America's First Dynasty

The Adamses 1735-1918

By: Richard Brookhiser

Narrated by: Dan Cashman

In America's First Dynasty, Richard Brookhiser tells the story of America's longest and still-greatest dynasty, the Adamses, the only family in our history to play a leading role in American affairs for nearly two centuries. John Adams was only the first of the Adamses to occupy the highest office in the land; his son, John Quincy Adams, ascended to the presidency as an equal champion of liberty. Following in this great legacy were writers Charles Francis Adams and Henry Adams, the latter of whom proved as able to write on art history as on affairs of state and government; Henry Adams won a Pulitzer Prize for his work.

Brookhiser has written a great history of a great family, balancing praise with due consideration of the family's darker side.

©2002 Richard Brookhiser (P)2002 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Providing new insights into the development of American political and social ideas, this family biography will benefit readers interested in these ideas and the recent outpouring of literature concerning the Adamses." (Library Journal)

Unusual and mildly disappointing

The danger facing biographers is that they sometimes fall in love with their subject. That accusation cannot be made here. There are many criticisms of the Adamses, generally without supporting arguments. The result is a skewed view of these men, shallow and incomplete. I found this work vague and unsatisfying.