Louisa

The Extraordinary Life of Mrs. Adams

By: Louisa Thomas

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

An intimate portrait of Louisa Catherine Adams, the wife of John Quincy Adams, who witnessed firsthand the greatest transformations of her time.

Born in London to an American father and a British mother on the eve of the Revolutionary War, Louisa Catherine Johnson was raised in circumstances very different from the New England upbringing of future president John Quincy Adams, whose life had been dedicated to public service from the earliest age. And yet John Quincy fell in love with her almost despite himself. Their often tempestuous but deeply close marriage lasted half a century.

They lived in Prussia, Massachusetts, Washington, Russia, and England, at royal courts, on farms, in cities, and in the White House. Louisa saw more of Europe and America than nearly any other woman of her time. But wherever she lived, she was always pressing her nose against the glass, not quite sure whether she was looking in or out. The other members of the Adams family could take their identity for granted - they were Adamses; they were Americans - but she had to invent her own. The story of Louisa Catherine Adams is one of a woman who forged a sense of self. As the country her husband led found its place in the world, she found a voice. That voice resonates still.

In this deeply felt biography, the talented journalist and historian Louisa Thomas finally gives Louisa Catherine Adams' full extraordinary life its due. An intimate portrait of a remarkable woman, a complicated marriage, and a pivotal historical moment, Louisa Thomas' biography is a masterful work from an elegant storyteller.

©2016 Louisa Thomas (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“[A] lushly detailed, authoritative book.” (Smithsonian.com)

“Utterly enjoyable.... Louisa thus leaps from the page as contradictory, observant, ambivalent, self-pitying, strong, and human.” (Bookforum)

“Thomas has written an insightful, compassionate portrait of a young girl expected to be prim and passive, who grew into a strong woman, an avid writer, and shrewd political partner. Readers of biography will find Thomas’s book engaging as well as educating.” (Historical Novels Reviews)

If you love history from a woman's point of view!

Yes it did meet my expectations, and then some. Excellent detail, excellent narration , great story about a woman behind a significant figure in early American history.

Louisa Adams, An Interesting Woman

I found this biography of Louisa Adams both interesting and amazing. She was a woman of intellect, courage, and complexity. Her ability to go forth and conquer, when required, and to suffer crushing losses and poor health, along with some psychological signs of the stresses of her life, have been written with insight, honesty and compassion. That she and her husband, John Quincy Adams, were ill-suited for each other in many ways, and yet strangely often good both for them single and together, was a credit to them both.

Insightful

Many years ago I read a book about Louisa Adams and was impressed with her courage in traveling alone with child and servant from St. Petersburg to Paris. She crossed Russia in winter through war zones on a troika. When I heard an interview with Louisa Thomas about her new book about Louisa Adams I bought it right away.

Louisa was born in England and educated in Catholic schools in both England and France. After marrying John Q. Adams they lived in Europe and she perfected the role of a diplomat’s wife. Louisa was unusual for a woman of that era as she was educated and spoke a number of languages. John Q. Adams spoke nine languages and she was not far behind him. She was fluent in French and English and passable in Latin, Greek, Dutch, Portuguese, German and Russian. She wrote music and played the harp and she became a writer. When she was First Lady her European manners made her exotic. She had four children but had many miscarriages. Louisa was a strong willed, intelligent and independent woman who chafed under the role of women in that era. She wrote “I cannot believe that there is any inferiority in the sexes as far as the mind and intellect are concerned.” I was impressed to learn from the book that Louisa met Napoleon Bonaparte.

The book is well written and researched. The author had access to all her correspondence as well as diaries, poetry, plays, fiction and non- fiction stories and two autobiographies. With access to all this information it is no wonder the author was able to write such an interesting book about Louisa. I wish the author would have included more information about Louisa’s thoughts and role in the antislavery movement and also in women’s rights. It must have been difficult having Abigail as a mother in law but Louisa was so intelligent she held her own in this intellectual family. Kirstein Potter did a good job narrating the book.

What was the point?

What a tragic life!
Her life was full of sorrow. Although she at times rose the the occasion of making a difference, I didn’t think it was worth an entire biography. I was bored and just wanted the tragedy to end.

Fascinating Biography!

Gripping! Like the title says, Louisa Adams lived an extraordinary life! I am certain I will return to this story again which is not something I often do.

Great!

Wonderful narrative about a woman who deserves more praise than history has given her. I really enjoyed this book.

Extraordinary guide through her time, our history

The life of this First Lady is a wonderful human story, and a fresh time machine back to our founding and early days of the Republic. it also fills in the steps that led to Civil War, and sets the table for how we got to now.

Very enjoyable look at a different time

I really didn’t know much of Louisa Adams life. She was an amazing women, an inspiration for all to life a full life.

Terrible!

I’m a history lover, but this book is one of the worst I’ve read or heard. The narration is even worse than the writing, if possible. Although I continued listening in hope that it would improve, I finally gave up sometime during chapter 5 of the book.