Making The Presidency by Lindsay M. Chervinsky

TO BE FEATURED IN A MOUNT VERNON BOOK TALK AND AUTHOR SIGNING ON ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2024

An authoritative account of the second president of the United States, revealing how John Adams's leadership and legacy defined the office for his successors and ensured the survival of the American republic.

In 1797, the United States faced significant challenges from both foreign and domestic adversaries. The nation's founder, George Washington, left his vice president, John Adams, with minimal guidance and nearly unattainable expectations. Adams encountered fierce partisan divisions, debates over citizenship, fears of political violence, potential foreign conflicts with France and Britain, and widespread doubt about the presidency's viability without Washington at the helm.

"Making the Presidency" is an authoritative exploration of the second U.S. presidency, a crucial period for the American republic's survival. Through meticulous research and engaging prose, Lindsay Chervinsky illustrates the unique challenges Adams faced and how he shaped the office for future presidents. Despite being one of the most qualified presidents in American history—having been a legislator, political theorist, diplomat, minister, and vice president—Adams had never held an executive position. Instead, the quixotic and stubborn Adams relied on his ideas about executive power, the Constitution, politics, and the global landscape to navigate the presidency's hurdles. He defended the presidency against his often obstructionist cabinet, protected the nation from foreign threats, and fostered trust in election integrity and the peaceful transfer of power between parties, even at the cost of his political future.

Offering a portrait of one of the most fascinating and influential periods in U.S. history, "Making the Presidency" is a must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of the presidency and the creation of political norms and customs central to the American republic.