As one of the key forces behind American Independence, John Adams' life is well worth studying to understand the shape of American government and politics. Always outspoken and often controversial, the story of Adams is the in many ways the story of the early Untied States. McCullough's account of this Founding Father shows us both the brilliant mind and devotion to the cause of liberty as well as the flawed man behind the legend and the sacrifices made by Mr. Adams and his family in his single minded pursuit of his dream.

McCullough's examination of Adams portrays a man of outstanding integrity and devotion to his ideals often comparing him with Jefferson and Franklin, with whom his life was inextricably entwined. In all cases, Adams outshines them all. Even in his latter years as the Second President of the United States where his more irascible nature and his desire to see the better side of men led to many of his detractors calling him insane or worse. McCullough tries to get to the core of the man and show us his love of country and his wife Abigale, without whom John Adams wouldn't have been half the man he was.