Preface "Let us dare to read, think, speak and write"
"Something should be said of my origin": From Braintree to Harvard (1735-1755)
"It is my Destiny to dig Treasures with my own fingers": Law and Marriage (1755-1765)
"Britain and America are staring at each other": Revolutionary Advocate (1761-1774)
"We must for the future stand upon our own Leggs or fall": Continental Congress and Independence (1774-1777)
"May the Design of my Voyage be answered": Revolutionary Diplomat, Polemicist, and Constitution-Maker (1777-1783)
"every phenomenon that occurs in the history of government": American Minister and Constitutional Commentator (1783-1788)
"The most insignificant office": Vice President (1788-1797)
"May none but wise and honest Men ever rule under this roof": President John Adams (1797-1801)
"In dogmatizing, laughing, and scolding I find delight": Retirement (1801-1812)
"What was the Revolution?" The Sage of Quincy (1812-1826)
Epilogue: "Whether you or I were right Posterity must judge.": The Legacies of John Adams.
