All U.S. presidents must confront and solve problems, some more unique than others. There are a few whose difficulties are unprecedented and will never recur again. John Adams was such a president and his effectiveness as a chief executive is often underestimated. When he took the oath of office, the nation was still young and in many ways not yet a nation. Regional differences, which sixty years later would explode into civil war, were powerful and could have led to a similar event during his administration. The governmental structure was idealistic, novel and untested. There were many who felt that it was unworkable, and with minimal communication infrastructure, it was difficult for the central government to project its' power quickly and effectively.
The framers of this government were highly talented, ambitious men, who were now faced with the task of governing. As history has shown us so many times, the talented revolutionary is often mediocre at governing. Political parties began to form and like all births, involved a great deal of fits and starts. George Washington commanded such respect that no one could reasonably hope to challenge his authority, and yet he was wore down by the political battles. Succeeding such a towering figure would have been difficult for anyone. Europe was also currently engaged in a general war as a consequence of the revolution in France, and there were strong forces driving the United States towards involvement.
Into this horrendous mix of conflicting forces, John Adams became president. There is no question that the crises he faced rank in the top five of all presidents. Forced to face and solve these problems, he performed admirably. There is no more telling measures of his success in that he angered many in both parties and one of his strongest enemies, Thomas Jefferson, continued his policies when he succeeded Adams.
Brown does an outstanding job of describing these circumstances, for without this knowledge it is impossible to understand how successful Adams was. He also describes many of the details of John Adams' relationship with his wife Abigail. Although the times dictated that women play secondary roles in society, it is clear that many women wielded substantial power behind the scenes, if only to provide the strength for her husband to do what was right. After reading this book, you cannot help but be impressed with the power and intelligence of Abigail Adams, one of the most talented first spouses that this country has ever had.
This book serves a necessary and overdue purpose. It shows John Adams as more than just an adequate successor to Washington, but as a president who stood firm and always placed the interests of the nation first. He was a great man, showing that many of the men who made the American revolution were also, and perhaps even more skilled, at making and executing a government. I will forever be in awe of their political genius.

In this book, John C. Miller gives an excellent account of a man who served the cause of revolution from England - but at a high cost. Miller paints a view of Adams and some of his contemporaries as nothing more than trouble makers with a genius for propaganda. He gives the most balanced view of these times of almost any account I have read of the American Revolution. This is not a book for the sqeamish. I don't think he takes a revisionist viewpoint, but he certainly gives cause to reconsider the motives of Sam Adams, Otis, and others. Any writer talented enough to do that, not obscure the facts, and keep you entertained deserves a thoughtful read. Highly recommend. Even though out of print - it really shouldn't be. It is a classic.

Great informative book for the farrier and horseman. Concise and easy to read. This book was the the one reference that most horseshoeing books later borrowed from. This book is a treasure for anyone with interest in the history and art of horseshoeing and farrier science. This is the number one book on the lost art of shoeing.

"Transforming Leadership" and "Transforming Work," both edited by John D. Adams, are among my most thumbed books.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone considering taking an assignment with a US-based country outside of the USA. I was assigned as an expatriate for 3 years in Germany. I wish I had read this boook. Maybe I could have minimized some of the culture shock especially for my family.

Chapters 1 and 2 provide excellent food for thought when deciding whether to accept the position. There are many pros and also many cons. Chapters 3 thru 11 provide outstanding recommendations for solutions to many of challenges of living in another culture.

Chapter 12 should be read before taking an overseas assignment as well as when nearing the end of assignment. Returning to the USA, especially professionally, is not easy. This chapter has some good advice on networking while assigned overseas.

Chapter 13 and 14 are also essential reading before accepting an assignment.

The investment in purchasing the book is sound. It will pay for itself many times over!

Tom Huegerich Sales Development Manager, International

this game is pritty easy so you dont really need this guide but I bought it after beating the entire game. I just wanted to have it to see the combo listings.

Really great photos of mounatin scapes in and about Yosimite. Waterfalls, forests, mountains and sky. Typical Ansel, most flawless.

This book is a good resource for parents of hearing inpaired children. It covers everything from initial reaction after diagnosis to how to cope with these feelings. It also details normal development and how hearing impairment can affect behavior. There is a great section on how to deal with some of these special behavior problems. I recommend this book to parents or anyone who is involved with a young or early school age hearing impaired child.

I found this book to be very entertaining. Douglas Adams did a brilliant job carrying the reader along with this absurd sci-fi novel. In fact, at times the book gets so absurd that it's hard to follow. But I still recommend it as a great read.

Basically the book is about two friends that live on earth. Arthur Dent and Ford Perfect. Ford Perfect(who is actually an alien) reveals to Arthur that the world is about to end.Not long after their conversation, a Vogon spaceship appears and announces that earth will be destroyed shortly because it is in the way of a new intergalactic highway bypass that is being built through our galaxy. Ford and Arthur manage to board the ship before the earth is demolished, and they are quickly discovered.

The Vogon ship ejects them into space and they get picked up by another ship called the "Heart of Gold" which houses the Infinite Improbability Drive-makes the improbable happen. They travel to the planet Magrathea to figure out what to do about their non-existent planet earth. Then discover that earth was really a giant organic computer that was working on finding the meaning of life. But 5 minutes before the program was done the planet was desroyed. Ah, the irony!

This book was all over the place, in a way that reminded me of Slaughterhouse five. The characters would go off on weird tangents that didn't really have much to do with the plot of the story. But I enjoyed its off the wall style and bazaar storyline. Its definitely unlike any other book I've read, and I admire its originality.

I first read Hitchiker when I was ten, and in the ten years (and hundreds of re-readings) since it has been a source of infinite pleasure and enlightenment. I now have all the books (2 copies each), the radio broadcasts, the original radio scripts, the videos of the TV series and Neil Gaiman's Guide to the Guide (as well as absolutely everything else that the exquisite Mr Adams has ever written). I am currently studying at Oxford University and I take offence at those misguided souls who think that HHGTTG is childish, has no lasting worth or will only be enjoyed by undiscriminating readers. Hitchiker is not only a supremely funny and inventive book - it's also extremely intelligent and full of subtle insights. It works on so many levels that it is accessible to everyone (if they keep an open mind).Vogon poetry, the Babel fish and the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster are surely all the evidence you need of Adams' sublime genius (and there are 4 more books of it).Oh, and Douglas Adams has been hinting that Hitchiker 6 might be on its way (pleeeeaaaase! pleeeeeaase!)

Anyway, my heart belongs to Ford Prefect forever. And remember, Hitchiker isn't just a book, it's a way of life.

The first book in the inaccurately named Hitchhiker's Trilogy is a wonderful introduction to Douglas Adams, his writing style, and extrememly unorthodox sense of humor. Douglas Adams is an exceptionally talented writer. Throughout the book, he approaches details far from the main flow of information and in the last sentence of the chapter makes it all fit together. It is extremely hard to describe his style except that of what some would call slapstick comedy. This type of comedy is completely zany and just throws around plot elements, introducing new items very liberally and taking others away rapidly.
The plot and content are excellent. The charcters are very developed and interesting. Because most of the book does not take place on the Earth, Adams pokes a lot of fun at the Earth and its not-so-brilliant residents, humans. The book is constantly refering to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (an actual book in the story) giving the reader more information and continuing to reveal the plot in Adams's unique style.
I really enjoyed this book. I was often laughing out loud and recieving interesting looks from the other kids in study hall. This book is unequivocally humorous with a very extensive plot and developed characters. Even if someone is not a science fiction fan, I believe everyone can enjoy The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.