Abigail Adams: A Biography

by Janet Whitney

Abigail Adams' rise from parson's daughter to First Lady and the tumultuous events of the American Revolution are chronicled through extensive use of her letters. This epistolic history affords the reader a fascinating insiders' view of her vital role in these seminal events and her close relationship to other movers and shakers of the day.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Womens

358 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2002

About the author

Janet Payne Whitney (1894-1974) was an English Quaker author. She was the author of at least four biographies: Geraldine S. Cadbury; Elizabeth Fry, Quaker Heroine; John Woolman, American Quaker; and Abigail Adams. She also wrote five novels: Jennifer, Judith, Intrigue in Baltimore, The Quaker Bride, and The Ilex Avenue.

Reviews

[Chloe Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is very boring, but the positive is that the reader feels as if they have accomplished something once they hit the last page. It did shed some light on some very interesting things about the Adams family. However, the author did add her own opinion to the book a lot. The book contains parts of letters, then the Autor goes on to tell the reader what the writer was thinking when they wrote the letter. I don't understand how she knows what a person who died one hundred years before the book was written was thinking. The book also bounces back and forth from reading like a novel to reading like a text book. This is confusing because I don't know what is reality and what has been added to give personality to the characters. In the end, it gave me the feeling that I needed to study more about the family because I wasn't sure what parts were history and which were her personal opinions.

[Streator Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not a bad biography as biographies go. And for being written in the 1940s, it had a fairly positive viewpoint of Ms. Adams. But it was kinds of slow going getting through the book.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this portrayal of a typically New England woman. Her practicality and sensibility, as well as her intelligence make her a fascinating person, well-suited to be the wife/companion to John Adams, as well as a First Lady of the new nation of America. I would have loved for the book to have covered all of her life, from birth to death, especially the years as wife of the United States President. Her wisdom, charm, grace and wit, as well as her genuine love of people, would have permitted her to be a true asset to her husband and her budding country.

It is interesting to read this while periodically watching the movie 1776, for they cover some of the same portions of their lives, during the months in which the Declaration of Independence was hewn into a coherent statement of purpose and intention of the new government was being set up. Communication between the Adamses was frequent and frank, and of great worth to the couple as they supported and encouraged each other. I next intend to read David McCullough's book John Adams in an attempt to understand this couple and the intentions of the men and women who founded this great experiment of a republican government.

Abigail Adams is a woman I admire greatly. She was a liberated woman before such a term was ever invented! Her husband trusted her to take care of the family and property while he was in Philadelphia creating a new goverment. He relied on her wisdom and understanding of the principles upon which this country was founded. Abby was able to see through the trees to the forest, so to speak. She was not distracted by petty and insignificant attitudes or items: she did not want to "over-engineer" the Declaration of Independence. She was not a "nit-picker."

Abigail Adams had her husband's legal power of attorney to take care of business matters at home, and John had no qualms about her doing what would be best for the family. She hired and fired farm hands. She managed a household full of children and various servants. She kept up with the local news and the attitudes of King George III in London, and she passed them on to John. He often praised her for her wise handling of home matters and carried on deep discussions by mail regarding the creation of a new government, something never having been conceived before.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I would have loved to have been a neighbor to Abby! I admire her greatly.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick look at life of an extraordinary woman. I usually like a bit more depth and details to biographies. However, I really learned a lot from reading about Abigail as a mother. She wasn't afraid to let her children spread their wings, no matter what it might mean for her personally. Taught me a lot about the type of mother I want to be. A good read for someone who wants a basic look into our Second First Lady.

[David Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a bit dated as it is from 1947 but I enjoyed learning more about one of my favorite Americans. Abigail's insights into the personalities and events surrounding the founding of our country are priceless.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent reading of Abigail Adams before settling down with John and raising his children. If you liked John Adams by David McCullough, you'll like this

[Glesnertod · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt this to be more about John and the Issues of the American Revolution that about Abigail.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

She was quite the woman and wife. Her love affair with her husband was one to admire except for a tryst with Tom???

[Eliz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book uses extensive quotes from the actual letters of the Adams family, and gives a wonderful view of the their personalities in a way just writing the facts can't.

[Martha Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the middle of the worst heat wave in recent New England history, I am gaining even more respect for the women before us. If you want a definitively researched AAdams bio, this is it.

[Amy Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible research - rather detailed. Author made use of the extensive record of their letters.

[Barb Ruess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most engaging of biographies BUT I really liked how the author used so much of Abigail's actual correspondence to write the book. She was really quite an interesting, impressive woman.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!