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First Family: Abigail and John Adams Audiobook
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(4.00) - 1,344 listener ratings
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The Pulitzer Prize–winning, best-selling author of Founding Brothers and His Excellency brings America’s preeminent first couple to life in a moving and illuminating narrative that sweeps through the American Revolution and the republic’s tenuous early years. John and Abigail Adams left an indelible and remarkably preserved portrait of their lives together in their personal correspondence: both Adamses were prolific letter writers (although John conceded that Abigail was clearly the more gifted of the two), and over the years they exchanged more than twelve hundred letters. Joseph J. Ellis distills this unprecedented and unsurpassed record to give us an account both intimate and panoramic; part biography, part political history, and part love story. Ellis describes the first meeting between the two as inauspicious—John was twenty-four, Abigail just fifteen, and each was entirely unimpressed with the other. But they soon began a passionate correspondence that resulted in their marriage five years later. Over the next decades, the couple were separated nearly as much as they were together. John’s political career took him first to Philadelphia, where he became the boldest advocate for the measures that would lead to the Declaration of Independence. Yet in order to attend the Second Continental Congress, he left his wife and children in the middle of the war zone that had by then engulfed Massachusetts. Later he was sent to Paris, where he served as a minister to the court of France alongside Benjamin Franklin. These years apart stressed the Adamses’ union almost beyond what it could bear: Abigail grew lonely, while the Adams children suffered from their father’s absence. John was elected the nation’s first vice president, but by the time of his reelection, Abigail’s health prevented her from joining him in Philadelphia, the interim capital. She no doubt had further reservations about moving to the swamp on the Potomac when John became president, although this time he persuaded her. President Adams inherited a weak and bitterly divided country from George Washington. The political situation was perilous at best, and he needed his closest advisor by his side: “I can do nothing,” John told Abigail after his election, “without you.” In Ellis’s rich and striking new history, John and Abigail’s relationship unfolds in the context of America’s birth as a nation.
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"Joseph Ellis continues his string of successes with another great book on the American Revolution. This book looks at the relationship between John and Abigail Adams shedding new light on how the preeminent political team and first dynasty in America shared their intimate thoughts with one another. Utilizing letters between the two, (of which we have many due to the volume of time they spent apart) as well as sources from their children, Ellis is able to paint a vibrant picture of life in early America and explore how these patriots contributed towards their cause. From the shrewd political mind of Abigail to the limitless ambitions of John's vanity we see how two people shaped the course of the United States. This book also provides a look at John Quincy Adams as the heir apparent and one who was groomed for greatness. Little has been written in depth on JQA particularly his childhood so this was a very interesting account. Overall another wonderful book and one that sheds new light on how this family operated in American history."
— Brian (4 out of 5 stars)
First Family Listener Reviews
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" Much better than I expected, given low expectations grounded both in my general dislike of John Adams (stemming from his irredeemable arrogance and my loyalty to Virginia). Less about Adams as a man (although there's plenty of that) and more about the European side of the Revolutionary War (too often ignored), the machinations of government, and the rise of political parties. "
— Christie, 2/20/2014 -
" 3.5 stars. Good book. Author did a good job of constructing their life with little surviving correspondence. At times, felt like I was reading a text book, yet overall a good read. "
— Caroline, 2/16/2014 -
" Easy to read historical perspective of an interesting relationship during the formation of our country. "
— Sarah, 2/15/2014 -
" If you like history, this is a good one. Abigail Adams is my hero; strong and smart. Great insight into their marriage,family and the beginnings of our country. "
— Anne, 2/12/2014 -
" I really like Joseph Ellis. His engaging style is both informative and entertaining. I especially liked looking at John and Abigail Adams as individuals through the prism of their marriage and relationship. I would have given this book five stars for the writing and structure, but I feel like a lot of it was stuff I already knew. I'm not sure it adds any new angles or insights into either person. Still, it's well-written and very interesting. Thank you to John and Abigail for leaving behind so many papers and letters! "
