"A wonderfully vivid account of the momentous era they lived through, underscoring the chaotic, often improvisatory circumstances that attended the birth of the fledgling nation and the hardships of daily life." -Michiko Kakutani, New York Times In 1762, John Adams penned a flirtatious note to "Miss Adorable," the 17-year-old Abigail Smith. In 1801, Abigail wrote to wish her husband John a safe journey as he headed home to Quincy after serving as president of the nation he helped create. The letters that span these nearly ...
Read More
"A wonderfully vivid account of the momentous era they lived through, underscoring the chaotic, often improvisatory circumstances that attended the birth of the fledgling nation and the hardships of daily life." -Michiko Kakutani, New York Times In 1762, John Adams penned a flirtatious note to "Miss Adorable," the 17-year-old Abigail Smith. In 1801, Abigail wrote to wish her husband John a safe journey as he headed home to Quincy after serving as president of the nation he helped create. The letters that span these nearly forty years form the most significant correspondence-and reveal one of the most intriguing and inspiring partnerships-in American history. As a pivotal player in the American Revolution and the early republic, John had a front-row seat at critical moments in the creation of the United States, from the drafting of the Declaration of Independence to negotiating peace with Great Britain to serving as the first vice president and second president under the U.S. Constitution. Separated more often than they were together during this founding era, John and Abigail shared their lives through letters that each addressed to "My Dearest Friend," debating ideas and commenting on current events while attending to the concerns of raising their children (including a future president). Full of keen observations and articulate commentary on world events, these letters are also remarkably intimate. This new collection-including some letters never before published-invites readers to experience the founding of a nation and the partnership of two strong individuals, in their own words. This is history at its most authentic and most engaging.
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 528 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 528 p. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. In 1762, John Adams penned a flirtatious note to 'Miss Adorable', Abigail Smith. In 1801, Abigail wrote to wish her husband John a safe journey as he headed home to Quincy after serving as president of the nation he helped create. This collection invites readers to experience the founding of a nation and the partnership of two strong individuals. Editor(s): Hogan, Margaret A.; Taylor, C. James. Num Pages: 528 pages, 19 color illustrations, 9 halftones. BIC Classification: 1KBB; 3JF; BGH; BJ; HBJK; HBLL; JPHL. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 153 x 226 x 24. Weight in Grams: 688. 2010. Paperback.....We ship daily from our Bookshop.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
We are lucky these letters have survived. It was not uncommon for all of a person's letters to be burned after their death. Thankfully, the Adams children realized that their parents correspondence was something to be treasured, and saved for posterity's' sake.
The letters of John and Abigail Adams are beautifully presented in this volume. They are thoughtfully chosen, well organized, and edited in such a way as to preserve the style of the letters without making them overly difficult for modern readers.
The mutual admiration between John and Abigail is clear in every sentence of these letters. The correspondence covers decades of their lives, from their early courtship to childbirth, from the Battle of Bunker Hill to John's term as President. Many of the letters are letters of love, filled with moving declarations of eternal fidelity and passionate prose.
More telling, though, are the mundane trivialities in the letters. Some of the most compelling letters have nothing at all to do with the founding of our country. Abigail and John write of tea, of farming, of weather, of illnesses. The readers are pulled into the intimacy of the letters; you will find yourself grieving along with Abigail as she writes to John of her mother's death. You will feel the cold cramp in her gut as she struggles with the decision to vaccinate her children against smallpox. You will thrill at her descriptions of the battles of the Revolutionary War being fought mere miles from her home.
It is a fascinating example of marriage and family life in the 18th century, and sheds much light on the private life of America's 2nd President.
This book is a wonderful read, and is suitable for academics looking for a reference book as well as the average person who is looking for a pleasurable read.
So much of what we think we know about our Founding Fathers has been thrown into question in recent years. These brave men and women who lead the charge for Independence have become mythical figures in the American mind. This book gives us a chance to get at the truth behind the legends, and uncover history first hand from the people who founded our country.
If you enjoyed the HBO mini-series JOHN ADAMS, then you should definitely pick up this book.