David McCullough

At last we have a popular, critically praised book that will, if there is any justice in the universe of American history, rehabilitate the image of one of our greatest individuals. The author has not only written a book that reads, pleasurably, like a novel, but he has been slavishly faithful to the written record of Adams himself, ensuring an account that does not speculate but presents Adams as he was and should be remembered.

Most instructive, however, was the manner in which the author placed Adams at the top of the list in terms of his contributions to Independence. Not only was he there at the creation, but he was instrumental in the selection of Washington to head the army and Jefferson to construct the Declaration of Independence. As the author states, had his contributions been limited to those two areas, he would be worth remembering as a great man.

As a matter of personal interest, I was struck by Adams' written Constitution for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In that influential and presently ignored document, Adams gave us a blueprint of what our nation was to become: the separation of powers, and independent judiciary, and a strong executive. Moreover, he declared, much to the joy of progressives everywhere, that the federal government is duty-bound to promote education and intellectual pursuits. In an age of increasing privatization of every aspect of our lives, such idealism is both refreshing and bold.

Without giving away too much, let it be said that this book is, without question, a modern masterpiece of historical biography. I came to know Adams and the times in which he lived in a way I never thought possible. I now have the greatest respect for John Adams, a statesman deserving of the highest commemoration in our culture. One day, perhaps, there will be the physical evidence in our landscape to cherish this wonderful man from Massachusetts.