— Ashley, 1/31/2014 -
" America's first presidential couple to reside in The White House, and our quintessential couple. Best friends and completely in love, they guided each other thru the trials and tribulation of a burgeoning nation, familial success, and irrevocable heartache. "
— Eric, 1/9/2014 -
" There are many biographies of John and Abagail Adams. But this is the first one I am aware of that focuses on their relationship. Ellis gives a new perspective on John's personality and Abagail's insights. A must read for those interested in this famous couple. "
— Deborah, 1/5/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book because this is the kind of history I love - it brought John & Abigail to life and made them very real. You get a good sense of who they were and the sacrifices they both (and their family) made for the founding of this country. "
— Carrie, 12/27/2013 -
" After the Revolution it's not as exciting. Still worth reading , though. "
— Emily, 10/23/2013 -
" Again this is a great evening read... and it gave just enugh insight about other America "legends" that I would want to read more about other figures in history. "
— Rob, 10/15/2013 -
" The best part of a trip to the bookstore is finding a new Joseph Ellis book. I so enjoyed his book on Adams, making this book a welcome find indeed. I recommend all of his books. "
— Diane, 7/1/2013 -
" I learned so much about these two people and how much they influenced our history and who we are as a country today. John Adams was not always correct in his views or his predictions but was amazingly spot on more often than not. Incredible life and man "
— Sgilbert, 6/19/2013 -
" I knew buying this it would be a hard sale. All I have to say is, "David McCullough". "
— Jenny, 5/10/2013 -
" John and Abigail's letters allow Elllis to show life as it actually was lived among the revolutionary set. "
— Scott, 10/19/2012 -
" I really enjoy this period of American history, and I particularly enjoy the writing of Joseph Ellis. I found the book very engaging and I recommend it to anyone interested in the Founding Fathers and the American Revolution. "
— Maria, 10/3/2012 -
" Interesting and very informative. Tedious at times. "
— Tamara, 3/25/2012 -
" A good biography of a very close and influential couple. What a wonderful story of a strong marriage and their sacrifices at the beginning of our nation "
— Russamun82, 8/1/2011 -
" I really enjoyed the insights this book gave me into them as a couple and on their lives. I've read David McCollough's book and I do not feel one replaces the other. "
— Ed, 7/22/2011 -
" Another take on the Adams family- one.with a focus on the domestic side of their lives. Not as good as the mccullough book. "
— Kara, 6/25/2011 -
" Abigail seems like my kind of lady. "
— Ryan, 5/10/2011 -
" Insightful history of the Revolution and their marriage. Moving at times and yet still very real. Ellis' writing style is engaging without being sensational. "
— Nicole, 5/5/2011 -
" The most personal and emotional account I have read of the Adam's family. "
— Lauren, 4/4/2011 -
" Such a wonderful love story - although Ellis can be hyperbolic at times, I enjoyed this audiobook. Never realized Jefferson was such a jerk... "
— Susan, 3/5/2011 -
" An interesting, insightful look at the relationship between John and Abigail, as revealed in their letters. I used to think that Abigail was my role model for enduring long separations; I'm glad this book wasn't around 27 years ago for me to realize how hard it was for her. "
— Polly, 3/2/2011 -
" I knew buying this it would be a hard sale. All I have to say is, "David McCullough". "
— Jenny, 2/28/2011 -
" This gives a slightly different perspective on John and Abigail Adam's than the David McCullough version. Loved the book. Wish history was taught more this way than a few dry paragraphs in a textbook. I think you will like this book if you enjoy reading about history. "
— Marlene, 2/23/2011 -
" After the Revolution it's not as exciting. Still worth reading , though. "
— Emily, 2/21/2011 -
" An interesting insight into the personal lives of a couple at the center of the founding of the US. "
— Bob, 2/4/2011
About Joseph J. Ellis
Joseph J. Ellis is the New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen books, including American Sphinx, which won the National Book Award, and Founding Brothers, which won the Pulitzer Prize
About Kimberly Farr
Kimberly Farr is an actress and winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration. She has appeared on Broadway and at the New York Shakespeare Festival, the Roundabout Theatre, Playwright’s Horizons, and the American Place. She created the role of “Eve” in Arthur Miller’s first and only musical, Up from Paradise, which was directed by the author. She appeared with Vanessa Redgrave in the Broadway production of The Lady from the Sea and has acted in regional theaters across the country, including a performance in the original production of The 1940’s Radio Hour at Washington, DC’s Arena Stage.