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)

Amazing

If you're a fan of history, politics, or interesting biographies, this book will make you think.

Not as good as I hoped.

A lot of my friends have bought this book and raved about it. Unfortunately, I didn't find it that good. I base my books by how much they make me look forward to my long drives to, and from, work. I found that I didn't want to keep listening, so every time I finished a book, I would continue with this one. By the time a chapter was done, I would stop and move on to another book.

A sympathetic portrait

D Brown

Refreshing to see a full-throated sympathetic treatment of this great man, without the usual sniping about his curmudgeonliness. Together with biographies of the other Founders, this helps provide a balanced, nuanced portrait of those amazing years when our country came into being.

Outstanding!

A great book of one of the greatest man in history.
I also find that the performance was very good, but I think the sound engineering could have used a bit of work to filter out some of the expected breathing noises of the reader. Overall I am very happy I purchased this title.

Very enlightening

I always take David McCullough with a grain of salt because he always ends up putting the subject's best foot forward, sometimes at the expense of the unvarnished truth. It is it I alway learn something and it always sparks more interest in learning more.

Sad When it Ended

LOVED this book and LOVED getting to know the characters. I felt like they were family by the end of the book. Well done!

Good story, underwhelming delivery

The swallowing and breathing sounds were distracting. Perhaps the microphone was too close. The story was good but it was not one of my favorites from McCullough.

John Adams was the ultimate "man in the arena".

No person in America contributed more or had a greater impact on the outcome of the revolution than John Adams. It is said that George Washington was the indispensable man; the same can be said of Adams who brilliantly advocated for independence prior to, during, and following both Continental Congresses, and thereafter. Truly, he was the voice of American Independence.

David McCullough is an incredible story teller. One can see the enormous amount of research that goes into his books, and the organizational challenges inevitably encountered, yet one still comes away from the reading feeling the most human of experiences. Thank you, David.

A Fair Assessment

The President between Washington and Jefferson and only for one Term. Adams has oft been mistreated. This book provides a view of the actual John Adams.

Such a fantastic undertaking

As someone with a very general knowledge of this period and the Founding Fathers (and least of all of John Adams himself), I found this title to be well worth the 30 hour investment. You will as well. Enjoy!