John Adams

By: David McCullough

Narrated by: Nelson Runger

Length: 29 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Pulitzer Prize, Biography/Autobiography, 2002

In this powerful, epic biography, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough unfolds the adventurous life-journey of John Adams, the brilliant, fiercely independent, often irascible, always honest Yankee patriot who spared nothing in his zeal for the American Revolution. Adams thought, wrote, and spoke out for the "Great Cause" come what might; he traveled far and wide in all seasons and often at extreme risk; he rose to become the second president of the United States and saved the country from blundering into an unnecessary war; he was rightly celebrated for his integrity, and regarded by some as "out of his senses"; and his marriage to the wise and valiant Abigail Adams is one of the most moving love stories in American history.

Much about Adams' life will come as a surprise to many. His rocky relationship with friend and eventual archrival Thomas Jefferson, his courageous voyage on the frigate Boston in the winter of 1778, and his later trek over the Pyrenees are exploits few would have dared and that few listeners will ever forget.

McCullough's John Adams has the sweep and vitality of a great novel. This is history on a grand scale, an audiobook about politics, war, and social issues, but also about human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship, and betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas. Above all, it is an enthralling, often surprising story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived.

©2001 David McCullough (P)2001 Recorded Books, All Rights Reserved

Critic reviews

"Brilliant...a winner." (Publishers Weekly)
"McCullough writes to be heard as well as read." (AudioFile)

Superb

McCullough’s historical and biographical favorite. Thoroughly comprehensive and delightfully palatable to the ear. Worth your time to listen to the end.

living in New England

i love this book and living in Massachussets makes its history so much more intriguing.

Learned so much!

This book gave me a new understanding of our country’s beginning. Unfortunately we took a wrong turn right after we started: factions over individual decisions based on careful consideration. I had no idea the two party system had such an early start. Wish we would have a multiparty system.

Refreshing!

McCullough does an amazing job carefully listing his sources while seamlessly folding each reference into the story. This is not a dry history book. McCullough rarely includes his own opinions or personal bias, and when he does he states it clearly. This is a refreshing change from another book I just listened to on George Washington, written by another popular author. That book was so long in bias and short on documentation that I didn’t finish it. McCullough stands apart as a reliable historian who is also a great writer. I’m downloading his book on Truman next.

Wonderful

I love reading history that you know is correct, and not woke, which is wrong. The good and the bad, David writes always. Along with Ron Chernow one of the best history writers ever.

Wonderful Book - but the narrator was distracting

I will ever love and esteem John Adams now that I know him, and it is a shame on our country that there is no statue of him in Washington. We aren't taught much about Adams in school, and it is a terrible thing. He and Abigail were so wise, and so principled, and sacrificed so much for their country. To be so desperately in love, and to have been separated for so much of their lives because our country needed him. He was underappreciated then, and is even more so now.
Read this book. The world should know this man.
The narrator delivers his performance with enthusiasm and has a nice voice. The mouth sounds, though, are cringy. This is the first audiobook I've heard where you hear every breath, and what sounds like him turning his tongue over in his mouth. I'm sure this is more on the sound engineers, but, it's quite distracting. He gives great pauses at the breaks between sections in the book, and it's most noticeable there. I listened to it sped up a bit, so, I'm not sure if that made it more, or less, noticeable. At least it shortened the duration. 😀
All in all, this book is not to be missed. I knew almost nothing of Mr. Adams before this, only the basics we are taught in school/college. At the end, however, I was crying when he died, for the loss of such a patriot and good man, to whom our country owes so much.

Engrossing

Another wonderful book that brings a story to life. We would do well to learn the lessons inside.

Masterpiece

Another great history book by David McCullough. Beautifully woven story about one of America’s great founding fathers and his noble wife, Abigail.

Amazing All Around!

I've watched the miniseries a couple of times and loved it. I never realized the source material was so extensive and detailed.

From beginning to end, the details and day-to-day struggles of Adams and Family are revealed by a great narrator.

Excellent book.

John Adams is wonderfully written and narrated. Highly recommend this audiobook to learn more about this Founding Father.