Good history of John Adams after his serving as President and his interaction with Thomas Jefferson.

After many years and several rereadings, this remains one of my favorite books on John Adams. It is less a biography than a character study, focusing primarily on his post-presidential years and only referencing earlier times when necessary to prove a point. Although scholarship has continued and in some cases changed since the book was written (see the statement that the story about Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings was not true), and Adams has continued to get more of his due, this book remains the most personal look at the man that I have found. ( )

Ellis has done it again! Another absorbing book about one of our founding fathers. "Passionate Sage" is a very readable and fascinating exploration into Adam's complex character. Ellis explains well why Adams could be both an essential element in the Founding, yet be so unpopular in his time. Suggestion: Read David McCullough's biography of Adams first for the details of Adams' life, then read Passionate Sage for further anaylysis. (The two books were actually wirtten at about the same time with access to new materials, but Ellis' was first). ( )

4721. Passionate Sage The Character and Legacy of John Adams, by Joseph J. Ellis (read 19 Jun 2010) While some chapters in this book did not entrance, spending much time on Adams' views on aristocracy and democracy and the like, it gets better and I found its discussion of Adams' years after his presidency and of his correspondence with Jefferson and others compelling reading. His account of Adams' reputation is full of interest, and it does appear that said reputation has recovered from the long years after 1826 when he was almost forgotten. Since I had read both Page Smith's and David McCullough's biographies, I did not think I needed to read this but now I am glad I did. Ellis is a careful and astute author, and casts light on Adams' thinking which the excellent biographies did not, so far as I recollect. ( )

This book was one of those which inspired David McCullough to write his biography of Adams. Not a traditional biography, Ellis chooses to focus on small sections of Adams' personal life, particularly his correspondence with Jefferson. He reveals some keen insights about Adams (I was most intrigued by Adams' observation that men are motivated by a need for esteem--be it love, fear, etc). ( )