The Presidency of John Adams Ralph Adams Brown 216 pages, 6 x 9 American Presidency Series Cloth ISBN 978-0-7006-0134-9, $29.95 The administration of John Adams was a period of rapid change, internal discord, and the continual threat of war. Few of the nation's chief executives have been subjected to such immediate and ever-present danger of foreign involvement and national destruction, to such bitter animosities and serious cleavages within their administrations, or to such constant need for decision making as was John Adams. In the face of such adversity Adams successfully pursued a policy of neutrality and consiliation and, in so doing, provided time for the country to grow strong and to prosper. Yet, despite the seriousness of the country's problems and the contributions of his administration, he is seldom designated as one of the great American presidents. In this volume, Ralph Adams Brown presents a new evaluation of John Adams and of his four years in the presidency. The portrait drawn by Adams's enemies disappears and the second president emerges as a world citizen whose insight, judgment, and perseverance held the young nation together in a critical period. Brown focuses closely on the most significant aspect of Adams's presidency, foreign affairs. He examines the country's increasing concern with matters of defense and Adams's successful efforts to evade foreign entanglements. Describing the vicious personal attacks to which Adams was subjected, and the devious and disloyal maneuvers of his cabinet members, Brown traces Adams's difficulties with Timothy Pickering, James McHenry, Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Alexander Hamilton, and others. He documents Adams's steadfastness to his ideals and principles, despite the hostility, exaggerated accusations, and perfidy that surrounded him. "Wise, straightforward and succinct."--New York Times Book Review "This is a clear, engrossing political narrative and a useful introduction to national politics of the late 1790s."--Reviews in American History "This is not a bland account. Future historians of Adams's administration cannot ignore Brown's interpretation."--New England Quarterly "A readable and significant book, admirable for the clarity and precision with which it analyzes men, issues, and events of the period."--Pennsylvania Magazine of History "The volume presents the case with forceful argumentation. It is based upon extensive use of a variety of primary sources, including Adams's papers and the papers of many of his contemporaries, careful reading of secondary sources, and fine scholarly judgment."--Historian RALPH ADAMS BROWN (deceased) was Distinguished Teaching Professor of American History at the State University of New York College at Cortland. He is author or co-author of numerous books, including Exploring with American Heroes, History of the United States, Discovering American History, and Impressions of America.   Home | About the Press | Recent Awards | Contact Us | Order New Books: | By Author | By Subject | By Title | By Series Books in Print: | By Author | By Subject | By Title | By Series ©2007 University Press of Kansas 2502 Westbrooke Circle, Lawrence, KS 66045-4444 Phone (785) 864-4155; Fax (785) 864-4586