The Education of John Adams

The Education of John Adams is the first biography of John Adams by a legal professional that explores his origins in colonial Massachusetts, education, and struggle to choose a career and define a place in colonial society. It also explores his involvement in the American Revolution, his commitment to constitutionalism, and his role in launching the government of the United States under the U.S. Constitution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 14 June 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The Education of John Adams, written by a biographer with legal training, is the first comprehensive biography of John Adams. It delves into his origins in colonial Massachusetts, his education, and his journey to establish himself in colonial society. The book explores Adams's flourishing legal career, the profound influence of law on his self-understanding, his active involvement in the American Revolution as a polemicist, lawyer, congressional delegate, and diplomat, and his unwavering commitment to shaping and advancing ideas about constitutionalism. It traces his significant role in establishing the United States government under the U.S. Constitution, his service as the nation's first vice president and second president, and his retirement years, during which he transitioned from a vexed and rejected ex-president to becoming the revered Sage of Braintree. The book vividly portrays the relationships that sustained Adams, including his profound bond with his wife, the brilliant and eloquent Abigail Adams; his close connections with his children; his alliances with influential figures such as Benjamin Rush and John Marshall; his friendships with Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson; as well as his occasional conflicts and rivalries with individuals like Alexander Hamilton and Timothy Pickering. Bernstein establishes Adams as a pivotal figure in the evolution of American constitutional theory and practice. This biography also delves into Adams's complex and nuanced thoughts on slavery and race within the American context, challenging the mythic portrayal of him as a champion of human equality and a foe of slavery. The foundation of this book lies in the extensive record left by Adams himself, encompassing diaries, letters, essays, pamphlets, and books, providing a rich and detailed account of his life and thoughts.

Dimension: 210 x 140 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197622759