Wife, Mother, Patriot
Historical fiction at it's best, a novel that flows like we are there with Abigail!
This is a story of her life and the birth of a nation. The sacrifices that she made are incredible, but she is also very smart. She did fight for women's rights, hard to believe that women really had nothing!
As we follow this courageous women and all the obstacles she faced, you truly see how amazing she was. She fights on and takes pride in both her husband and children, and country.
I did not realize that she had so much tragedy in her life, she was such a roll model!
I am so glad to have read this book about such a courageous women!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher William Morrow, and was not required to give a positive review.

Founding Mothers by Stephanie Dray is a captivating and beautifully written novel that brings the women of the American Revolution out of the shadows and into the center of history, portraying figures like Martha Washington and Eliza Hamilton as intelligent, influential, and deeply human. Dray blends meticulous historical research with emotional storytelling, exploring friendship, sacrifice, and the personal costs of building a nation while keeping the narrative engaging and accessible. The novel’s strength lies in its heart—its vivid relationships, compelling inner lives, and reminder that America’s founding was shaped not only by famous men and battles, but by resilient women whose voices and choices mattered profoundly.

Abigail Adams is highly capable of raising her children and running a household while her husband is away. In spite of the legal constraints on women of the day, she flexibly invests in properties and businesses to keep her family and many of those less fortunate around her supplied with the basic needs of life. But she is unsettled about it. She and John Adams have much love, and an unusual kind of all encompassing trust for each other. But most of their lives are lived in challenging but, sadly, parallel adventures. The letters that these stories are based on are the truths behind their stranger than fiction lives. You will walk the walk of an eighteenth century colonial family separated by politics, war, and service to their country. There are decisions that are life and death, frustrations with both friends and the common man, and moral lines to be straddled in politics and society. No holds are barred as they have discussions regarding their sometimes contrasting opinions of colleagues or moral dilemmas. Finally able to spend their old age together, there are some unsettled reflections Abigail and John share together about how they handled things along the way. Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoi do not sweep anything under the rug. In the end you will feel you saw the full measure of the good, the bad, and the ugly in the amazing life of Abigail Adams. Abigail knew the sacrifices of her commitments as she supported her husband's political missions for the survival of the fledgling nation called the United States. She more than John saw how this changed their relationship and their family and who her children were. You may find, like I did, that Abigail and John Adams held their friendship. their marriage , and their commitment to family as the most important things in life. But they sacrificed all for their personal commitments to patriotism, and their foundational mission of forging the basis of a long term survival for their country. I for one, saw clearly. after this read, how grateful during our country’s 250th anniversary we should be for not just our Founding Fathers, but for the one and only Abigail Adams., one of our Founding Mothers.

A stunning and important historical novel focusing on Founding Mother Abigail Adams, wife of a president, and later mother of a president. This beautifully written, meticulously researched story makes the personal sacrifices come alive of patriots behind the scenes like Abigail, who effectively advanced the cause of the American Revolution as profoundly as any soldier. If you read one histfic book this year, choose "A Founding Mother!"

A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamdie is a wonderfully written novel about Abigail Adams’ impact on her husband, John and her son, John Quincy during a period when women basically were not supposed to have opinions and if they did they definitely shouldn’t express them. Fortunately, Abigail Adams, a self taught reader and writer, was a prolific letter writer and the authors give their readers a good sample of her opinions. This reviewer also appreciated the ‘refresher course’ in our nation’s founding as we approach the 250th anniversary. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.