Passionate Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams by Joseph J. Ellis (Engl

Description: Passionate Sage: The Character and Legacy of John Adams by Joseph J. Ellis "Passionate Sage is [Elliss] best book."-Judith Shulevitz, The New York Times Book Review FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description A fresh look at this astute, likably quirky statesman, by the author of the Pulitzer Award-winning Founding Brothers and the National Book Award winning American Sphinx. "The most lovable and most laughable, the warmest and possibly the wisest of the founding fathers, John Adams knew himself as few men do and preserved his knowledge in a voluminous correspondence that still resonates. Ellis has used it with great skill and perception not only to bring us the man, warts and all, but more importantly to reveal his extraordinary insights into the problems confronting the founders that resonate today in the republic they created."-Edmund S. Morgan, Sterling Professor of History Emeritus, Yale University. Author Biography Joseph J. Ellis received the Pulitzer Prize for "Founding Brothers" and the National Book Award for his portrait of Thomas Jefferson, "American Sphinx. "He is the Ford Foundation Professor of History at Mount Holyoke College. He lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, with his wife, Ellen, and their youngest son, Alex. Review "The best portrait of a Revolutionary-era statesman." -- Evan Thomas - Wall Street Journal "Impassioned and erudite. . . . A captivating portrait of this Massachusetts native as a wonderfully contrary genius possessed of an uncommon moral intelligence and farsighted political wisdom." -- Michiko Kakutani - The New York Times Kirkus US Review In a meditative and discursive essay (mostly about its subjects long retirement), Ellis (History/Mount Holyoke; After the Revolution, 1979) ponders the distinctive personality and achievements of Americas endearingly cantankerous second President. While generally accorded a distinguished place in the pantheon of the nations founders, John Adams has never been credited with the intellect of a Jefferson or the heroism of a Washington, and his presidency usually has been deemed an honorable failure. Ellis views this as unjust but points out a possible reason: Adamss pragmatic and pessimistic philosophy (emphasizing the limitations of America and the importance of tempering freedom with responsibility) was less moving than the idealistic, celebratory outlook of Jefferson and less appropriate to a young nation about to conquer a continent. Adamss rhetoric, moreover - at best plain and uninspired and at worst vituperatively argumentative - suffers in comparison with Jeffersons majestic prose. Ellis nonetheless makes clear that Adams has much to teach modern America, which has discovered limits to its power and is beginning to doubt the myths of American exceptionalism. The authors vivid sketch of the famous Adams-Jefferson correspondence shows his subjects delightful personality, intellect, warmth, and capacity for friendship, as well as his devotion to the Union and to the Federalist cause (which came to an end with the New England Federalists support for secession during the War of 1812). Ellis comments ruefully on what he views as Adamss unfair relegation to second place in Americas memory of its founders (a ranking that Adams himself anticipated), and he proposes that a statue of Adams be erected near the Jefferson Memorial so that, "depending on the time of clay and angle of the sun, he and Jefferson might take turns casting shadows across each others facades." By focusing on Adamss retirement, Ellis doesnt achieve the sweep of a full biography - but hes able to capture the mans appealing spirit, providing new perspective on an unfairly neglected Founding Father. (Kirkus Reviews) Review Text The best portrait of a Revolutionary-era statesman. Review Quote "The best portrait of a Revolutionary-era statesman." Details ISBN0393034798 Author Joseph J. Ellis Short Title PASSIONATE SAGE Publisher W. W. Norton & Company Language English ISBN-10 0393034798 ISBN-13 9780393034790 Media Book Format Hardcover DEWEY 973.440 Year 1993 Publication Date 1993-05-31 Imprint WW Norton & Co Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States Alternative 9780786107698 Illustrations photographs Birth 1943 Residence South Hadley, MA, US Pages 288 Subtitle The Character and Legacy of John Adams DOI 10.1604/9780393034790 UK Release Date 1993-11-03 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:130591849;

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