Book Description
The Letters of John and Abigail Adams provides an insightful record of American life before, during, and after the Revolution; the letters also reveal the intellectually and emotionally fulfilling relationship between John and Abigail that lasted fifty-four years and withstood historical upheavals, long periods apart, and personal tragedies. Covering key moments in American history-the Continental Congress, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and John Adams's diplomatic missions to Europe-the letters reveal the concerns of a couple living during a period of explosive change, from smallpox and British warships to raising children, paying taxes, the state of women, and the emerging concepts of American democracy.
About the Author
John Adams (1735-1826) was the Massachusetts delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses. After serving as Vice President for two terms under George Washington, he was subsequently elected President. Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818) was one of the most influential women of her era. Frank Shuffelton is a professor of English at the University of Rochester, and he edited the Penguin Classics edition of Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson.
The Letters of John and Abigail Adams FROM THE PUBLISHER
Both an intimate portrait of a colonial family and a historical record of an emerging America, the letters of John and Abigail Adams provide an important record of American life before and during the Revolution. They also give readers a window into a marriage that was an inspiring connection of mind and spirit and withstood historical upheavals, long periods of separation, and personal tragedies. John and Abigail's letters cover key periods in American history, including the Continental Congress, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and John Adams's diplomatic missions to Europe. Their discussions range from shared concerns about smallpox and British warships to lively exchanges about raising children, paying taxes, the state of women, and the emerging concepts of American democracy. Overall, these missives provide an unparalleled exploration of the seeds of American life and government.