Natalie Bober has written a very readable account of an American 18th century wife’s experiences managing a large family and running several farms while her husband serves with little or no pay on his fledgling country’s first political bodies and eventually as its second president.
The unexpected and, to me shocking, revelations were the extreme economic hardships and diseases that were experienced. On the other hand, I was also also impressed by the strength and support of Abilgail’s large extended family in rearing one another’s children and helping with chores, loans and professional skills.
It was also interesting to see Adams become the proponent of a strong presidency backed by the upper classes…. strangely predictive of the present administration.
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