Abigail Adams: A Life

by Woody Holton

Paperback, 2010

Status

Available

Genres

Publication

Atria Books (2010), Edition: 1, 512 pages

Description

Prof. Woody Holton (NBA-finalist for Unruly Americans) reveals that American icon Abigail Adams was far wiser and wilier than previously known.

User reviews

LibraryThing member JBD1

I'm acknowledged in this book, so I can't really "review" it as such; consider this a hearty recommendation. It's one of the best biographies I've ever had the privilege to read, being at once pleasantly readable and also carefully researched. It breaks much new ground in pointing out the important

role Abigail's financial prowess played in creating the family's fiscal stability: "it may be that if [John Adams'] financial records had survived the ravages of time as well as his correspondence did," Holton writes on p. 277, "they would show his wife making a larger contribution to the family's wealth than he did." A remarkable statement, perhaps, but not if you know Abigail as Holton reveals her.

Absolutely one of the top biographies of 2009, by far.

Show Less

2 more

LibraryThing member Auj

I have been fascinated with Abigail Adams for years and really enjoyed this book. One thing about reading it on the Kindle is it seemed to take forever to read! I would read and see that I had only read 2% of the book. I was nearing 62% and was reading about her death and wondered what the rest of

the 40% was going to be about when the book ended. The last 38% was footnotes, acknowledgements, sources and so forth. I clicked through all of them so my book would show 100%, otherwise, in a few months I would see that I had only read 62% of the book and wonder why I hadn't finished it!

Show Less

LibraryThing member ValerieAndBooks

A fascinating look at Abigail Adams. Most of us know about her “Remember the Ladies” appeal to her husband. This bio also shows her financial astuteness in spite of women having little legal power in that arena. She often advised other women (especially her sisters) on how to be financially

stable after marriage and preparation for their possible widowhood — this was at a time when men generally had financial control but for some loopholes. Abigail Adams was definitely a woman ahead of her times.

Show Less

Fewer