Abigail Adams

by Phyllis Lee Levin

Wife of one president and mother of another, Abigail Adams was an extraordinary woman living at an extraordinary time in American history. A tireless letter writer and diarist, her penetrating and often caustic impressions of most of the major persons of her day--including Ben Franklin, George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and King George III, among others--provide one of the best first-hand accounts of the American Revolution. This biography, researched and written over a fourteen-year period, is a fascinating portrait of a brilliant woman at the center of the founding of the American republic.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, American Revolution, American History, Biography Memoir, Feminism

592 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Phyllis Lee Levin is an author who has been a reporter, editor, and columnist for The New York Times.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The life of America’s second first lady is told in great part through the lives of others, by way of the many letters written to and by Abigail Adams.

A political force trapped in a woman’s body, Abigail was limited in influence by the times in which she lived, but that didn’t stop her from expressing herself in ways that would reflect in multiple presidents, two of them her husband and son. Phyllis Levin does a great job of piecing together her story from papers available at time of publication (more is accessible now), and revealing the character of this strong wife and founding mother.

At times, Abigail Adams reads more like a biography of the other people in her life. The bulk of material that tells her story gives us her reactions to the deeds of men who shaped the country’s earliest years, and her concerns for the women of other homes, near and afar.

Levin successfully demonstrates how fearless her subject was: Unfazed by kings, queens, or presidents; stoic in war and political defeat; survivor of painful solitude and of harrowing travels. Abigail Adams: patriot and protector.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, formidably researched. Levin takes one alongside Abigail Adams whose life and interests happen to intertwine with the birth of the United States. Her inner circles were peopled by figures whose stature will endure for centuries. Inevitable, then, is an erudite picture of the development of America; such was the life of the second First Lady. Balanced in a way that more modern historical pieces lack and loathe, this is an insightful and fruitful read. A. Adams' personal and public sacrifices, essentially of one, will astound. Her sense of duty and the resolve of her faith will inspire.

Give this a read.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did this on audio and really loved it! Abigail was such a remarkable woman and key figure of our nations founding. I loved learning about her and the earliest days of the country. I was watching the HBO show John Adams at the same time and enjoyed getting to explore plot points on the show more deeply with this.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great overview of her life and beliefs, but too much extra information on the men around her - JA, JQA, TJ, etc.

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift a few years ago, but was only able to get a couple of chapters into it. The writing style which involves many quotes from actual letters written by or to Abigail Adams was a challenge. Also, it was hard for me to keep all the their friends and family members (and there were many) straight in my mind.

I recently read an extremely well written and entertaining book on John Adams by David McCullough that gave me a concise layout of the the events and people in the lives of this extraordinary couple. With this new context and the desire to reinforce my historical knowledge and timeline of their lives, I again picked up this book. It has taken me several weeks, but I am glad to have finished this biography. If you are interested in the fascinating life of this special lady, I encourage you to start elsewhere. Approach this book with at least some knowledge of the family and events, then one can enjoy and appreciate the new details and insight that this work puts forth.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book interesting, but it took many months to read. I liked the description and the details of history weaved into a pleasing narrative. But, it is a very traditional biography and chapters such as "Circumstances and connections respectable" and "Faithful are the Wounds" are not very spicy.

Still, Mrs. Adams is worth knowing. She was married to a president and mother to a president. She calls B.S. on the Virginian founding fathers for supporting slavery. She is a rigid new Englander who loves duty and worships virtue. She had problems, including drunken relatives and unhappily married children. She wrote a lot, a colonial blogger, letters and diaries. (“dark clothes were for women with dark pasts or peevish dispositions , Abigail wrote.” P. 232)

It is reassuring or depressing to know in the late 1700s, people argued about many of the same things you hear today: the national debt, how much should we be involved in foreign affairs, the biased press.

Overall, I did enjoy this book and learned some things.

[Clara · Rating 3 out of 5]

If this book is anything, it is (as far as I know) complete. This book, however, isn't just about Abigail Adams; it tells the stories of many of the Adams family, occasionally not mentioning Abigail for pages.

One thing I found helpful was that this book provided enough context about the American history of the time that with a basic knowledge of it, I was able to understand everything that was going on. Unfortunately, the same was not true for international history; with minimal context, I was often completely lost.

There were some passages that went into a lot of detail about things I didn't really care about, but with a focus on a person instead of a subject, the book unfortunately has to try to please everyone.

