John Adams

• John Adams - David McCullough

So, I finished this one at the end of October and just never got around to posting. McCullough wrote an amazing book that I'm still mulling over in my mind. There was so much information and so many examples of the spirit of 1776 that it was impossible for me to read without really considering the changes in our government and begin to worry about how far we've strayed from the essential tenants of our founders. Not that I didn't worry before, but now it has really gotten under my skin. Whether you agreed with Adams' position on events, you have to admit that he's an amazing real life character. He struggled throughout his life to do what he felt would help America as a nation. I see people who feel like the events of today don't affect them, or at least not enough to put down the remote and do something of significance. As a nation we expect to be handed an easy life in return for mediocrity. Politicians will compromise their morality, but they wont meet in the middle to help the poor, deal with Medicaid, social security, or education. It's an all or nothing attitude and not much of significance has come from it.

"...the eyes of the world are upon you." - 402

"Our obligations to our country never cease but with out lives." - 387

"Popularity was never my mistress, nor was I ever, or shall I ever be a popular man. But on thing I know, a man must be sensible of the errors of the people, and upon his guard against them, and must run the risk of their displeasure sometimes, or he will never do them any good in the long run." -373