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Passionate Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams Audiobook
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(4.03) - 417 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Here is a fresh look at an astute, likably quirky statesman, by the author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning Founding Brothers and the National Book Award–winning American Sphinx.
John Adams, one of the Founding Fathers of our nation and its second president, spent nearly the last third of his life in retirement, grappling with contradictory views of his place in history and fearing his reputation would not fare well in the generations after his death. And indeed, future generations did slight him, elevating Jefferson and Madison to lofty heights while Adams remained way back in the second tier. Now, in a witty, clear, and thoughtful narrative of Adams' later life at his home in Quincy, Joseph Ellis explores the mind and personality of the man, as well as the earlier events that shaped his thinking. Listeners will discover Adams to be both contentious and lovable, generous and petty, and perhaps the most intellectually profound of the revolutionary generation, whose perspective on America's prospects has relevance for us today.
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"John Adams is one of U.S. history's more engaging characters. Ellis does a great job describing Adam's passion and wisdom as he helped with the founding of our Nation. A great book though I found David McCullough's book on John Adams a little more moving. "
— Steve (5 out of 5 stars)
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“His best book…Ellis’ knack for bringing historical figures to life seems so natural you can’t imagine him doing anything else.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“[A] notable study.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Capture[s] the man’s appealing spirit, providing new perspective on an unfairly neglected Founding Father.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Parker narrates this intellectual tour de force with strength and wit. His unvoiced reading matches the text wonderfully. His reading presents the complexity of thought clearly.”
— Kliatt
Passionate Sage Listener Reviews
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" John Adams is one of U.S. history's more engaging characters. Ellis does a great job describing Adam's passion and wisdom as he helped with the founding of our Nation. A great book though I found David McCullough's book on John Adams a little more moving. "
— Steve, 1/18/2014 -
" A must if you love history "
— Diane, 1/8/2014 -
" This is an insightful and interesting study of Adam's charatcer. I enjoyed the book and it was easy to read, despite the fact that some times history books can be dry. Well worth reading. "
— David, 1/3/2014 -
" I find Joseph Ellis to be a lot more even handed towards Mr. Adams than is the ever popular David McCullough, whom I find to have a little too much pollyanna in him. "
— Chris, 1/2/2014 -
" I've read many books about President Adams and have enjoyed his writing as well. This book was a very nice change of pace to the usual tome about him and a must for any Adams' fan's library. "
— Glenda, 12/25/2013 -
" It is a vivid recounting of an uncertain period of history. It is well written, entertaining, and educational. "
— Eric, 12/13/2013 -
" Great book. Eli's has done a great job of telling a story of one of our unappreciative president, "
— Manie, 12/9/2013 -
" Many know little of John Adams in his retirement years. Ellis focuses upon a time of Adams's life that was no less interesting than his earlier years. The Adams-Jefferson correspondence is always an interesting study. "
— Rusty, 10/17/2013 -
" In my opinion, Joseph Ellis approaches history with the mindset of a psychologist and I find this a unique and refreshing perspective. "
— Kevin, 7/25/2013 -
" Second to McCullough. "
— John, 3/5/2013 -
" When I get overwhelmed at my job, I think of John Adams. A man in the wrong place at the wrong time. To take on the role of President after George Washington, who was practically idolized! Jefferson was no fool! "
— Scott, 11/15/2012 -
" Excellent, excellent, excellent! A new found appreciation regarding John Adams after reading this book. A wonderful portrait of the Sage of Quincy. "
— John, 10/19/2012 -
" Great, albeit brief, book about our 2nd president. "
— Rob, 4/25/2012 -
" One of my favorites at this time. Simone characterized Ellis's style as dry humor, and that's about right, but I love the way he writes. Who knew I could become BFF's with one of the founding fathers but Ellis made me love Adams. "
— Nino, 2/11/2012 -
" Adams and Jefferson...what a pair! "
— Matthew, 4/3/2011 -
" Oh that scamp John Adams! "
— Emily, 2/20/2011 -
" Interesting survey on the 2nd president of the US. It certainly sucked for Adams to be the next president after the best one of all time (GW), but you learn a lot about Adams' reasoning and intelligence during his years in politics. "
— Dave, 1/15/2011 -
" A wonderful book on my favorite founder. "
— Jim, 12/26/2010 -
" I've read many books about President Adams and have enjoyed his writing as well. This book was a very nice change of pace to the usual tome about him and a must for any Adams' fan's library. "
— Glenda, 10/14/2010 -
" When I get overwhelmed at my job, I think of John Adams. A man in the wrong place at the wrong time. To take on the role of President after George Washington, who was practically idolized! Jefferson was no fool! "
— Scott, 2/2/2010 -
" A wonderful book on my favorite founder. "
— Jim, 7/24/2009 -
" One of my favorites at this time. Simone characterized Ellis's style as dry humor, and that's about right, but I love the way he writes. Who knew I could become BFF's with one of the founding fathers but Ellis made me love Adams. "
— Nino, 6/6/2009 -
" A must if you love history "
— Diane, 7/11/2008 -
" In my opinion, Joseph Ellis approaches history with the mindset of a psychologist and I find this a unique and refreshing perspective. "
— Kevin, 6/9/2008 -
" I find Joseph Ellis to be a lot more even handed towards Mr. Adams than is the ever popular David McCullough, whom I find to have a little too much pollyanna in him. "
— Chris, 1/29/2008 -
" This is an insightful and interesting study of Adam's charatcer. I enjoyed the book and it was easy to read, despite the fact that some times history books can be dry. Well worth reading. "
— David, 11/21/2007
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 Grover Gardner
Grover Gardner (a.k.a. Tom Parker) is an award-winning narrator with over a thousand titles to his credit. Named one of the “Best Voices of the Century” and a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, he has won three prestigious Audie Awards, was chosen Narrator of the Year for 2005 by Publishers Weekly, and has earned more than thirty Earphones Awards.