John Adams, one of the founding fathers of America and its second president, spent much of his life in retirement grappling with views of his place in history and fearing his reputation would not fare well in the generation after his death. In an incomplete autobiography, in numerous publications and in his voluminous correspondence with Thomas Jefferson and others, he railed against those who disagreed with or slighted his contribution to American political foundations. This narrative explores the mind and personality of the man as well as the events that shaped his thinking. Adams is shown to be both contentious and lovable, generous and petty, and the most intellectually profound of the revolutionary generation, a man whose perspective on America's prospects is still relevant today.

Passionate Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams