Both George Washington and John Adams played pivotal roles in helping America achieve independence. By 1778, Washington was being called “father of his country,” and today there are countless public monuments to him. On the other hand, no monument to Adams can be found—even in Boston where he lived and worked for years.

Adams and Washington each made many mistakes, but it was Washington who made the lion’s share. Adams’ blunders as a diplomat and president couldn’t compare with some of Washington’s military disasters, including his defeat in New York in 1776.

Historian John Ferling considers the reasons why Adams deserves many more accolades than he has received. His intention is not to debunk Washington but to turn up the spotlight on another deserving great American.

Ferling’s biographies The First of Men: A Life of George Washington and John Adams: A Life (both published by Oxford University Press) are available for signing after the program.

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