I haven’t posted in forever. But I have good reason. Week one of summer we had all of our wood floors redone and I had to be interviewed at a historical society. Then I had to be trained to use the library. So… that was a lot. Week two I had surgery and that took everything out of me for a bit. And I’m starting a research project so I had to get in my basic research question. But hopefully, the rest of the summer won’t be that crazy.

Abigail and John: Portrait of a Marriage

“ The story of Abigail and John Adams is as much a romance as it is a lively chapter in the early history of this country. The marriage of the second president and first lady is one of the most extraordinary examples of passion and endurance that this country has ever witnessed. And it is a drama peopled with a pantheon of eighteenth-century stars: George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson, his daughter Patsy, Ben Franklin, and Mercy Otis Warren.

Abigail and John were a uniquely compatible duo, and in their remarkable union we can see the strength of a people determined to achieve full independence in the face of daunting odds. Yet while much has been written about each as an individual, Abigail and John provides, for the first time, the captivating story of their dedication and sacrifice that helped usher in the founding of our country, a time that fascinates us still.

Married in 1764 by Abigail’s reverend father, the young couple worked side by side for a decade, raising a family while John’s status as one of the most prosperous, respected lawyers in Massachusetts grew. As his duties within the new republic expanded, the Adamses endured a long period of sporadic separations. But their loyalty and love kept their bond firm across the distance, as is evident in their tender letters. It’s in this correspondence that Abigail comes into her own as a woman of politics, offering words of advice and encouragement to a husband whose absences were crucial to the independence they both cherished. And it’s also in these exchanges that they worked through the familial tragedies that tested them: the death of their son Charles from alcoholism and the impoverishment and early death of their daughter Nabby.

Through its fifty-four years, the union of John and Abigail Adams was based on mutual respect and ambition, intellect and equality, that went far beyond the conventional bond. Abigail and John is an inspirational portrait of a couple who endured the turmoil and trials of a revolution, and in so doing paved the way for the birth of a nation. “
(Taken from Amazon)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I started it in April, and it took me until yesterday to finish it. I savored it, reading slowly and truly taking in each word, because it is rare that such an established and talented historian comes out with a book on my two favorite people in history. The beginning really pulled me in, and her writing kept me going, even through a chapter in which, for me, did not bring new insight. At a point, I think that I’m bound to find repetitive material, not at all fault to any author writing about Adams. I have simply read such a number of books about them that I’ve seen most views about them. However, this book was very solid in its views about the Adams’ marriage. Often, I am upset that some authors overestimate Abigail’s “feminist” letter or that they disregard her in writing about John. Gelles managed to truly place the letter in context of the eighteenth century. Also, this book has great value due to its individuality. There’s no other book that I know of that covers the marriage as the centerpiece. Even if you did not want a double biography, I have to say, the more and more I understand the Adams, I realize that their lives are so intricate and so intertwined emotionally that it is impossible to write a book about either of them without the other being almost like a “sidekick.” I love David McCullough’s John Adams, but the more I ponder about it, the more I regret to say that Abigail is not fully attributed in it. He does a fair job, but she influenced him greatly, and does not appear a fully round and dynamic person as she was. Anyways, back to Gelles’ book. It was a real pleasure to read it and I am terribly excited for whatever she writes next. I’m willing to say that Gelles could make me interested in any topic, not just the Adams.

Okay. I know that I have not posted in a terrible long time, but I’ve had some ongoing medical problems, a crazily messed up schedule for junior year that still does not perfectly work out (had to drop a few classes – ), and just general end of the year wrap up stuff. Oh, and I’m doing a research project at the local historical society. I feel sooo cool and it’s exactly what I want to do for the rest of my life.

But… today was a really big day for me. I spent all day at the clinic, which was terribly boring and hurt my feet. I had to walk around in a special outfit with “high” heels (high for me – an inch and a half) from the twelfth to the first and all around. See… I went to a talk given by none other than DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN!

She was amazing and completely made up for my disappointment in David McCullough never writing back (I gave up hope a while back… it’ll be a year in two months.) There was not a signing, but I went down to the podium afterwords. I was literally teetering because I was shaking so much. My mom really pushed me down there (she says she literally pushed me, but I don’t recall) and I told her that I love her books and want to be an historian. I got a picture with her and she was very down to earth. I did not get to ask my question during the question and answer session, so she told me, extremely caring and kindly, that she’d be glad to talk with me. EEK! So, I’m terribly excited. I don’t know how I’m going to sleep tonight. Even if she does not write back, she was so sincere that I think this day really made my entire summer fabulous.

I need to sleep. Have not had a great sleep since Sunday since we had our wood floors refinished and it stinks.

Oh, I didn’t tell about the floors. I’ve got a lot going on I guess.

Doris Kearns Goodwin. I can’t believe I met her two hours ago!

Yeah, another new post. I have finals coming up, but most all of them are easy-peasy. Honors Chemistry is the only one that I’ll legitly study for. Tonight there is this silly Kiwanis awards ceremony that I have to go to. It’s ridiculous, because they waste a lot of time. Besides, we have an identical ceremony thing on thursday in school.

I still love House, MD, and I still don’t know why. I’m a romanticist about life for the most part, and he’s a bit narcissistic. They totally clash.

LONG review coming real soon…

Palace of Mirrors

I read this book by Margaret Peterson Haddix about two weeks ago. I have loved every other book of hers, but this one was a HUGE disappointment. The plot was contrived and extremely predictable. The writing was elementary and did not add to the overall story. The love interest was bland and non-committal. Just two weeks later, I can hardly remember details other than the skeleton plot. I can’t believe I actually spent an hour of my life reading this.

I feel bad for the harsh review – I read her book The Found ( or something like that) about half a year ago and ADORED it. I guess the princessy book just isn’t my type.

Jeopardy on right now – answer is John Adams and Thomas Jefferson! I got it!

And I love the guy who won – his smile is so rewarding. It just makes me smile, too!