John Adams

For the last week we have been watching the HBO miniseries, John Adams which we rented at Blockbusters. Guido and I are truly enjoying it. I had never thought much of the second president, but this has given me a great admiration for John Adams and more so for his wife, Abigail. John was absent for many years of their marriage while the Continental Congress was going on and while overseas as a liaison to France. Abigail raised 4 children, maintained their farm and its tenants, all without any formal education. I have always had an idealistic image of our independence from England, This film gave me a very different perspective, especially of the "Sons of Liberty" who were nothing more than a pack of bullies, who incited crowds to act violently. There were things I didn't know about John Adams like, as a lawyer, he defended the British Officers who were engaged in the Boston Massacre. I wish American History could be taught with this much passion in schools. I think kids would retain so much more than just dates and names. Our founding fathers were great men of character. While other American politicans were cheating on their wives in France's culture of depravity, John remained faithful to his wife. He was a man of principle and followed through on his promises. There are some graphic scenes of the Revolutionary War, and especially of the "Tar and Feathering". It's a great history piece for those history junkies out there. I recommend it highly.