John Adams (The American Presidents Series, No. 2) - Hardcover

John Patrick Diggins

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0805069372 ISBN 13: 9780805069372

Publisher: Times Books, 2003

Synopsis

A revealing look at the true beginning of American politics

Until recently rescued by David McCullough, John Adams has always been overshadowed by Washington and Jefferson. Volatile, impulsive, irritable, and self-pitying, Adams seemed temperamentally unsuited for the presidency. Yet in many ways he was the perfect successor to Washington in terms of ability, experience, and popularity.

Possessed of a far-ranging intelligence, Adams took office amid the birth of the government and multiple crises. As well as maintaining neutrality and regaining peace, his administration created the Department of the Navy, put the army on a surer footing, and left a solvent treasury. One of his shrewdest acts was surely the appointment of moderate Federalist John Marshall as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Though he was a Federalist, Adams sought to work outside the still-forming party system. In the end, this would be his greatest failing and most useful lesson to later leaders.

"Diggins's slim volume offers a reconsideration of Adams, a thoughtful study of American politics of the period and Adams's legacy for today. " - Publishers Weekly

About this title

About the Author:

John Patrick Diggins is distinguished professor of history at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He is the author of numerous books, including On Hallowed Ground, The Proud Decades, The Lost Soul of American Politics, The Rise and Fall of the American Left, and Max Weber: Politics and the Spirit of Tragedy. He lives in New York City.

From AudioFile:

Our second president has captured the interest of many in the past several years due primarily to distinguished historian David McCullough's masterful biography, also titled JOHN ADAMS (2001). Diggins's smaller work, an entry in The American Presidents series, under the editorship of Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., is short on biography and long on political philosophy. Adams was a tireless writer, and Diggins sees his politics as studied, coherent, and consistent, unlike those of Thomas Jefferson, a leader whom Diggins strongly criticizes. Richard Rohan has the thankless task of bringing to life a dry narrative in which personality is scarcely featured. He contents himself with a straightforward reading. D.R.W. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About this edition

• Publisher: Times Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0805069372
• ISBN 13: 9780805069372
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 200
• Editor: Arthur M. Schlesinger