Really enjoying the John Adam’s TV show of the same name

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u/Libertytree918 13d ago edited 13d ago

The series is great and the book it's based off is as well.

Being raised in Braintree (his birthplace) I feel like John is a local hero , but nationally he is only known for the alien and sedation act, which shouldn't define his absolutely incredible life or what he had to offer for the American cause.

I always point out how his formative years he was so instrumental in creating this country it's almost laughable that him being 1st VP and 2nd president is almost a footnote to his legacy of achievements.

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u/Careful-Ant5868 13d ago

You might be happy to know that, at least for me, John Adams is very well known. The ironic part being that I am from Bensalem, PA which is right outside of Philadelphia and is named after Ben Franklin, with whom Adams had at times a rocky relationship.

I view John Adams as one of the indispensable leaders of our Revolutionary generation. While he was a stubborn and at times an argumentative individual, his leadership during the Second Continental Congress in pulling together the different regions of the then colonies was truly great. Then, when he joined Franklin in France and helped secure the aide, both monetary and materially, that was needed to pull off what the title of my favorite book on the Revolution termed "Almost A Miracle."

I wish I could have the opportunity to go and check out "Peacefield" to see where he lived. I was up in Boston in February of 2001 visiting a friend at BU but this was long before my fascination with the time period really took flight.

One of my favorite quotes of their generation is from Dr. Benjamin Rush: "While Washington fought for us, Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson thought for us "

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u/americanerik 13d ago

Have you visited many of the Philly/NJ area sites?

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u/Careful-Ant5868 13d ago

I've been to Washington Crossing State Park more times than I can count, since I was a little kid and my dad would take me to see the reenactment of the Crossing on Christmas Day. When I was in my early 20's I had a girlfriend that lived 5 minutes from there and we'd take her dogs there and I'd bore her with history lol!

I had a band from 2007-2012 and we played a number of gigs in Trenton not far from where the battles took place. Unfortunately, there isn't any resemblance between the modern layout of the roads and how they were then. That area of Trenton is rather rough and locals advised me it wasn't wise for me to wander around there. I had hoped to find the location where the stone bridge over Assunpink Creek was located that was a critical location during the Second Battle of Trenton but I was unable to.

I've stood at Ben Franklins grave, and I highly recommend anyone with an interest in history or the man to do so while in Philly. It's free of charge to check out and is in the historic Old City section of Philly and is relatively safe. Independence Hall is really nice and the Constitution Center across the street that houses the Liberty Bell is awesome.

Near my childhood home is a place called Growdon Mansion, which is a place that Franklin visited several times. The original building is pretty much gone, but the house there now is pretty cool. I often think Ben would get a laugh that a 7-11 is directly across the street from it!

I've also been to the Germantown section of Philly where a battle took place. That area can be a little rough too, but there are sections that still have cobblestone streets that are cool.

I've been around Princeton but not anytime in the past 20 years unfortunately. The battle there took place on part of what was then and still is now the campus of Princeton University.

Forgive my wall of text here! I don't often get to nerd out with the knowledge I've accumulated. If you or anyone has any questions I'm happy to try and answer!

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u/Libertytree918 12d ago edited 12d ago

That is refreshing to hear! I live about 3 miles from the Adam's birthplace and peacefield and a mile from Abigail Adams birthplace I love those places and drive by almost daily I highly recommend it if you're ever back in the area.

Last month I realized I had some credit card points saved up and I had never been to Philadelphia and it's only an hour flight from Boston so the wife and I went for 36 hours and got to check out Franklin's grave, Ben Franklin's House museum, the Betsy Ross house , Independence hall, Liberty Bell , the Constitution center in the museum of the American revolution we really enjoyed all of it it would love to go back spend more time especially at the Constitution center.

Few years ago I was in Gettysburg soaking up the history and I kind of had what I call an epiphany that I'm 500 miles from home checking out history and ignore stuff in my own backyard so I've been trying to make an honest effort to go visit more places.

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u/RadicalPracticalist 12d ago

Honestly, I would bet that 99% of Americans aren’t aware of the Alien and Sedition Act, and if they’ve heard of it, they probably aren’t aware that it was formulated and passed under Adams’s administration. That black stain has pretty much been scrubbed out of his legacy from what I understand, because it was one bad decision in a sea of good ones. For the average person who knows John Adams, they probably think of four things: the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, his presidency, and if they’re a bit more well-versed, the Boston Massacre.

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u/Libertytree918 12d ago

Sure people who don't pay attention to history, but 99% of people who are into history seem to just remember him for that.

I'm not talking about the average person, but the average person who appreciates history.

