John Adams (book) - Controversy

Controversy

In 2009, McCullough acknowledged that he misquoted Thomas Jefferson in John Adams. He was criticized in a Harper's Magazine review of the book, which claimed that McCullough had mistakenly attributed Jefferson as having referred to the second president as a "colossus of independence." Upon being confronted about the accusation, McCullough admitted that he had, in fact, "erred."

"It's hard work; you're trying to get the truth about distant times," he told The Associated Press. "When you make the mistakes, it's very painful, but you will make mistakes. We're imperfect, in an imperfect world."

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