John Adams

David McCullough's “John Adams” is most certainly a masterpiece. My Great Books book club held a discussion on 07/28/18 and I think everyone enjoyed the novel, even those who could not finish it.

In some ways, I think John Adams was the most complex and least understood of the Founding Fathers, although all of them were interesting individuals. John Adams has not received historic accolades, perhaps because he was the first Vice President (always a rather marginal role) and followed in George Washington's large Presidential footsteps.

It is hard to say what John Adams might do if he were alive today, but he dedicated himself to public service (and taught John Quincy to do so, as well) so much so that he was gone much of the time. We forget that it took weeks or months for correspondence ot make its way to the recipient. This delay and lack of technology gives history a treasure trove of Mr. Adams' correspondence, especially that with his lovely wife, Abigail. This short, sometimes brusque man, is credited with building the US Navy and avoiding war through masterful negotiation. He also believed strongly in an educated electorate, which he worked into the Massachusetts Constitution. He felt that wealth should not be path to public service, but that anyone should be able to serve. And he was introspective and in touch with his feelings in a way that many of his contemporaries did not realize.

David McCullough takes a long life and seemingly endless primary sources to paint a never-boring portrait of our second President. Truly an excellent work.

Questions prepared by one of the book club members:

Concerning the July reading, Mc Cullough on John Adams, it has to be said that John Adams and the book both contain multitudes (as Whitman said about himself when he was accused of inconsistency).

What was the most surprising thing you learned about John Adams?
How would you describe his character? Warm and friendly or Cold and reserve? Humble and uncertain or Arrogant and self confident? Other?
How did others see him?
No one is “best” at everything they do. In what role did Adams make his most successful contribution to the American “cause” as – a) political theorist? b) an organizer of the Revolution? c) a diplomat? d) President?
Gordon Woods in The Radicalism of the American Revolution argues that government in America began as a colonial monarchy (order and hierarchy as prime values), evolved into a republic (virtue or public spiritedness and liberty as prime values) and became a democracy (self-interest and equality as prime values). How would you describe Adams' political thinking?
How would you describe his relationship with George Washington”
... With Abigail?
... With his son John Quincy?
... With Jefferson?
What were Adams' views on slavery?
..on native americans?
If you could invite Adams to dinner at your home what 3 questions would you ask him?