The great American historian Edmund S. Morgan wrote this delightful concise portrait of John Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. His comments on Adams are the best.
What strikes me about his Adams piece is how he points out how parochial Adams was. The second president could have lived his entire life in Braintree. According to Morgan, he was less a sophisticated man than a local country boy. Unlike Jefferson, he was not "cultured." He did not appreciate fine art. He was very literate but did not collect books. Still, I like John Adams.
"There was, to begin with, something invincibly provincial about him." P. 6
"Along with this provincialism went a bluntness of manner, a want of tact that made Adams less than ideally fitted to work with others in a legislative assembly." P. 7
"He once had the audacity to find even Benjamin Franklin tedious." P. 7
"In an age noted for the versatility of great men, Adams did not allow his keen mind much range." P. 8
His comments on art and architecture were painful. P. 8
"There was never any false modesty in John Adams." P. 9
Despite it all, John Adams was very nearly a great man. P. 9
He always worked for something more than money. P. 11
Of the three men discussed in this book, it seems to me that for Adams more than the other two, the momentum events of his time made him great more than events did for the other two.
Morgan's presentation of Washington is nominal. What sticks with me the most is how shows the personal side of GW as well as the others in terms of how the war was personal as well as nationalistic. All had personal motives ongoing during their years on the national stage.
The author tells the delightful story of how on a bet from Alexander Hamilton Gouvenor Morris slapped GW on the back and received an icy stare in return. No one ever tried to touch GW again. I wish I could have been there to see this. P. 31
Washington was always concerned with outward appearances. P. 35
Military rank was very important to him. P. 37
It hurt his honor to have to rely on the French so much, but it's a good thing he did call on them. P. 42
GW staked his personal honor on the national honor, and for that alone he deserves our eternal praise. P. 54
The eternal mystery of George Washington is just exactly what all lay behind the front he put up before the world.
The author spares no words in roasting Jefferson.
Thomas Jefferson has always invited controversy. Though of mild temper, he abhorred controversy but it followed him always. There are sufficient grounds for criticism. His views of the British leanings of Hamilton were extreme though rational. P. 63
His views on slavery were hypocritical. He did nothing of substance to advance emancipation. He lived well from the labor of his slaves. He didn't try hard to get out of debt which he thought would allow him to let his slaves go. He thought more highly of his books and drinking good wine than emancipating his slaves. He believed in the inferiority of blacks and the impossibility of blacks and whites living together in peace. His view of extending slavery across the continent to dilute it is laughable. P. 64
His views on women would not yield any favorable comments from Hillary Clinton. P. 65
His personal qualities are hard to discern. He masked himself well. Great conversationalist but very private and guarded. P. 66
He hated finance and city slickers.
Jefferson had his limitations, but if you like him you find a way to overlook those limitations. Hold your nose and move on. P. 84
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