John Adams

John Adams is more than a simple biography of the American Founding Father, philosopher of the Revolution, and second President of the United States. Also inherent in author Anne Husted Burleigh's study are a close analysis of Adams' political and philosophical beliefs, and the value his teachings have for today's modern society. Adams considered humans to be beings of liberty subject to God's law, and sought to balance liberty and law from that vantage point. The principles of politics and human nature that he outlined remain vividly relevant to this day. "Adams perceived sharply the intimate relation between liberty and property. He believed that without the right to acquire property, life and liberty are totally without protection and are mere abstract phrases. He believed that the right to property without liberty to acquire it is a term equally empty." Highly recommended, especially for political science and philosophy shelves.