"I pity Mr. Sam Adams," his cousin John Adams wrote to his wife, "for he was born a Rebel." At virtually every juncture of the American Revolution, from the Boston Massacre and Tea Party to Lexington and Concord and the ratification of the Constitution, Samuel Adams played a forceful role. With his fiery rhetoric and religious fervor, he was in many respects the moral conscience of the new nation. "The love of liberty," he thundered, "is interwoven in the soul of man, and can never be totally extinguished."
And yet history has neglected him; today Samuel Adams is best known as a brand of beer. As relations with Great Britain healed in the nineteenth century, historians were all too willing to dismiss him as a zealot; Adams's distrust of secularism (he envisioned America as a "Christian Sparta") has not endeared him to many contemporary scholars, either. Ira Stoll's fascinating biography not only restores this figure to his rightful place in history but portrays him as a man of God whose skepticism of a powerful central government, uncompromising support for freedom of the press, concern about the influence of money on elections, voluble love of liberty, and selfless endurance in a war for freedom has enormous relevance to Americans today.
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"Well-researched and decently written biography of one of the more neglected founders of the American Republic. I remember learning about Sam Adams in elementary school, but he doesn't figure in to most narratives of American history in a very big way. The author provides an in-depth biography, and elaborates on some of Adams' qualities (his commitment to a particular region of the country, his populism) that have caused him to be somewhat neglected but that contain powerful lessons for contemporary America. The writing style was pretty good overall, but stilted in some places."
— Diane (4 out of 5 stars)
[Stoll] gives us something close to how [Adams] wanted to be remembered.
— The Boston Globe" I've always wanted to read a book on Adams but the author makes this so dry and dull I went from chapter 3 to the end and read the last 12 pages. Avoid at all costs and search for a better bio. "
— Louie, 2/20/2014" I never actualy finished this book but as far as I got into it I thought the author did a great job researching Adams and I was impressed with Adamas as a person with strong convictions. "
— Celeste, 2/12/2014" A decent account of a founder that was instrumental leader in Boston and as a member of the Continental Congress. Stoll seems to leave out some important aspects of Adam's life such as his relationship with his cousin John, while focusing too much on the religious aspects of Adam's life. Although religion was a significant factor in Adam's character, Stoll often detracts on tangents, and leaves the reader without a sense for the overall thesis. "
— Zac, 2/10/2014" An extremely readable biography of Adams. It is not meant to be comprehensive, but it is a good introduction to the man which should lead to further study through other books. Time well spent! "
— Michael, 2/1/2014" Difficult to put down, however my travel companion Donna is also fingering through pages. So we share on train rides. :) "
— PanzerBunny, 1/31/2014" Interesting book on this forgotten founding father. It was definitely a biased view, but since it was fairly obviously such, and one that I liked, I was fine with it. I enjoyed seeing the guiding force of faith in his life. "
— Jeffrey, 1/21/2014" The book filled in some history I didn't know, particularly about the biases of New England folks during those days. "
— Frode, 1/19/2014" Its interesting the details that get left out in studies of history and how much this man has disappeared, yet he was very important. to quote his famous cousin "Without the character of Samuel Adams, the true history of the American Revolution can never be written." "
— Judy, 1/9/2014" Good information. Kind of dwells on the religion a bit too much. "
— Murray, 1/3/2014" I never knew how much of a part Samuel Adams took in the revolutionary war. How is he kept secret. This man was a giant in our nations history "
— Hal, 12/29/2013" A short biography, clearly written by a fan and admirer of Samuel Adams. Not a bad book, but I prefer my biographies to be more nuanced in their views. "
— Mike, 11/25/2013" Colorful man of emotion. I enjoyed this book for the overview. Not the smoothest read. "
— Michael, 11/13/2013" This is a pretty good book although the author had to face challenges not found in researching other founders. Namely, Sam Adams periodically burned all his papers! I've done a complete review here "
— Martin, 9/4/2013" This isn't quite a page turner, but it's a great look into the mind and deeds of one of the first Sons of Liberty. If you want to understand a little more about how the country came to be, this is a good read. "
— Rick, 8/29/2013" Very good book about a a founding father that many have put on the back burners of history. He should be given more credit for contribution to our beginnings. "
— Doug, 7/30/2013" I knew Samuel Adams was instrumental in the American Revolution. What I did not know that, from this writer's perspective, if there had been no Sam Adams, we'd probably still be British citizens! "
— Erin, 2/17/2013" Terrific story of Samuel Adam's huge contribution to the formation of the USA and the sacrifices he endured. Presents a clear and missing chapter in the history of America. "
— William, 9/25/2011" I will not apologize for 5 stars, though it seems so many don't think this book deserves much of any compliment at all. Personally I couldn't put it down. I loved the quotes, loved this book. "
— Derek, 12/11/2010" I've always wanted to read a book on Adams but the author makes this so dry and dull I went from chapter 3 to the end and read the last 12 pages. Avoid at all costs and search for a better bio. "
— Louie, 9/28/2010" I never actualy finished this book but as far as I got into it I thought the author did a great job researching Adams and I was impressed with Adamas as a person with strong convictions. "
— Celeste, 9/21/2010" Its interesting the details that get left out in studies of history and how much this man has disappeared, yet he was very important. to quote his famous cousin "Without the character of Samuel Adams, the true history of the American Revolution can never be written." <br/> <br/> "
— Judy, 8/23/2010" Terrific story of Samuel Adam's huge contribution to the formation of the USA and the sacrifices he endured. Presents a clear and missing chapter in the history of America. "
— William, 8/9/2010" Excellent book to read!! Samuel definitely played the most influential role in the Revolutionary War. "
— Hannah, 4/14/2010" I knew Samuel Adams was instrumental in the American Revolution. What I did not know that, from this writer's perspective, if there had been no Sam Adams, we'd probably still be British citizens! "
— Erin, 12/19/2009" Interesting book on this forgotten founding father. It was definitely a biased view, but since it was fairly obviously such, and one that I liked, I was fine with it. I enjoyed seeing the guiding force of faith in his life. "
— Jeffrey, 6/21/2009Ira Stoll is editor of FutureOfCapitalism.com and the author of Samuel Adams: A Life. From 2002 to 2008 he was vice president and managing editor of the New York Sun. Previously, he served as Washington correspondent and managing editor of the Forward, as North American editor of the Jerusalem Post, and as president of the Harvard Crimson.
Paul Boehmer is an American actor best known for his numerous appearances in the Star Trek universe, in addition to Frasier, Judging Amy, Guiding Light, and All My Children. He is a 1992 Masters of Fine Arts graduate of the Professional Theater Training Program at the University of Delaware. As a narrator, Paul has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as an Audie Award.
Paul Boehmer is an American actor best known for his numerous appearances in the Star Trek universe, in addition to Frasier, Judging Amy, Guiding Light, and All My Children. He is a 1992 Masters of Fine Arts graduate of the Professional Theater Training Program at the University of Delaware. As a narrator, Paul has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as an Audie Award.