Why people recommend it
John Adams by David McCullough is a comprehensive biography of the second United States president that explores the broader context of the American founding. The book received high praise from multiple guests across different podcast episodes for its ability to bring history to life. On How I Write, Tim Urban recalled that reading the biography was a transformative experience that made him realize how amazing history could be, noting that while it focuses on John Adams, it ultimately centers on the birth of the United States. During an appearance on the same podcast, David Perell mentioned reading the biography in college and asked Urban about its lasting impact on his historical appreciation. Additionally, Bob Crawford discussed the biography on The Book Review, identifying David McCullough as a historian who successfully shaped public interest through this work and his companion book about the year 1776. Speakers consistently highlighted the title as a defining entry point for understanding early American history.
Who recommended it
- Bob Crawford Discussed
- David Perell Discussed
- Tim Urban Recommended
Bob Crawford — 1 mention
“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 — 1 mention
“Why are you grateful for David McCullough's book on John Adams? I read that in college.”
Tim Urban — 1 mention
“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.”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (2: passing, ad reads, own books)
“and even in the context of 2016 I remember I was I was reading Walter isaacson's biography of uh Ben Franklin and I was watching that old HBO series Adams”
“I mean like so there's M's John Adams which is good”