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)

Extremely well researched and written

I couldn’t put it down. This is a lot to be said for a history book. It kept my interest as if it were a novel.

Listen at 1.2 speed

Excellent biography. This book is a great dive into the life of John Adams. His story is well told and clearly laid out. The detail gives nuance to the character of Adams that isn't seen in his side-role in biographies of Washington and Hamilton.

I had to listen at 1.2 speed to make up for the agonizing slowness of the narrator, and even then I would get frustrated at the 6-8 second pauses and all the mouth noises that should have been edited out in post production.

Totally Captivating

How poorly history has treated this great man of the revolution. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to truly understand American history

30 hours is a long time to dislike someone

David McCullough does a great job with Adams but I found the book to be quite a bit longer than necessary.

Narrator is nice and calming

The book itself is excellent, as many reviewers agree. Before purchasing, I read a few negative reviews of the narration. You can indeed hear the narrator breathe, basically between every sentence, and he sometimes takes long pauses. While these are things that I usually find very annoying, in this case I found his deep breaths actually quite calming. It reminded me to breathe as well :).

Thoroughly enjoyed this.

This is a long read, but worth every minute. It made history come alive for me. The reader was wonderful.

John Adams

this is a great book absolutely great I enjoyed it from the moment I started the buck till I finish the book it was great and there was so much that I did not know about John Adams life.

so complete

it made me feel as though I too was part of the Adam's family. incredible corresponde exchange and insight into their ways of thinking.

interesting story well. a master of the peole

danid mcchullough is an amazing writer and historian. this amazing book tells one side of our founding fathers. The history of our country should always be listened to.

Simply Superb

What an incredible life John Adams lived. His tenacity, optimism, and longevity are all inspiring. He was a good man who lived honorably, loved his family, and dutifully served his country in its most critical, nascent stages. McCullough always does his subject matter justice, and after getting used to the narrator, I found his performance to be quite good. This should be mandatory reading for any student of American history.