The Letters of John and Abigail Adams provide an insightful record of American life before, during, and after the Revolution; they also reveal the intellectually and emotionally fulfilling relationship between John and Abigail that lasted fifty-four years and withstood historical upheavals, long periods apart, and personal tragedies. Covering key moments in American history—the Continental Congress, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War, and John Adams' diplomatic missions to Europe—the letters reveal the concerns of a couple living during a period of explosive change—from smallpox and British warships to raising children, paying taxes, the state of women, and the emerging concepts of American democracy.