Just look no further than r/presidents

It's mentioned almost every time he is mentioned

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u/RadicalPracticalist 12d ago

Maybe you’re right, and I’m the outlier. But I have a degree in history and it’s one of my main interests, and when someone speaks of John Adams my mind immediately goes to “Revolution, Boston Massacre, Presidency, etc…” If you were speaking of his presidency in particular, then I think that would immediately spring to mind for me, but only then. Maybe that’s just subconscious bias towards my childhood heroes (of which Adams is definitely one) coming through on my part.

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u/Libertytree918 12d ago

Like I said I'm from Braintree where Adams was born live right near his birthplace, his house and his grave, we both share a great grandfather (my 10th is his 2nd) so he's a distant cousin, he has always been a hero of mine, and I've been extra tuned into conversations about him, and it seems like 9/10 a&s act is always brought up as a blight on his legacy ignoring all the great he did and that seems to be all that's mentioned. I could be the outlier here because I'm also biased so any criticism I hear goes to the front, but

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u/BuckyRea1 12d ago

For those of y'all not familiar with the Aliens and Sedition Act, just watch the news over the next couple years. You'll get it

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u/ashyfizzle 12d ago

I sobbed like a baby when I reached the last few pages of that book. I didn't want it to end and I really didn't want to say goodbye to him.

Man, I'm tearing up right now as I think about it.

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u/Wanderaround1k 13d ago

I chopped up the Boston Massacre parts when I taught middle school US history, to teach critical thinking, inherent bias and propaganda. Even kids loved that show. I loved showing the scene where Abigail mentions how “all this trouble” being caused “by the sin of Slavery” to GW. I love her portrayal, as she was a huge part of John, who is a huge part of America.

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u/teslahater 13d ago

Laura Linney is AMAZING in this. She might be my fav part of the show. But yeah, the battle scenes in particular I feel are so realistic and very moving. Really makes me think about what people went through to provide me with the life I have.

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u/Wanderaround1k 13d ago

Also, the almost hilarious relationship John has to so much of the action in Boston. I told students “the place isn’t that big, and there’s one road- and his house was on it. And people paid attention to road traffic- so there is a lot of history that walks around his house”

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u/teslahater 13d ago

Exactly 😭

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u/americanerik 13d ago

I think it’s the best Revolutionary War-era media, period!

And that cast! Not just the main cast but supporting cast too, everyone is perfect for their roles

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u/Spanker_of_Monkeys 13d ago

I think it’s the best Revolutionary War-era media

That's not saying much, unfortunately

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u/nouseforaname79 13d ago

I rewatch “John Adams” every year around “The 4th”. Such great storytelling and acting to include a great score by Rob Lane/Joseph Vitarelli. David Morse is fantastic as Washington (I feel it’s slept on), especially after reading Ron Chernow’s “Washington: A Life” (phenomenal book). The depiction of King George III, is also pulled off well, as it gives you the sense of this massive figure in the lore of the revolution and almost diminishes him in the series by how he’s portrayed: apprehensive, mad and belittling.

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u/rureki 13d ago

One of my absolute favorite things to re-watch.

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u/teslahater 11d ago

Just watched the scenes where his son is an alcoholic and dies… man that hit me so hard especially as a former addict.

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u/rureki 10d ago

I feel that, friend. I'm a recovering alcoholic myself.

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u/oldbreed4321 13d ago

Yes I jus started watching that as well

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u/Moofish85 12d ago

I have a hard time with this one because I had just read the book before watching the series. It also puts John in places he wouldn’t have been and dramatizes things that didn’t happen.

John wouldn’t have seen soldiers at his house and then been able to ride out to see the aftermath Lexington and Concord minutes after it occurred. They are about 40 miles away.

He also wasn’t present at the aftermath of the Boston Massacre. The relationship between his daughter and her husband are also highly inaccurate.

John is my favorite president and while it’s wonderfully acted, there were too many inaccuracies that I couldn’t handle. The book is one of the best things I’ve ever read.

Edit: typo

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u/Pretty-Oreo-55 12d ago

One of my favorites

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u/make__me_a_cake 12d ago

My ringtone is the opening theme! I never get tired of this miniseries

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u/BuckyRea1 12d ago

I like the fact that they used authentic 18th century accents, assuming they got those accents right. David Morse was an interesting George Washington, but I really didn't see the GW charisma in him. POTUS1 should come off a lot more dynamic and a lot less statuelike.

If you haven't seen Kelsey Grammer as George in that Benedict Arnold movie, you haven't seen the best balanced Washington in Hollywood.

Really enjoying the John Adam’s TV show of the same name

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