Swinehart Reviews ‘First Family’ by Joseph Ellis

In a piece for The Chicago Tribune, Kirk Swinehart, assistant professor of history, reviews First Family: Abigail and John Adams by Joseph Ellis. The book chronicles the two intertwining lives through the more than 1,100 letters they wrote to each other. The couple’s deep and enduring love is explored from its outset, along with their family life, the events leading up to and beyond the American Revolution, as well as Adams’ presidency. Swinhart says that “with ‘First Family,’ Ellis brings to seven the number of deep excursions he has had made into founders’ land. And, once again, he has returned bearing gifts.”