I think John Adams might be stalking me. . .

I just finished reading David McCullough's biography and now Adams is showing up all over the place! OK, maybe just NPR and PBS, but it's still pretty cool. I love it when I'm studying or reading something, and references pop up in unexpected places. McCullough's book had been in my to-read stack for a while before I finally picked it up a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't that I didn't want to read it, more that I wanted to devote the time and brain power needed to really enjoy it. And enjoy it, I did!

Adams was really a fascinating guy. I'm not saying he was perfect, but who is? What I love about him, if his ability to recognize his own flaws and failings and his doggedness in defending what he beleived to be right. He knew independence was right for America and was instrumental in achieving it. Although he was often accused of pride (even by himself), he asked Jefferson to right the Declaration of Independence. He also nominated George Washington to lead the Continental Army. Maybe you knew that, but I did not.

Though his friendship with Jefferson turned to enmity during the heights of their political careers, the two men overcome this later in life to become frequent correspondents. This speaks highly of Adams's ability to forgive.

Adams probably wasn't the best father to his children considering he spent nearly all of their formative years at Congress or in Europe. Speaking of which, Abigail Adams must have been the most amazing person ever! Adams was lucky to have her, and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that she was one of the main reasons for his success.

In the end, Adams feared that history would forget him and his contributions. This book really brings Adams back into the public eye and deservedly so. He sacrificed much to build our nation and deserves our respect.

David McCullough is a wonderful storyteller with an accessible writing style. Read it! And while you're at it, read 1776, too!

A word about the HBO miniseries: It's awesome! While not always factually accurate, it is true to the spirit of Adams's life and McCullough's book.