Oxford University Press
368 Pages
I have discovered that the books about John Adams seem to be much more personable than the ones about George Washington. The mystique and worship surrounding the idea of our first President seem to have stripped away the man Washington rather than amplify him. Fortunately, on two fronts, Washington’s person is beginning to be re-explored beyond the traditional deification, and John Adams seems to get a much better treatment regarding his personality. Perhaps it is because Adams had so much of his writings saved for posterity while Washington did not. At any rate, with The Education of John Adams by R.B. Bernstein, we get another glimpse into the life of our second President.
R.B. Bernstein is a professor of law, giving us a point of view from a standpoint where the legal career of John Adams can be explored in how it shaped his views and beliefs as he faced the spectre of taking on the British empire. This is a new point of view when it comes to the exploration of Adams’ life. With the insight of knowing and understanding the law and how it’s changed over the years, Bernstein explores the place John Adams had in it.
After graduating from Harvard and interning to begin his legal career, John Adams hung his shingle and rode the legal circuit near his home in Massachusetts. He was a capable and intelligent lawyer, despite the simple mistake that sunk his first case. When it came to John Adams, he was clear on his principles and convictions. This helped to define him as a trustworthy man, dedicated to following the rule of law. He had a very distinct perception of what was right and wrong, for better or for worse.
In the moments leading up to the American Revolution, it was his convictions to the law that brought him into the courtroom to help defend the soldiers who sparked the Boston Massacre. By this time, he already displayed leanings toward independence from the crown, as were many others in Boston. This fervor was exacerbated by the shooting by the Custom House. Part of Adams’ selection to the defense team was a ploy by the British authorities to give the proceedings an air of balance and to show the colonists that the crown was benevolent. They knew Adams would follow the law, which would temper hostilities, no matter the outcome.
The legal mind of John Adams was instrumental in the formation of our early Republic. His appointment to the Continental Congress and his work as an ambassador in France and England relied heavily upon his legal training and his strong convictions. It didn’t make him very many friends, especially among the French delegations, both foreign and domestic. Although considered by even his opponents as passionate, his quick temper often got the best of his. His enemies were quick to exploit that.
During his vice presidency, he was relegated to irrelevance; something which rankled him to no end. It continued into his presidency where every decision was measured against the great Washington. Added to that hurdle were the very men who were supposed to support him, covertly and overtly hindering his every move. Throughout all this, Adams attempted to draw on his legal education to propel the country forward. However, because of his irascibility, he had some occasions where his heart led rather than his head, namely the Alien and Sedition Acts. His legacy will forever be tainted by these decisions, although the measure of a man is far greater than a handful of moments.
The genius of John Adams was obviously not in his social skills. Indeed, Adams could be very unlikable. But no one could doubt his intelligence or his sincerity. Bernstein explores this, especially regarding his legal education, with his actions in the founding of the country. It gives a unique analysis of the man that had not been deeply explored before. It was a welcome change from the other books that I read on John Adams. It was refreshing.
The Education of John Adams by R.B. Bernstein was a wonderful addition to my Presidential Reading Project. It was such a change from the other books I’ve read so far in this project that it was riveting and easy to read. I think it makes for a great followup to the other traditional biographies of Adams. I would still read the others first, and then read this book. It will give you a better understanding of what you’ve already read. This is a book that deserves more attention for its deep dive into the life of John Adams.
Craig Bacon wishes more historians rather than acolytes wrote biographies. They’re so much more unbiased in their views.
NEXT UP: A View From Abroad:The Story of John & Abigail Adams in Europe by Jeanne E. Adams