Overview

The Pulitzer Prize-winning, best-selling author of Founding Brothers and His Excellency brings America's preeminent first couple to life in a moving and illuminating narrative that sweeps through the American Revolution and the republic's tenuous early years. John and Abigail Adams left an indelible and remarkably preserved portrait of their lives together in their personal correspondence: both Adamses were prolific letter writers (although John conceded that Abigail was clearly the more gifted of the two), and over the years they exchanged more than twelve hundred letters. Joseph J. Ellis distills this unprecedented and unsurpassed record to give us an account both intimate and panoramic; part biography, part political history, and part love story.

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9780739377833

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Reviews

Written with the grace and style one expects from the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Founding Brothers . . . John Adams could not have a better biographer. <br>--Annette Gordon-Reed, The Los Angeles Times <br> The author's fluid style penetrates a correspondence studded with classical references, political dish, felicitous turns of phrases and unvarnished pleadings of affection and anxiety. America's first power couple enjoyed, teased and rescued each other during 54 years of marriage. <br>--John E. Lazarus, Newark Star-Ledger <br> Ellis's strength is his ability to portray historical icons as real human beings, and his talent remains sharp . . . Ellis has made himself into a sort of bard of our early Republic, and [First Family] is a fitting addition to his repertoire. <br>--Anne Bartlett, Miami Herald <br> Richly detailed . . . erudite as well as eloquent, First Family proves that bedfellows can make superior politics. <br>--Jay Strafford, Richmond Times-

Written with the grace and style one expects from the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Founding Brothers . . . John Adams could not have a better biographer. --Annette Gordon-Reed, The Los Angeles Times The author's fluid style penetrates a correspondence studded with classical references, political dish, felicitous turns of phrases and unvarnished pleadings of affection and anxiety. America's first power couple enjoyed, teased and rescued each other during 54 years of marriage. --John E. Lazarus, Newark Star-Ledger Ellis's strength is his ability to portray historical icons as real human beings, and his talent remains sharp . . . Ellis has made himself into a sort of bard of our early Republic, and [First Family] is a fitting addition to his repertoire. --Anne Bartlett, Miami Herald Richly detailed . . . erudite as well as eloquent, First Family proves that bedfellows can make superior politics. --Jay Strafford, Richmond Times-Dispatch Ellis is that rare professional historian who can eloquently convey both information and insight with remarkable clarity . . . [he] has once again given us a consistently engaging dual biography and love story as well as an insightful exploration of early American history. --Roger Bishop, Bookpage First Family invites you into a sustaining marriage that survives revolution, personal tragedies and the vicious politics of the moment. In this election year, it's valuable reading. --Peter M. Gianotti, Newsday The author's beautiful writing draws the reader wholly into this relationship, bringing new perspective to the historical importance of this enduring love story. An impeccable account of the politics, civics and devotion behind the Adams marriage. -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) In addition to looking at the strengths of the Adams' marriage, the book examines the toll taken by their years apart and the misfortunes in the lives of all their children except John Quincy. Ellis has produced a very readable history of the nation's founding as lived by these two. --Mary Ellen Quinn, Booklist Ellis's supple prose and keen psychological insight give a vivid sense of the human drama behind history's upheavals. -- Publishers Weekly From the Hardcover edition.

Author Information

"Joseph J. Elliswon the Pulitzer Prize for ""Founding Brothers."" His portrait of Thomas Jefferson, ""American Sphinx,"" won the National Book Award. He is the Ford Foundation Professor of History at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, where he lives with his wife and their youngest son. ""From the Hardcover edition."""

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