Making the Presidency

John Adams and the Precedents That Forged the Republic

By: Lindsay M. Chervinsky

Narrated by: Lindsay M. Chervinsky

An authoritative account of the second president of the United States that shows how John Adams's leadership and legacy defined the office for those who followed and ensured the survival of the American republic.

The United States of 1797 faced enormous challenges, provoked by enemies foreign and domestic. The father of the new nation, George Washington, left his vice president, John Adams, with relatively little guidance and impossible expectations to meet. Adams was confronted with intense partisan divides, debates over citizenship, fears of political violence, potential for foreign conflict with France and Britain, and a nation unsure that the presidency could even work without Washington at the helm.

Making the Presidency is an authoritative exploration of the second US presidency, a period critical to the survival of the American republic. Through meticulous research and engaging prose, Lindsay Chervinsky illustrates the unique challenges faced by Adams and shows how he shaped the office for his successors. One of the most qualified presidents in American history, he had been a legislator, political theorist, diplomat, minister, and vice president—but he had never held an executive position. Instead, the quixotic and stubborn Adams would rely on his ideas about executive power, the Constitution, politics, and the state of the world to navigate the hurdles of the position. He defended the presidency from his own often obstructionist cabinet, protected the nation from foreign attacks, and forged trust and dedication to election integrity and the peaceful transfer of power between parties, even though it cost him his political future.

Offering a portrait of one of the most fascinating and influential periods in US history, Making the Presidency is a must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of the presidency and the creation of political norms and customs at the heart of the American republic.

©2024 Lindsay M. Chervinsky (P)2024 Dreamscape Media

An excellent contrast for our times

The author narrates. She reads well and has a pleasant voice. My only issue was her mispronunciation of some words. Not just different from me but different from every over person I have heard. It was not an error as it was done all through.
Get past that and you’ll love this book.

Jefferson’s and Hamilton’s machinations

Learning about Adams and how he helped enshrine the peaceful transfer of office, which lasted until January 6, 2020.

Lots to learn about Mr. Adams and the forming of our government

This is an excellent book and a must read for anyone interested in how our government was formed.

We almost lost it all…

Making the presidency is an amazing look at how fragile the early republic was and still is. John Adams is often overlooked between Washington and Jefferson, but he was the one that took the baton from Washington to establish president and he was the one that passed off the baton to Jefferson And contentious election as you’re reading you can’t help but draw parallels between 1800 and 2020 and beyond. It’s an insightful book and poor John Adams had much to deal with including descent from within his own cabinet. This is a great for student of American history or political science.

Excellent story showing Adams in a generally favorable light

The story presented corrected the generally negative narrative of the Adam’s presidency. I learned a lot even though I had read earlier biographies of Adam’s. I enjoyed the book, except for the poor narration. The author should have hired a professional narrator. She mispronounced numerous words such as “Jacobin” many times. That was unfortunate and lessened my enjoyment.