John Adams

Unabridged
Author: David McCullough , John Adams
Narrator: Nelson Runger
Genres: History, Biographies, Politics, Political, United States, Military, Biography
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: May 2002
Length: 30 hours
Ratings:
Formats:
  • CD
Abridged
Author: David McCullough
Narrator: Edward Herrmann
Genres: Biographies, Non-Fiction
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date: May 2001
Length: 9 hours
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 4/5
Formats:
  • CD
  • WMA

Other Options

Also Available for Rent Also Available for Download Also Available for Purchase

Suggested Titles

Overview

Awards:
Audie Award Winner
Grammy Award

In this powerful, epic biography, David McCullough unfolds the adventurous life-journey of John Adams, the brilliant, fiercely independent, often irascible, always honest Yankee patriot who spared nothing in his zeal for the American Revolution; who thought, wrote, and spoke out for the "Great Cause" come what might, who traveled far and wide in all seasons and often at extreme risk; who rose to become the second President of the United States and saved the country from blundering into an unnecessary war; who was rightly celebrated for his integrity, and regarded by some as "out of his senses"; and whose marriage to the wise and valiant Abigail Adams is one of the moving love stories in American history.

Much about John Adams' life will come as a surprise to many. His rocky relationship with friend and eventual archrival Thomas Jefferson, his courageous voyage on the frigate Boston in the winter of 1778 and his later trek over the Pyrenees are exploits few would have dared and that few listeners will ever forget.

Like his masterful, Pulitzer Prize-winning biography Truman, David McCullough's John Adams has the sweep and vitality of a great novel. This is history on a grand scale -- an audiobook about politics and war and social issues, but also about human nature, love, religious faith, virtue, ambition, friendship and betrayal, and the far-reaching consequences of noble ideas. Above all, it is an enthralling, often surprising story of one of the most important and fascinating Americans who ever lived.

Selected Reviews

John Adams

by Tom
  • Book Rating: 4/5

amazing

by forneyjack
  • Book Rating: 5/5

More...

Read All 39

Reviews (39)

John Adams

Written by Tom from Tolland, CT on August 1st, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

John Adams had such an incredible life and was a driving force for the American Revolution. I enjoyed learning about all of his talents.

amazing

Written by forneyjack from Forney, TX on July 16th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Not a dull moment in the entire book. This book is a must read or listen for any American.

Epic!

Written by RHM from Yorktown Heights, NY on April 11th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 5/5

What an outstanding portrait of a leader in the most important of times in America's brief lineage. Not only does this narration dramatically illustrate the trials that our founding fathers bore through in creating this nation, but it also serves as a critical tool in demonstrating how the political traits and fallibilites of our founders were no different than those we see today.As John Adams himself is quoted as saying, in his lifetime human nature had not changed, even though everything else around it did.....nor would it ever.

John Adams

Written by Anonymous from Aurora, CO on April 8th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 5/5

If you are interested in American History listen to this book. McCullough does an excellent job of bringing this indispensable member of the true "Greatest Generation" to life. I opted for the abridged version, 9 discs as opposed to 30 for the unabridged. It was so informative and entertaining it made me wish I had ordered the unabridged version. If you didn't already know, it will make you realize how far we have fallen in regard to our present political leaders. In that respect in can be a bit depressing.

Too sugar coated

Written by KA from New York, NY on February 2nd, 2008

  • Book Rating: 2/5

The author is clearly a big fan of John Adams...and this book seems to be intended to convince others as well. I honestly didn't know anything about John Adams before reading this book and yet very, very little was surprising or all that interesting. I was hoping the book would dimensionalize a significant figure in our nations history --- instead we are given an account of his life through rose colored glasses.

John Adams

Written by Anonymous on December 6th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This is an excellent review of an early period in the history and evolution of the United States. The author does an excellent job describing the relationship between John Adams and his wife, as well as the relationship between Adams and Thomas Jefferson, and how it changed sevaral times over the years. I was fascinated by the early workings of the political parties, and how the rules have changed over time (i.e. The Republican and Federalist parties each put forward a candidate; the winner became President and the loser Vice President). There is information here that is not contained in our history lessons. While I would not describe myself as a student of history, reading this book makes me want to read more historical works, and I have added several to my book shelf. Anthony

Brilliant

Written by David Anthony from West Chester, PA on November 12th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

For the history lover, particularly those who read the Revolution, this book is perfect. McCullough weaves narrative and detail into an excellent portrayal of a fascinating patriot. After reading John Adams, you cannot help but agree with Thomas Jefferson, who called Adams the "Colossus of Independence", and the Pulitzer win. But beware, at 26 CDs this book is VERY LONG, though well worth the effort.

John Adams

Written by Fabian Janssen on November 2nd, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I really enjoyed this book! John and Abigail Adams were people I would like to have known personally and their part in our country's history was monumental. Excellent!

John Adams

Written by L Curtis on September 5th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

Fabulous book! I enjoyed it immensely! Great narrator. I just can't recommend it highly enough! McCullough is a wonderful historian and brings John Adams and his family and friends to life.

John Adams

Written by Eric Boyce on August 28th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I was surprised a bit - I wasn't sure I would like this, but I really did. McCullough does a really good job recounting Adams' life expereiences and core beliefs...an interesting read indeed...

Selected Reviews

John Adams

by Tom
  • Book Rating: 4/5

amazing

by forneyjack
  • Book Rating: 5/5

More...

Read All 39

Author Details

Author Details

McCullough, David

"David McCullough was born in 1933 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and educated there and at Yale. Author of Truman, Brave Companions, Mornings on Horseback, The Path Between the Seas, The Great Bridge, and The Johnstown Flood, he has received the Pulitzer Prize (in 1993, for Truman), the Francis Parkman Prize, and the Los Angeles Times Book Award, and is twice winner of the National Book Award, for history and for biography."