David McCullough's "John Adams"

UPDATE: This book has now been made into a wonderful HBO mini-series by the same name. If you aren't a reader and more of a watcher, I highly recommend the DVD.

Ever since reading David McCullough's artfully written historical narrative John Adams, my husband and I have a new hero. John Adams was pretty much a mystery to us prior to reading McCullough's book. We knew his name, we knew he was considered a "founding father" of the United States of America, and we knew he had served as president of this country at one time. There was so much we didn't know.

McCullough is a master at bringing history to life, and he pulled out all the stops in writing this book. He inserted historical letters, accounts, and sketches smoothly and effortlessly to form an important historical work that reads like an historical novel.

We procured our paperback copy of John Adams from Costco on the recommendation of a dear friend. We dove in, reading it together as we often do. I read aloud, while my husband did various activities conducive to my reading aloud.

We fell in love with John Adams; this stalwart forefather of integrity, grit, determination, and a passion for the ideals that the United States should hold dear. The personal sacrifices that he made throughout his life to bring about the freedoms that U.S. citizens enjoy today are astounding.

We also fell in love with his amazing wife, Abigail Adams. Through letters between the two, McCullough uncovers the undying love that the two had for one another. Throughout John Adams' career, his wife was his confidante and advisor providing politically relevant and intelligent insight. She also wrote to some of John Adams contemporaries (i.e., Thomas Jefferson) and had influence in their lives as well.

We wept at the end of the book when John Adams' and Thomas Jefferson's deaths are chronicled, occurring only hours apart on the important date of July 4th. Although often misunderstood, the relationship between the two was strong in the end. In fact, some of John Adams last words on his deathbed spoken after Jefferson passed away far from Adams home were, "Thomas Jefferson survives." Adams passed away later that day.

We highly recommend this book as an addition to one's personal library. It is full of important references, quotes, and ideals that need to be rekindled in our country and throughout the world.