Chrissy and I are better Americans, personally, probably for having digested the 8+ hour HBO Miniseries John Adams. To be immersed in the rich language, sweet passion for country, rich honor, deep integrity, blood-earnestness were sobering and convicting.
John Adams is probably less of a hero now, having learned more of him. As an American and a President, he was a bulwark. As a father, he was too absent to be effective. Would America be less American today if he hadn’t, essentially, forsaken his children during their youth?
Perhaps McCullough left out a warm religious fervor and fatherly affection that were indeed present that would endear me again. Have you seen the series, and what were your thoughts?
“No, Posterity, you will never know how much it cost us to preserve your freedom. I hope that you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.”
I received the series as a Father’s Day present from my children. I watched one episode per day until finished and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was such a breath of fresh air to watch a series that was based more on genuine dialogue rather than action and special effects.
I was fascinated by the portrayal of the battles between the what we today would call “special interests groups” You could even see the seeds of the Civil War in what each side was fighting over.
One thing that makes this series good is that I was left with a thirst to know more about some the characters — Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton, etc.
Recommend
[I only regret that I did not have a greater interest in history when I lived minutes away from where all of this happened in Bristol, PA just outside of Philly. Growing up I lived two doors down from a tavern/inn that was built in 1773, who knows could have slep there. The house I lived in was built no later than 1820.]
I haven’t seen the movie (the arguments wake Aubrey up and create a lot of difficult questions to answer to a semi-groggy 3 yr old), but McCullough’s book impressed me with his description of Adams’ religious affections. It wasn’t “Light and Glory” descriptions, but it was clear enough to reflect – or at least indicate – this aspect of his character. How did the movie differ?
Maybe we’ll take the movie into the hospital to watch during labor. What do you suggest?