Descent from Glory: Four Generations of the John Adams Family

by Paul C. Nagel

There has never been any doubt that the Adams family was America's 1st family in politics and memory. This well-researched and insightful book is a multigenerational biography of that family from the founder John through the mordant writer Brooks.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, American History, Politics, Presidents, Biography Memoir

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[GoldGato]

There can be no happiness in public life if the individual is guided by virtue and morals.

That sentence is a perfect summation of John Adams, who is easily the most overlooked and under-rated of all the Founding Fathers of the United States. He didn't engage in get-nasty campaigns, as fellow revolutionary Jefferson did. He didn't build internal empires to reward cronies for political support. He was, simply, a man who felt a leader should do the right thing. Conflicted with the need to be in politics but always longing to live as a farmer, John Adams was the Cincinnatus of his time. Without him, there would be no American Revolution, and that is that.

He passed his uneasiness with the public stage to his brilliant son, John Quincy Adams, who also became a President of the United States and is considered to be the greatest diplomat in American history (J.Q.A. is also rated as having the highest IQ of any President). A third generation, led by Charles Francis Adams, also tried to walk the public/private tightrope while the fourth generation gave us Henry Adams, America's greatest historian. That is what I would call a rather illustrious family (the Kennedy and Bush families pale by comparison).

Author Paul Nagel begins with John Adams and introduces us to each son, grandson, and great-grandson. The history is informative, particularly the sad demises of at least one tragic sibling in each generation, as alcoholism via the maternal line of Abigail Adams ran through the Puritan blood. The research is outstanding and it is a lot to digest, but I have a hearty appetite for all things Adams right now and this is an excellent book from whence to begin the long journey.

Book Season = Autumn (is there any other season for New England?)

[Judy]

A multi-generalization look at the family of John and Abigail Adams that is incredibly informative and highly readable. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in early American history.

[Susan O]

The four generations of the Adams family beginning with John Adams are a fascinating group of people, many of whom are unknown beyond former Presidents John Adams and his son John Quincy. Even they are often seen only as one-term failed Presidents who are overshadowed by their successors Jefferson and Jackson, but both John and John Quincy had many other successes to their credit, especially in the area of diplomacy. However this book is not specifically about them but about their family dynasty. For four generations the Adams family served their country, if not through public service, through their writings and Nagel manages to capture the nature of the dynasty in a brief 400 pages.

The story is not a happy one and is filled with successes, failures and brilliant minds, but also difficult personalities, and tortured souls. Although biographical sketches are given for most of the direct descendants, there is no way that each individual can be shown thoroughly within the pages of one book. But I think Nagel does a marvelous job of fairly representing both the strengths and weaknesses of each with a view to explaining the family dynamics. And this is what I think the book should be read for. Nagel puts their lives in context, but it helps to have an overall understanding of the times and of John and John Quincy's places in the history of the country.

I was also pleased to see that the ladies that married into the family weren't left out, even though they aren't the main focus. However, I'm still looking forward to The Adams Women: Abigail and Louisa Adams, Their Sisters and Daughters by Nagel. This was a used bookstore find for me and a wonderful surprise. I highly recommend it.

[Laura Petto]

I'm getting this today. Very, very, VERY excited.

[Sarah]

Great book; such a fascinating and sad family.

[Beth]

"The history of my family in not a pleasant one to remember...It is one of...extraordinary brilliancy and deep corroding mortification." Charles Francis Adams (son of JQA)
Goodness! Paul Nagel does not hesitate in telling of the tragedies, physical and emotional that tormented the Adams family through four generations. It was hard to read how difficult my heroes John and Abigail Adams could be as human beings, and it was a negative view of humanity and a sense of duty to save it that sparked their genius. This is a brilliant family's biography, and it is told brilliantly.

[Albert Meier]

A marvelous look that the family that produced 2 one-term presidents, diplomats and first-rate scholars. Family life takes center-stage to the extent that there are very few details of John and John Quincy's presidencies. I wouldn't recommend this as an introduction to the Adamses, but it certainly explores the depth of their character and home life beyond other histories.

[Elizabeth]

I loved this book when I read it eons ago. Interesting to see how and why some of John and Abigail Adams decedents made an impact on a fledgling United States and others stumbled or chose a quiet and less engaged live. Because of the copious letter writing of the day, this is a well researched and compelling read.

[Stephen]

Just incredible. An accessible and scholarly book that gives you a firm understanding, and affection for, this diverse American family.

[Susan Greene]

I have read this book more slowly than any other I can remember and enjoyed every word: many lessons about many things, especially family dynamics. Lifestyles change, emotions don't.

[Patricia Fisher]

Very interesting with a detailed family history of a brilliant but troubled family. Definitely not
An easy read.
O

[Donna]

Interesting study in the genealogy of one of our first families. The title says it all.

[Jim Gallen]

To many the Adams Family consists of John, Abigail and John Quincy, but that is only the start of the story. It is the story of a dynasty that played a major role in American history for a century and a half. “Descent From Glory” introduces us to that amazing genealogical tale.

This book covers four generation. The first is John, promoter of independence, congressman, diplomat, first vice-president and second president and Abigail, his faithful life partner who is, perhaps the first great woman in American history. The highlight of the second generation is John Quincy who, like his father, served as member of congress, diplomat and president, and shared some of the same qualities that irritated his contemporaries. John Quincy ended his career as Old Man Eloquent, the abolitionist of the House of Representatives. That was not the end of the story as his son, Charles Francis, would be the third in a row to serve as ambassador to the Court of St. James. While earlier generations served in eras of peace, it was Charles Francis who represented America’s interests in Britain during the Civil War with its issues of the Trent Affair, and the potential recognition of and sale of raiders to the Confederacy. The fourth generation had broader representation with Charles Francis, Jr. as a reformer of railroads, Henry and Brooks as historians and, in Henry’s case, political commentator, and John Quincy II as a political dilettante.

The title is a bit harsh in characterization of its judgement on the Adams Family. Perhaps a more descriptive title would be Adaptions of a Family. Author Paul C. Nagel describes a family that first found its place in politics but adapted to changes in America as it drew away from politics to industry, scholarship and social commentary.

The distinguishing feature of this tome is the focus it places on the Adams Family as a family, with its pride and heartbreak, successes and failures, loves and resentments. I have only mentioned the highlights but its years were crossed by alcoholism, suicides and failures to meet the ideals set for its founder. While individual biographies are helpful, it is worthwhile to read a book that ties them all together into an organic whole. “Descent From Glory” accomplishes that in spectacular fashion.

[TyLean]

The book gets increasingly better as the characters become more interesting. I would rate the first half of the book 2 stars and the second half 4 stars. Henry and Brooks are the real saving grace (of the book and family), and I think it should be called Descent to Glory rather than from Glory.

[Cws]

92A

[Nancy]

In four generations the Adams family underwent challenges which diminished their importance. No different from families we see today.