Thanks to my history teacher for letting me borrow her copy of this.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heart Abigail. This was an awesome, historically comprehensive, personally tender account. I saw in her life many aspects I can easily relate to, such as her struggle for balance in the personal and public, motherhood and other roles. What a great biography of a founding mother who helped birth our nation. As a bonus, I became better acquainted with a broad cast of her associates: Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Mercy Otis Warren, to name a few. At some point Abigail was on the outs with many historically famous friends. Their relationships were fallible and human. I love these people all the more for not being saints.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good that I read this book after The Wordy Shipmates. This book takes place about 100 years later, and the shipmates are still wordy. Some of the biography was interesting, but much of it was concerned with Abigail's reaction to the political machinations of the day (not what I'm interested in). Once upon a time, in one of my classes, I chose Abigail as one of the three people I'd like with me if stranded on a desert isle. After reading the book, I don't think so. She was definitely an admirable lady, but not one, I think, who would be a comfortable companion.

[Jewels · Rating 4 out of 5]

While all in all, this is an excellent biography, it might have been better to say it was a whole family tale instead of focusing on one individual member of the family. While the main part of the story is Abigail's, there are tangents where Levin takes off describing John -- which I admit is pretty par for the course, if you're writing about Abigail -- but also John Quincy and his wife Louisa. The research is in depth and well written, but if you're searching for a book that is mainly Abigail's views and adventures, then Holton is a better fit.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like historical biography as a general rule but this one left me very disappointed. While Levin clearly has done her research, she wasn't up to getting the most out of it. Abigail Adams is one of the most interesting women in our history, but I really found myself often bored. The story skipped around and was repetitive. There are certainly better books if you want to learn of this amazing lady's life.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I'm only adding this to my list of books because it made such a great impact on me. I read it while pregnant in 1989. I was so impressed with Abigail Adams, a woman WAY ahead of her time, that I named my daughter, Abigail, after Abigail Adams. What a phenominal woman! When I grow up, I want to be as pro-active, smart, and as extraordinary as Abigail Adams was.

[Tcufrog04 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the excerpts from Abigail's letters to family and friends. I thought the author occasionally lost focus on Abigail and focused more on her husband, but since they were so involved and attached to each other I don't think it was a flaw in the story. Overall, I think this book is a good overview of Abigail's interesting life.

[Doug · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is well-written but never interested me much. At times, it was a day-by-day narrative of the domestic concerns of the Adams household. Long excerpts from letters to/from friends and relatives fill the pages. Most of those letters sounded little different from the ones I've found digging through old family desks and drawers. Some people will love it. I couldn't finish it.

[Jenn Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living in that time period, people in general; women in particular had to be strong in mind, body and spirit. Abigail Adams fit that bill. It is a good book but anticipate lessons in history along the way. Without a deep interest in history, boredom tends to sneak up on the reader. Abigail certainly helped the growth of women, as well as, that of our unique country.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Levin is thorough in her research but lacks the interesting tidbits I like to read in the footnotes. Adams character remains distant despite or because of the details.
One funny to tell on myself: the first time I attempted to read this book was right after watching HBO' s series Adams. I had to put the book away until I ceased hearing Laura Linney's voice as Abigail.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've actually read this book twice but the second time didn't make it any more understandable. Sometimes the book gets to bogged down with trying to get the sense of Adams' words that it makes it confusing and with a lack of flow.

[Graceann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please see my review at Amazon.com: Grace's Abigail Adams Review

Please click that my review was helpful at Amazon so that my rating continues to climb!

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ms. Levin has done an excellent job in her research. The problem is that after reading David McCullogh's book "John Adams," Ms. Levin just does not develop her material into as interesting a format as Mr. McCullogh achieved. Her book reads more like a history lesson rather than a life story.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

a brave woman way ahead of her times. She was one strong, smart lady. It was a joy to read a story of the woman behind the president for that day and age. The issues she faced and endured, that made her stronger.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abigail Adams is a great example of an early woman in charge. She never accepted the place of a woman as simply being mother, wife and homemaker. Abigail Adams was a leader who had the ears of the political leaders of her time and exercised wisdom and influence upon those around her.

[Kyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

A well researched, well put together book, given what I'm sure are fairly limited sources. But it really wasn't the book for me, and definitely isn't one of my favorite biographies. That said, the connection to Sherburne, NY, made my day.

[Jcurmudge · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a woman!!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. If you like biographies, this is a good one

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made Abigail Adams become my heroine.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved learning more about one of the very influential women in our nation's history.

[Lisa Kasper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading about one of the Founding Mothers of our Country. The style of writing is a bit...Colonial. That took some getting used to, but otherwise a good read.

[Rissi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a woman! Lived with, and without, her difficult husband. She had stamina, courage, and a fine mind.

[Sandie V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very forward thinking woman. Impressed by her and enjoyed the book

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book on Abigail Adams and her family. It was a great historical window in to there lives and the hardship they had back then.