JOHN ADAMS

Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation** by Joseph J. Ellis
- Outlines the complex friendship, rivalry, and eventual reconciliation between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

2. John Adams by David McCullough

A Pulitzer Prize-winning biography that provides a thorough account of Adams’s life, presidency, and legacy.

3. The Letters of John Adams (2 volumes) edited by Lester J. Cappon

A comprehensive collection of Adams’s correspondence, offering insights into his thoughts and experiences.

4. The Political Writings of John Adams edited by Adrienne Koch

A collection of Adams’s most significant political writings, including his "Discourse on Davila" and "Defence of the Constitutions."

5. The Real John Adams by Richard Brookhiser

A reassessment of Adams’s character and legacy, challenging the popular view of him as a stern and unyielding figure.

6. John Adams: A Statesman of Law by Henry J. Bourguignon

Examines Adams’s contributions to legal and constitutional thought, including his role in the drafting of the Massachusetts Constitution.

7. John Adams and the American Revolution by Richard D. Brown

Explores Adams’s role in the American Revolution, his diplomatic efforts, and his contributions to the founding of the United States.

8. Adams Between Worlds: America’s First Foreign Policy by Thomas A. Bailey

Examines Adams’s complex and often controversial foreign policy as the first Secretary of State and President of the United States.

9. The Worlds of John Adams: Personal and Public Life in Revolutionary America by Paul C. Nagel

Focuses on Adams’s personal life, his relationships with family and friends, and his struggles to balance his public and private spheres.

10. John Adams and the Massachusetts Constitution by Douglas Adair

Explores Adams’s significant role in the drafting and ratification of the Massachusetts Constitution, which became a model for other state constitutions.