Gr 4-8 This serviceable biography covers the significant events in this First Lady's life, focusing primarily on her relationships with her husband and her children. McCarthy quotes frequently from the subject's many letters and her words are often enlightening. Unfortunately, the author's prose is rather dry and workmanlike. In addition, the sidebars are often not directly related to Adams's story and are distracting rather than illuminating. Numerous subheadings, maps, and black-and-white reproductions break up the text. Natalie S. Bober's Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution (Atheneum, 1995) and Angela Osborne's Abigail Adams: Women's Rights Advocate (Chelsea, 1989) are better choices. -Janice Greenberg, formerly at Brooklyn Public Library, NY Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.