Page Smith’s two volume biography of John Adams is extensive and through while avoiding minutia that could induce boredom. Volume I covers 1735-1784, the period from Adams’ birth to the arrival of his wife, Abigail, and daughter, Nabby, to join him in the Netherlands where he was engaged in negotiating commercial treaties. Volume II covers their arrival thorough to Adams’ death, including his vice-presidency and presidency.

Although many biographies of presidents heavily on their time in that office, this one views Adams’ time as Chief Executive as merely four years, and not necessarily the most important four, in a lifetime of achievement. Adams was the great-grandson of immigrants whose family had lived in Massachusetts for 60 years before his birth. Born into a respectable family, John was provided with opportunity but had to work to advance his station. Although an aspiring farmer, his father insisted that he continue his schooling that led to a job as a teacher before he read law and was admitted to the bar. His early life was one of challenges and choices. He chose to get inoculated for smallpox, a risky and unpleasant ordeal, and pursue a career in law and politics. Although detesting British occupying forces, he undertook the legal defense to charges arising out of the Boston Massacre. Involvement in the revolutionary movement coincided with a gradual withdrawal from the legal practice. His election to the Continental Congress enabled him to play the leading role in adoption of a resolution for independence and the appointment of George Washington as Commander of the Continental Army.

Congress sent him to Europe to join Benjamin Franklin and other diplomats to negotiate loans and treaties and eventually a treaty of peace between the United States and Great Britain. Adams was so successful that his diplomatic contributions to independence were compared to Washington’s military ones. He was appointed the first Minister to Great Britain before coming home to help write a constitution for Massachusetts and be elected him the first vice-president. He established precedents, for better or worse, for the second highest office in the land. Party spirit having developed during Washington’s administration, he won the first contested election for president, setting up America’s initial transfer of power. His administration rocked on the sea of domestic and international turmoil resulting in his defeat in the election of 1800. The intrigues among his supporters and opponents make for interesting reading. In retirement he remained a local celebrity who participated in a later Massachusetts Constitutional Convention before dying, along with Thomas Jefferson, on the Fiftieth Independence Day.

Smith has done an excellent job of weaving the official with the family and presents, not just a biography of a man but a history of his era. The relationships between intimates and friends, allies and rivals are skillfully presented. Adams is seen as an ambitious man dedicated to his country, who was envious of others, including Washington and Jefferson, who received acclaim that he thought he deserved. This book is long, but not overly so considering its subject. There are newer works, prominently David McCullough’s “John Adams” but Page Smith’s has a place in a thorough study of the man. Each era interprets historical characters by its own lights. Inclusion of biographies from different times gives the reader a more balanced perspective on their subject.