My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams

My Dearest Friend presents the correspondence between John and Abigail Adams during the American Revolution and early republic period. Their letters span over 1,100 exchanges across nearly four decades, documenting both personal matters and significant historical events. The collection reveals the mechanics of an 18th-century long-distance marriage, as John's political duties frequently kept him away from Massachusetts. Abigail managed their farm and family while providing political insights and counsel to her husband, who served as diplomat, vice president, and president. These letters chronicle the birth of the United States through intimate primary sources, from the Continental Congress through the establishment of the federal government. The correspondence includes discussions of major political decisions, military developments, and the social conditions of Revolutionary America. The Adams' letters demonstrate the intellectual partnership between a politically active husband and wife, while exploring universal themes of separation, sacrifice, and commitment to both family and nation.

Readers appreciate the intimate view into John and Abigail Adams' relationship, with many noting the letters reveal their personalities, intellect, and partnership. Multiple reviewers mention the historical context provided through their firsthand accounts of the American Revolution and early republic. Likes: - Clear chronological organization - Helpful footnotes explaining historical references - Shows the depth of Abigail's political insight - Reveals personal struggles during long separations Dislikes: - Some found the footnotes insufficient for understanding context - Several mention difficulty with 18th century writing style - A few readers wanted more letters from their later years Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (190+ ratings) One reviewer notes: "Their correspondence reads like a novel, full of drama, politics, and romance." Another writes: "The editors did an excellent job selecting letters that show both historical events and personal moments." Several readers recommend having basic knowledge of the time period before starting.

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🖋️ Though Abigail and John Adams exchanged over 1,100 letters during their lifetimes, many were lost, destroyed, or damaged - including most of their courtship letters from the 1760s. 📜 Abigail Adams taught herself to read and write, as formal education wasn't available to women in colonial Massachusetts. Her eloquent letters reveal her as a self-educated intellectual and political thinker. 💌 During the Revolutionary War, letters between the couple sometimes took months to arrive, and some were intercepted by British forces, forcing them to write in code about sensitive political matters. 👰 When they married in 1764, John was 28 and Abigail was 19. Their letter-writing began during their courtship and continued through nearly every separation until Abigail's death in 1818. 📚 The famous "Remember the Ladies" letter, in which Abigail urged John to consider women's rights while drafting new laws for the nation, is included in this collection along with John's dismissive response.