wrote...
I know this is my second visit, but it just amazes me how much Adams still permeates the topics of conversation and media today. I have actually done quite a bit of reading on this great man and have found he was a man of formidable character, although a bit puritanical.
Posted June 02, 2009
KimGiancaterino wrote...
I haven't read this yet, but did watch the HBO miniseries. I would encourage every American to learn more about John Adams. I'm featuring this lens on my Squid Angel Diary this week.
Posted May 18, 2009
DougP wrote...
Good job! I listened to the unabridged audiobook, and also found it to be inspiring. What most awed me was the sacrifice involved in crossing the Atlantic a few times, and being away from his family and homeland for a number of years.
Posted April 29, 2009
myfirstjobsecondshift wrote...
Great lens. Enjoyed it very much. I like the way you added the 10 interesting facts that you learned in the book.
Posted April 27, 2009
If You Are Interested in Learning More.
Believe me you can not tell all about this patriot in one lens.
P.S. Squidooers
When I logged on to Amazon.com I found wonderful videos narrated by McCullough and one about the DVD. They were so affecting to me that I have included them after the book offerings. DON'T MISS THEM!
John Adams
Amazon Price: $13.60 (as of 07/06/2009)
My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams
Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 07/06/2009)
The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence Between Thomas Jefferson and Abigail and John Adams
Amazon Price: $20.90 (as of 07/06/2009)
1776: The Illustrated Edition
Amazon Price: $47.45 (as of 07/06/2009)
John Adams (HBO Miniseries)
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
VERY GOOD VIDEOS ON AMAZON ABOUT JOHN ADAMS
- About the Mini-Series
- Just click above to see them. They are located at the bottom under "Check Out Related Media".
*The first the author is promoting the DVD.
*The second video is about Peacefield.
*The third is a montage of scenes of the DVD and how they were worked. It is backed by the extraordinary soundtrack. The music has Irish influences.
by paperfacets
After 40 years I am published. When I was young I dreamed of being a writer, but the path got lost along the way.... (more)
