An intriguing portrait of one of America's most famous couples.
John Adams was an American patriot and Founding Father, and Abigail, his wife, was his most trusted advisor for more than fifty years. While John served in both Continental Congresses, Abigail managed their farm within earshot of cannon fire. She later advised her husband through amusing letters as he served as our first ambassador to Great Britain. And when John was elected America's first vice president, Abigail vowed to be his "fellow Laborer"-and she steadfastly lived up to her promise.
If you're looking for a quality picture book to give to a young friend, the name of David A. Adler should be high on your list. He has written well over 100 books for young readers - our favorites among those are in his Picture Book Biography series. These books not only educate but entertain - Adler brings history to life, an initial introduction for many.
A PICTURE BOOK OF JOHN AND ABIGAIL ADAMS is Adler at his best, and also the fourth collaboration between father and son. We first meet Adams as one of three sons living in Braintree (now Quincy) Massachusetts. It was here that he enjoyed being out of doors, whether it was swimming in the summer or sledding in the winter.
As a young man he went with a friend to the home of Reverend William Smith, which was where he met Abigail who was "small, sickly, and just fourteen." Their initial meeting didn't impress either one of them but as John continued to come to the Smith house to borrow books from Reverend Smith's library their feelings changed. As we now know they married, and Abigail was "his most trusted adviser, his dearest friend for more than fifty years."
Adler traces their lives together through the Boston Massacre in 1770 and following when John displayed great skill as a lawyer. He soon represented Massachusetts at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, and later served as a diplomat in France, spending much of the next ten years in Europe. Throughout this time Abigail managed their home and money.
Time passed, the American Revolution ended and John Adams was elected vice president serving with George Washington as president. While he was an American patriot and a great man of his time, Abigail was an amazing woman.
The book includes a list of important dates, source notes, and a selected bibliography.
Highly recommended.
- Gail Cooke
Overview
An intriguing portrait of one of America's most famous couples.
John Adams was an American patriot and Founding Father, and Abigail, his wife, was his most trusted advisor for more than fifty years. While John served in both Continental Congresses, Abigail managed their farm within earshot of cannon fire. She later advised her husband through amusing letters as he served as our first ambassador to Great Britain. And when John was elected ...