The Wisdom of John Adams

By John Adams and Kees de Mooy

John Adams was America's first vice president, second president, and a leading revolutionary, yet his remarkable accomplishments have sometimes been overshadowed by his peers Washington and Jefferson. David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography has helped reestablish Adams as a truly heroic figure in his own right -- intelligent, passionate, fiercely patriotic, and staunchly committed to the ideals of the United States. Now The Wisdom of John Adams further reveals -- in Adams' own words -- this distinguished leader's brilliance, foresight, and conviction. Here are excerpts from his greatest speeches and published works, including his oration on independence in the Continental Congress; Thoughts on Government, later the guide for several state constitutions; and his three-volume A Defense of the Constitutions of the United States. The Wisdom of John Adams also includes a selection of his forthright correspondence, as well as his tender love letters to his wife and strongest ally, Abigail -- in all, essential reading for any student of the "American Experiment." Book jacket.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806524650
• ISBN13: 9780806524658
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Citadel
• Length: 282 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.8" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

the cantankerous founder in his own words

A fascinating portrait of a brilliant and often misunderstood man. De Mooy has selected, edited, and assembled the best passages from Adams' writings with lapidary skill. Adams held strong opinions on everything from patriotism and party politics to the social skills of New Yorkers -- and wasn't shy about expressing them. Anyone who enjoyed David McCullough's recent Pulitzer-winning biography, or Joseph Ellis's "Founding Brothers," will find this book an invaluable companion. Or for those encountering Adams for the first time, there could scarcely be a better introduction.