I recently listened to David O. Stewart’s biography on George Washington and immensely enjoyed learning American history through the life of a president. So I decided to set a fun goal for myself to read or listen to a biography of every deceased president.
So I have 2 questions for you all:
1. I am trying to pick between 2 bios on John Adams – John Adams: A Life by John Ferling, and John Adams by David McCullough. Has anyone read either of these before? Let me know what you thought of them and if you would recommend them or suggest a different book entirely!
- Please share your recommendations on biographies for any president. I am not picky about style – I know some biographers can be more lenient towards their subject, but I would like as balanced of a perspective as possible.
Thank you for your input!
by jnmcdonald
6 Comments
You should check this guy’s website out. He inspired me to do something similar after I read about it in The Power of Moments.
https://bestpresidentialbios.com/curriculum/
I haven’t read Ferling’s, but I can absolutely recommend McCoullough’s biography on Adams.
American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House – by Jon Meacham was always my favorite. I loved everything about Jackson and his presidency. He was a wild frontiersman that live in civilized society, he was “one of the boys” . I haven’t read the ones you are asking about so just my next recommendation.
McCullough’s Adams biography is fantastic.
1. I recommend Ferling’s biography
2. Truman, by David McCullough
River of Doubt by Candace Millard
It’s a biography of Teddy Roosevelt, excellent research and really well written. I really couldn’t put it down. Fascinating man.
Also, Five Presidents. Written by a secret service agent who protected them.