Book · 2001 · Politics and government
John Adams
- mentions
- 6
- people
- 6
- podcasts
- 5
- episodes
- 5
- recommendations
- 2
David McCullough's book was one of the first experiences I had when I was like.
Tim Urban · How I Write · Jan 2024 Listen at 50:09 The best things said about it
John Adams which really is a great book.
McCullough talks about this in his biography with John Adams.
Ryan Holiday The Daily Stoic · Sep 2026 David McCullough the I think he considered himself just a writer, but we we consider him a historian. Uh put out these books, this John Adams biography.
There's a great segment in the John Adams biography.
David McCullough's book on John Adams.
Where and when it comes up
Most mentions, by podcast
6 people who brought it up
Why people recommend it
John Adams by David McCullough is a celebrated biographical masterpiece that chronicles the life of the second US president and deeply explores the turbulent founding of the United States. Bari Weiss recommended the biography during a lightning round on Honestly with Bari Weiss when prompted by Peggy Noonan to name a great book about the American Founders. Tim Urban similarly praised the biography on How I Write, explaining that it was one of the first historical works that transformed his perspective, bringing the subject to life and making him realize how extraordinary history truly is. The book's impact extended into historical practice and commentary as well. Ryan Holiday referenced McCullough's biography on The Daily Stoic to illustrate John Adams's mastery of marginalia, while Bob Crawford discussed the book on The Book Review as a major personal influence on his own historical writing. Additionally, Tim Pool referenced a vivid historical detail from the biography on Timcast IRL regarding Adams arriving by muddy carriage into early Washington, D.C., and David Perell discussed the book's formative impact on historical appreciation during an interview with Tim Urban.
Every mention
Bari Weiss best book of about on about David McCulla cited many times in in a certain idea of America yeah oh thank yo… 1
“best book of about on about David McCulla cited many times in in a certain idea of America yeah oh thank you very much for that prompt you're welcome David McCulla John Adams which really is a great book”
Tim Urban David McCullough's book was one of the first experiences I had when I was like, "This is amazing. History i… 1
“David McCullough's book was one of the first experiences I had when I was like, "This is amazing. History is amazing." Even just that specific topic. It's about John Adams, but it's really of course about the founding of the US.”
Bob Crawford At the same time David McCullough the I think he considered himself just a writer, but we we consider him a… 1
“At the same time David McCullough the I think he considered himself just a writer, but we we consider him a historian. Uh put out these books, this John Adams biography and this book about the year 1776.”
David Perell Why are you grateful for David McCullough's book on John Adams? I read that in college. 1
“Why are you grateful for David McCullough's book on John Adams? I read that in college.”
Ryan Holiday Actually, McCullough talks about this in his biography with John Adams. John Adams was a master of the art… 1
“Actually, McCullough talks about this in his biography with John Adams. John Adams was a master of the art of what we would call marginalia.”
Tim Pool there's a great segment in the John Adams biography when he CU he's the first president that ends up in DC… 1
“there's a great segment in the John Adams biography when he CU he's the first president that ends up in DC and he goes into DC in this carriage and it's all muddy and terrible and he's just like ah I want to be in Boston”
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“I mean like so there's M's John Adams which is good”