The Unexpected Abigail Adams

Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, was an eyewitness to America's founding, and helped guide the new nation through her observations and advice to her famously prickly husband, who cherished her. She was the first woman to serve as Second Lady of United States and the second woman to serve as First Lady.

In The Unexpected Abigail Adams: A Woman "Not Apt to Be Intimidated," writer and researcher John L. Smith, Jr. draws on more than two thousand letters of Abigail's spanning from the 1760s to her death in 1818, interweaving Abigail's colorful correspondence with a contextual narrative. In this priceless documentation of one of the most important periods of world history she comments on the varied personalities she encountered and, while her husband was away from home serving in the Continental Congresses and as a diplomatic envoy in Europe, she wrote him frequently about their home in Massachusetts, their family, national and local politics, and, during the early years of the war, crucial information concerning revolutionary activities around Boston. She was an advocate for education for women, a shrewd businesswoman, and had an unrivaled political acumen. This major biography of Abigail is a riveting, revealing portrait of a remarkable woman that listeners will find very relatable-and one that transforms how she is perceived.

The Unexpected Abigail Adams reveals a fiercely intelligent, forward-thinking woman whose voice helped shape a nation. Through vivid narrative and rich historical insight, this book explores Adams’s resilience, wit, and unwavering commitment to justice—traits that made her truly ahead of her time.

Perfect for history enthusiasts and admirers of influential women. Bring home an inspiring portrait of a woman who refused to be intimidated. Written by John L. Smith, Jr. Hardcover, 400 pages.

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