NYU Press
295 Pages
Eight books into the John Adams portion of my Presidential Reading Project and I can already say that I am a bigger fan of our second president than I ever expected to be. The consensus seems to be that Adams was not a good president, and many historians have unfairly, in my opinion, viewed him. With both Washington and Jefferson, the hero worship overshadows everything and Adams becomes a patsy. As I read more of these books, the person that John Adams was becomes clearer and clearer. It’s easy to say that he has been relegated to the wrong side of the ledger because of this. Thankfully, he’s been getting a fresh look over the past decade or so.
A View From Abroad by Jeanne E Abrams is about John and Abigail Adams as they spent time in Europe before Adams became Vice President. From 1774 until 1784, John Adams was in France as a diplomat for the fledgling United States. In fact, he was part of the team, along with Benjamin Franklin and John Jay, to compose and agree to the Treaty of Paris that ended the American Revolution. In 1784, he was joined by his wife, Abigail, in France. Thomas Jefferson joined later, and became almost a de facto part of the Adams family. A year after Abigail arrived, John was named to be the plenipotentiary to England at the Court of St James.
John Adams was a pioneer as an ambassador for the United States. Abigail was just as instrumental as his mental support. Abigail Adams was a woman who was far ahead of her time. In many instances, she was John’s peer and advisor in many of his duties. In a time where most women were relegated to housewife and mother, with opinions often ignored by their husbands, John actively asked for her views on various important subjects. Their relationship was one of great importance in the formation of the United States. It has been overlooked for too many years.
This was one of my favorite books about John Adams. I loved reading about the relationship between the husband and wife. It was a far more modern marriage than typical for the day. Additionally, the behind the scenes look at the trials and tribulations that Adams, Jefferson, and the other ambassadors struggled with to give our new nation legitimacy were intriguing. Today, it seems like we have simply been a superpower with the greatest voice around the globe. There was a time, relatively a short time ago, where this was not true. Indeed, John and Abigail Adams were on the front lines to bring that legitimacy to our country’s image. That is part of the beauty of this book.
Jeanne E Abrams shows us those first, unbalanced and shaky steps towards the United States becoming formally recognized by other foreign governments. She juxtaposes that against the solid foundation that made up the marriage between John and Abigail Adams. Quite possibly, John Adams would not have been as great of a man as he was if he didn’t have a strong partner in life. The strength gained from this union was transformed into a strong representation by John Adams. Even through his missteps, he had the support behind him to take the risks and sacrifices in the new republic. Abrams captures this perfectly.
A View From Abroad by Jeanne E Adams is one of my favorite books about John and Abigail Adams. They come as a team. This intimate look at their marriage and the machinations in Europe to have the United States be seen as a real country was simply profound. As I finish each President in this reading project and re-evaluate the books, I am very positive that this book will be making an appearance on the curated list. This was a fantastic addition to my reading project.
Craig Bacon finds more to like about John Adams all the time. Even in his low moments, he perseveres. That’s what has been lost in the criticisms about his Presidency.
NEXT UP: Making the Presidency by Lindsay M Chervinsky