One of my favorite presidents is John Adams. That is due to this excellent biography by David McCullough, John Adams. Adams was a formative force behind the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He was a remarkable man who longed for a quiet life for his family in Massachusetts but spent years away from them because he answered the call of duty to his country.
Adams' political philosophy was largely informed by his Christianity; he was fundamentally committed to the dignity of all human beings. He was one of those who argued that slavery had to be abolished at the start of our country and knew it would be a catastrophe delayed. Adams was one of the first to propose the three-branch model of government that our Constitution laid out, a unique form that is partially responsible for the stability of the U.S. and the protection of individual freedoms. He once again rose to the challenge given him when he took up the post of ambassador to France.
Adams was a man who had no formal training or ambitions for a public life, but he had the personal resources our country needed and he served in public life for over 25 years helping to lay the foundation that has ensured our country's longevity. He was a man of exemplary character, nurturing virtue. Yet he viewed himself as a common man, a citizen who simply answered the cal of duty - the archetype of the view of man our country is built on. He was quite remarkable.
I love David McCullough's writing, and what a great voice. The recent PBS special on Adams was great also and David was a part of that. I recently finished "1776" and much enjoyed it.
I first discovered him when he narrated Ken Burn's "The Civil War" and have followed him since.
One of my favourite CSPAN moments was when he recently testified in front of a Senate committee on education and mourned the dearth of history knowledge(especially US history) and education in our public schools....
Posted by: Mike L. | February 20, 2006 at 02:27 PM
I read the same book...I was most impressed with one story about Adams in the McCullough book.
A particular newspaper publisher was writing hateful things about JA. One night this publisher's property caught fire--and who was helping lead the brigade of buckets to save the building? John Adams.
What a great example of integrity.
Posted by: Bob Mendenall | February 20, 2006 at 05:56 PM