A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
ARC from William Morrow and Netgalley for an honest review
Book Blurb:
In the heart of revolutionary Boston, Abigail Adams raises her children amid riots, blockades, and the outbreak of war. While her husband, John Adams, rises from country lawyer to nation-builder, often away for years at a time, Abigail builds her own independence—managing their farm, making lucrative investments, amassing savings, battling plague and loss, and defending their home. Unafraid to speak her mind, she famously offers fearless political counsel, urging John to “remember the ladies” in the new government. Through it all, she becomes his most trusted confidante and indispensable ally.
When peace is secured, Abigail steps onto the world stage—exchanging ideas with Thomas Jefferson in the French countryside, navigating court life as the wife of the Minister to Great Britain, and presiding over the parlor politics of the early American republic in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Even after her husband’s presidential administration, she continues battling political foes and working behind the scenes to advance her family, secure independence for the women in her life, and ensure a better life for the next generation of Americans.
My Review: 4.75 stars
A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie was incredibly written and brought history to life through Abagail Adam’s life. All I kept thinking about while I read this book was how our country survived those early years without her. She was an absolute champion for women and all mankind.
I couldn’t get over the love and respect Abagail and John Adams had for one another. Their mutual adoration during such trying times never diminished and I can assure you as you read this book, you’ll understand the plethora of difficult times they endured. Long separations from one another, child loss, famine, war, and alcoholism were themes woven throughout the novel. I picked up many nuggets of new knowledge from reading this book – l love learning something new!
Abagail’s side business of selling pins was brilliant and I love that she kept that nugget of income to herself. She was not only smart but also knew who to trust and who to not. Her role as a mother was her most important role and what a wonderful mother she was – truly America’s mother.
The research that these two authors had to collect must have been massive. Narrowing it down into what actually went into the book was nothing short of daunting. As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, this book makes the perfect read.
Quotes I liked:
Silence was my only refuge from this grief.”
“But what does that look like for a ruler of a country to send his own son to negotiate? It looks like nepotism at best and monarchy at worse.”
“The vice presidency of these United States is the most insignificant office ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived.”
