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)

great story, all should listen

This man's life is a story of great value. It is an amazing way to learn about the beginning of the USA and understand in a truly deep way where so much of what we have came from, and is sure to inspire awe.

Entirely Great

This was wonderful in every way. I believe we tend to think of people from Adams' period as dry and distant; it's hard to think of them in modern terms with emotions as we experience them. This, however, humanizes Adams like no other book I've read has done of the time. You feel like you knew him when it's over. Some of this can be attributed to the reading, which was equally as good. Highly recommended.

Wow! How great a man overlooked in history class.

David McCullough's research is incredibly thorough as usual. He really illuminates the life and character of John Adams, and his family members. The explanations of political thought during our country's founding are clear and extensive. The narrator dose a great job too.

A truly great book.

This is seminal work about John Adams. The reading captures the essence of the story and the man. Highly recommended.

Loved it!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Abigail Adams

Any additional comments?

Really enjoyed this book. It made me want to learn more about Abigail Adams. I really loved everything about it.

Outstanding insight to our history

Would you consider the audio edition of John Adams to be better than the print version?

No, not better, but a wonderful adjunct

What other book might you compare John Adams to and why?

Almost any other by the same author. It is wonderful the way he brings life and breath to historical figures without putting them on a pedestal or demonizing them. All the humanity,all the joys, all the grief that made them who they were and how they helped shape the world we know.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The death of Abigail

Any additional comments?

For those who rather have made up plots, or reality tv versions of the human story, this is not for you. This is real life. I love the detail of this biography. I am better able to understand our mutual history and appreciate what shaped MY world. If you love this country, or even if you think it could be better, or if you think it can help the world be better, here is an "Owner's Manual" for citizenship. The lives of those who dared to reach to something better, even at great personal risk.

Never Boring

Would you consider the audio edition of John Adams to be better than the print version?

I had not read the print version but have ordered it so as to have a hard copy to review. There were many of Adams quotes I would like to reference to and a printed version will make this easy.

Who was your favorite character and why?

John Adams with out a doubt, with his wife running a close second. Such an interesting personality! To many people he came off almost repulsive, but his resolve and moral compass seemed almost super human. A true patriot.

Which character – as performed by Nelson Runger – was your favorite?

Mr Runger was excellent in his reading and I love the slightly extended pauses between paragraphs. Almost purposely letting you, for a second or two, digest the last line. As far as performance of characters, it didn't apply so much to a history book since there aren't that many direct quotes.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not so much a moment but rather the true grit of this man that was put in to almost impossible situations that would make the best of us throw our hands up in disgust, and yet he held true to his principles with his head held high and forged on.

Any additional comments?

I will probably listen to this several times. It's that good. Not surprising though since it is one of David McCullough's

John Adams

The author certainly did a tremendous amount of historical research. Not chronologically presented, but intertwined into stories of various historical persons associated with and affecting Adams' life.
Intimate stories of Adam's family and his friends gives one the feeling of being right there and watching as surprising historical events unravel. One does not have to be a "history buff" to enjoy this book

Unsung Hero

Like all of my friends, I had no idea who John Adams really was and what he contributed to the making of the United States of America. The author of this book painted a full picture of the man, many of his friends and enemies, and the times in which they lived and died.

Incredible history lesson

You will feel like you were there. This is a great read, wonderful history lesson.