I'm very aware how many distractions the reader has in life today, how many good reasons there are to put the book down.

My shorthand answer is that I try to write the kind of book that I would like to read. If I can make it clear and interesting and compelling to me, then I hope maybe it will be for the reader.

I came across a lot of material I wanted to use for the Adams book and wasn't able to,

I think how pleased he and Abigail would be if they were here to see how we've gathered today, ... to see the country they so loved still independent, still united and thriving, still strong, still free, and this grand old house looking so magnificent.

When I began, I thought that the way one should work was to do all the research and then write the book.

Every book is a new journey. I never felt I was an expert on a subject as I embarked on a project.