Topic: John Adams (President)

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Boston Marathon bombings: 5 books to read in the aftermath

In the wake of the tragedy, check out these five titles which address topics from patriotism to strength in the face of disaster.

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Stir It Up! Fourth of July supper: New England poached salmon

Fourth of July marks the day the Declaration of Independence was read out over the streets of Boston. Many New Englanders mark Fourth of July with a meal of poached salmon
Boston Marathon bombings: 5 books to read in the aftermath

In the wake of the tragedy, check out these five titles which address topics from patriotism to strength in the face of disaster.
The Monitor's View The challenge in the Boston Marathon bombing

The act of terror in the Boston Marathon bombing was swiftly met by acts of help and comfort for victims and others. Such actions point to the need to affirm all of that which the bomber sought to destroy.
Thomas Jefferson: 16 quotes on his birthday

Here are 16 quotes to mark the birthday of American founding father Thomas Jefferson.
Verbal Energy Abdicating, resigning, or just stepping down?

Changes in Rome, the Netherlands, and Cuba illustrate our vocabulary of transition.
Coolidge

Amity Shlaes offers a fresh perspective on the 1920s and "Silent Cal," but infuses her narrative with ideology.
Reading recommendation: Samuel Adams, A Life

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.
The Oath

New Yorker writer and CNN analyst Jeffrey Toobin offers an astute and thorough analysis of the relationship between the Obama White House and the John Roberts-led Supreme Court.
Why Sam Adams' church is selling a bit of its history to pay for its future

The historic Old South Church in Boston, to which Sam Adams belonged, plans to sell a 1640 hymn book and Colonial Era silver to fund building repairs and expand its ministry.
Opinion To avoid fiscal cliff, Obama and GOP should compromise like Founding Fathers (+video)

President Obama and John Boehner express optimism that a budget deal to avoid the fiscal cliff will be reached, but gridlock threatens. Politicians would do well to remember that America was established by men who sorely disagreed. Consider the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Thomas Jefferson

Biographer Jon Meacham captures Thomas Jefferson as a person, not just a historical figure.
Opinion It's almost Nov. 6. Do you know what books Obama and Romney have been reading?

John F. Kennedy, Harry S. Truman, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson – many of America's presidents were avid readers, and that informed their decisions. It gave them critical perspective. Americans should be curious about the reading habits of President Obama and Mitt Romney.
The Vote Who coined the name 'United States of America'? Mystery gets new twist.

Historians continue to debate who came up with the formulation 'United States of America' as the name for the new nation. A new discovery could shift the discussion.
The Rise of Rome

Classicist Anthony Everitt recounts the story of Rome's ascent to greatness as a republic and empire.
Obama vs. Romney: 'World War III" for attack ads. But is that bad?

With five months to go until Election Day, the Romney and Obama campaigns are already slinging negative ads. But analysts suggest they're an essential part of voters' decision-making process.
The Monitor's View A lesson on leadership from Africa

The guilty verdict against Charles Taylor, former president of Liberia, is more than a victory for justice. It is a lesson for Africans and other about no holding up 'great leaders' as saviors. Great ideas are better than great people.
Decoder Wire Want to hear Obama sing the blues? Best chance is tonight on PBS.

At a recent White House blues concert, which airs on PBS Monday night, President Obama joined the guest artists for a few bars. When did the White House first become a musical venue?
Opinion Two cheers for super PACs

Super PACs aren’t the constitution-eating monsters critics have made them out to be. In fact, they engage voters in the democratic process. So why only two cheers? Loopholes prevent full transparency on where these groups get their funding. But Congress can fix that.
Opinion The most important election of a lifetime? So say Gingrich et al.

As Gingrich faces Romney in Florida, he calls 2012 the 'most important election of our lifetime.' Sometimes he compares its significance to the pre-Civil War era. GOP rivals like Santorum and key Democrats like Pelosi are also gasping about the stakes. Time to catch our breath.
History for the taking? Man pilfers papers signed by presidents, potentates.

A New York man pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to steal historical documents signed by the likes of Washington, Lincoln, Adams, Marie Antoinette, and Napoleon Bonaparte.
10/27/2011 10:11 pm
“We are what we read”: 4 lessons from David McCullough

David McCullough, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and author – most recently – of “The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris,” imparted words of wisdom to a sold-out crowd at Boston’s Symphony Hall last week. Here are four pieces of advice from McCullough.
10/11/2011 04:19 pm
The New Economy Debt, deficits, and American morals

Behind the impasse in Washington over debt and deficits lies a moral, even religious, problem. How should a Christian respond to the economic debate?
08/13/2011 09:00 am
Decoder Wire A balanced budget amendment to solve the debt crisis? It's an old story.

A proposed amendment to the Constitution requiring a balanced federal budget has been the subject of congressional hearings for 60 years. But the issue is even older than that.
07/28/2011 05:20 pm
Classic Review: 1776

A gripping account of 1776 – a year of "sustained suffering" and "phenomenal courage."
07/03/2011 07:05 am
Chapter & Verse David McCullough talks about "The Greater Journey" and some of his own favorite books

One of the ways that biographer David McCullough learns about his subjects is to raid their libraries.
06/24/2011 09:20 am