Dearest Friend...

I promised that I would recommend a few of my favorite books appropriate to the season. This book was given to me for my birthday one year and was a favorite gift. I just love it. Women are left out of history because they were not allowed to be the major players. Abigail Adams was one of the first women to look after the rights of the "ladies" and she had the brains to do it.

Thanks to her prolific letter writing, we have some insight into the thoughts of a great patriot as she wrote to her, "Dearest Friend" and many others as well.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is where she says this, "I begin to think that a calm is not desirable in any situation in life. Every object is most beautiful in motion, a ship under sail, trees gently agitated with the wind, and a fine woman dancing... man was made for action." It's a good thing that she felt that way because she was a woman who was forced to work very hard in her life. She accomplished greatness.

I am so appreciative to Ms. Withey for her efforts in writing this book. I am very touched by the integrity that she has as an author. I felt that she did not try to put words or thoughts into Abigail's head, but allowed Abigail's own words and the words of the other founders speak for themselves. This is the hard work of the dedicated historian and I felt that Ms. Withey took the road less traveled and it did indeed make all the difference. Reading this book was an experience that I am very grateful to have had.