American Revolution
Ryan Tr
american_revolution.docx1. What, in your opinion, is the main purpose of this book?
The main purpose of this book is to unfold the life journeys of purposeful heroes especially John Adams, a brilliant and fiercely independent person with a passion for American Revolution. The book brings out Adams as a key leader that contributed significantly to the birth of American Republican. It gives one of the many examples of passionate and goal oriented leaders that are worthy to follow. It gives an impression of courageous and sincere leader with the ability to rise above any form of circumstances with determination and eventual success. Reading the biography of John Adams teaches many lessons including the importance of balancing family responsibility and ambitious activities.
2. What are the key questions or dilemmas that the author is addressing?
One of the key issues raised by the author is the question of balancing two unrelated aspects of life. By addressing the Joys and enthusiasm of John Adams, we are enlightened on how one can succeed in his or her ambitions even with serious happenings in personal life. John Adams had several encounters over his lifetime comprising losing his child and several members of his family at infancy, losing his only surviving daughter to cancer, and, eventually losing his wife. Despite all this, he managed to build a joyful life for himself and nothing stopped him from going after his ambitions. Another issue is the difference between the early politics and modern politics which seems to contradict in the way they are handled. The books reveal the venomously and hatred in the early politics that cost Adam and Jefferson’s friendship for 11 years. This is hard to be applied today where modern politicians are so principled that the level of indifference if any is kept at a minimal level.
The conclusion of the author gives theoretical facts about the delusional people when it comes to the history of politics. He gives an example of the view of Trumbell’s ‘Declaration of Independence,' where Adams describes how people believed Trumbell’s view disregarding the sacrifices and difficulties that existent for years before and after signing the document.The author is very effective in defining this by giving Adams as an evidence of those people that are willing to take critical action through sacrifice to make a difference. It reminds the readers that it is not and it will never be easy to create something great over a short period and that all achievements come with a process.
4. In your opinion, the most important information in this book is what?
I think the most important information in the book is political operations that led to the birth of American republican. John Adams have been the key character in the book made significant contributions in the American Revolution. Even though it wasn’t his wish to be in politics at first, he severally found himself in the political arena through which he learned drawbacks of the government. In his duty as the vice president of U.S, he describes his term as “the most insignificant office that ever the invention of a man contrived ".At Adams times, the politicians were increasingly partisan a gap he hoped to bridge. Eventually, he wins his fight for strong governance and becomes the US president.
5. What is the main assumption underlying the author’s thinking?
David McCullough must have assumed that the culture had neglected and misunderstood popular icons in the history and so they needed to be enlightened through cultural expression. In his thinking, he had seen the importance of revealing more diligent leaders that accomplished a lot in the history because there were a few of them that were actually revealed in the history books. By incorporating many essays about people and ideas together, he presents an informative collection that will remind everyone about the leaders that were not just involved in American Revolution but were actually great contributors.
6. Please list the three most important passages from the book. Make Sure to cite page numbers. Please list the passages, the page #, as well as why you feel they are significant.
The first most unimportant passage in the book is where Adams gives a message about change. He speaks to every country saying, everything is liable to change, and every country can undertake a change including the might kingdoms and states. The passage describes how nations rise and spread their influence globally (Page 19).This passage is a helpful guide to any country struggling to embrace change.
The second most important passage is where Adams explains the true meaning of a Republican. From the passage, he describes the idea of a republic as all forms of good governance. He further describes a Republican as “an empire of laws and not of men,” a phrase he borrowed from James Harrington’s philosophical writings (Page 62).From the passage, we can learn that good governance is one with a representative body other than a single legislative body. This ensures distribution of powers and rights among the people in power which accommodates all public’s interests.
The third most important passage is the author’s description of Adams and Jefferson. They were both countrymen at heart and farmers.Jefferson was more interested in practical things while Adams liked to recommend historical and literary works (Page 233).This passage shows the similarities and differences in personality and provides an implication of how possible any people can cooperate.
7. How has the author of this book challenged your beliefs on this subject?
The book has enlightened me on the varied beliefs within the historical content. I find it so challenging when emphasizes how great achievement comes with sacrifice, determination and a long process of fighting difficulties and obstacles along the way. It makes me think that nothing happens easily or for a short period and all countries must follow suit. It forces me to acknowledge his fact and view everything from his perspective.Moreso, it challenges me to think before buying anybody’s review on the history of our country.
