First Family

Abigail and John Adams

By: Joseph J. Ellis

Narrated by: Kimberly Farr

The Pulitzer Prize–winning, best-selling author of Founding Brothers and His Excellency brings America’s preeminent first couple to life in a moving and illuminating narrative that sweeps through the American Revolution and the republic’s tenuous early years.
John and Abigail Adams left an indelible and remarkably preserved portrait of their lives together in their personal correspondence: both Adamses were prolific letter writers (although John conceded that Abigail was clearly the more gifted of the two), and over the years they exchanged more than twelve hundred letters. Joseph J. Ellis distills this unprecedented and unsurpassed record to give us an account both intimate and panoramic; part biography, part political history, and part love story.

Ellis describes the first meeting between the two as inauspicious—John was twenty-four, Abigail just fifteen, and each was entirely unimpressed with the other. But they soon began a passionate correspondence that resulted in their marriage five years later.

Over the next decades, the couple were separated nearly as much as they were together. John’s political career took him first to Philadelphia, where he became the boldest advocate for the measures that would lead to the Declaration of Independence. Yet in order to attend the Second Continental Congress, he left his wife and children in the middle of the war zone that had by then engulfed Massachusetts. Later he was sent to Paris, where he served as a minister to the court of France alongside Benjamin Franklin. These years apart stressed the Adamses’ union almost beyond what it could bear: Abigail grew lonely, while the Adams children suffered from their father’s absence.

John was elected the nation’s first vice president, but by the time of his reelection, Abigail’s health prevented her from joining him in Philadelphia, the interim capital. She no doubt had further reservations about moving to the swamp on the Potomac when John became president, although this time he persuaded her. President Adams inherited a weak and bitterly divided country from George Washington. The political situation was perilous at best, and he needed his closest advisor by his side: “I can do nothing,” John told Abigail after his election, “without you.”

In Ellis’s rich and striking new history, John and Abigail’s relationship unfolds in the context of America’s birth as a nation.

Critic reviews

“Written with the grace and style one expects from the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Founding Brothers . . . John Adams could not have a better biographer.”
—Annette Gordon-Reed, The Los Angeles Times

“The author’s fluid style penetrates a correspondence studded with classical references, political dish, felicitous turns of phrases and unvarnished pleadings of affection and anxiety. America’s first power couple enjoyed, teased and rescued each other during 54 years of marriage.”
—John E. Lazarus, Newark Star-Ledger

“Ellis’s strength is his ability to portray historical icons as real human beings, and his talent remains sharp . . . Ellis has made himself into a sort of bard of our early Republic, and [First Family] is a fitting addition to his repertoire.”
—Anne Bartlett, Miami Herald

“Richly detailed . . . erudite as well as eloquent, First Family proves that bedfellows can make superior politics.”
—Jay Strafford, Richmond Times-Dispatch

“Ellis is that rare professional historian who can eloquently convey both information and insight with remarkable clarity . . . [he] has once again given us a consistently engaging dual biography and love story as well as an insightful exploration of early American history.”
—Roger Bishop, Bookpage

“First Family invites you into a sustaining marriage that survives revolution, personal tragedies and the vicious politics of the moment. In this election year, it’s valuable reading.”
—Peter M. Gianotti, Newsday

“The author’s beautiful writing draws the reader wholly into this relationship, bringing new perspective to the historical importance of this enduring love story. An impeccable account of the politics, civics and devotion behind the Adams marriage.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“In addition to looking at the strengths of the Adams’ marriage, the book examines the toll taken by their years apart and the misfortunes in the lives of all their children except John Quincy. Ellis has produced a very readable history of the nation’s founding as lived by these two.”—Mary Ellen Quinn, Booklist

“Ellis’s supple prose and keen psychological insight give a vivid sense of the human drama behind history’s upheavals.” — Publishers Weekly

Fascinating glimpse into the past...

They had a long marriage, a fruitful partnership, and an an amazing love story. Their letters are truly a treasure, a time capsule worth visiting..

"Real History"

I wanted to find out more about Abigail Adams and in the process found out so much more about the times in which she lived, her character, her contribution to the founding of our country, and of course, her relationship to her husband. This book has inspired me to listen to more about our founding fathers and their lives that I am now searching for other books of the people mentioned in the book such as Franklin, Hamilton, Jay, Washington, et al. The best part of the book however, was that it showed all these people as humans and the struggles, risks, loves, foibles, and especially politics - that surprisingly, were no different from our political traumas of today. To think that Franklin's home in Paris had a spy on his staff was astounding. It's a GREAT listen with wonderful narration. It's now one of my favorites and have listened to it over and over to pick up more and more.

Such a beautiful love story!

Such a Beautiful story woven into a truly historic time. It took them all .

Well done

Any additional comments?

Anyone who wants to read an excellent historical biography should read one written by Joseph Ellis.

Captivating

This was a captivating book, at once capturing the romance between John Adams and his wife, Abigail. It also revealed the story of our nation's founding with depth, detail, and candor. A great read!

Loved this!

Remarkable, resilient power couple and family of the 18th century. The relationship between the Adams and Thomas Jefferson... both Abigail and John with Thomas was closer than history books relay.

Informative and entertaining

Two of histories interesting couples so very well matched and each brought out the best in the other.

American Royalty

Engrossing love story of two true Americans who played an integral part in forming America. Abigail was a woman who could slide into 21st century America seamlessly truly a woman well ahead of her time. Great book, great American story and terrific narration!

The story of John Adams

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it was very detailed and helped me learn a little more about John Adams.

Have you listened to any of Kimberly Farr’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

nO

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, Some areas were a little slow so that would have been hard.

Not deep, but nice

A good read (listen, rather), not a masterwork, but I enjoyed it. The narrator was a little dramatic, but at least not boring or annoying.