Is anyone watching John Adams on HBO? (historical, years, USA)

[rockky]

I watched the first two episodes this afternoon and was thoroughly entertained.

I am curious about what other folks may think of the series.

[Prettygyrl777]

Hmm... I don't subscribe to HBO but Rush Limbaugh was going on and on about it today on his show. Must be some program. Is there any other way to watch it? Do you think it will available on dvd later?

[Trudy Rose]

Same here, no HBO... but I bet it will show up on DVD or A&E eventually

[roxiemack]

have not been able to see the series, no hbo. i read the book a couple of years ago. what a FANTASTIC read. don't miss it

[Paleoroundtable]

Fascinating. No doubt about it. I love history.

[recycled]

When HBO does a mini series, they often do good things. I have seen two episodes of this program and it's well done and seems to be historically accurate. John Adams was one of the key players in the early history of the USA, and this series (as well as the book of the same title) tells us a lot more about this person who was passed over by most history books or classes.

[gentlearts]

We are hooked on it. It's like moisture in the desert.

[rockky]

I totally agree with the positive assessments! I've watched the first two episodes three times each. I actually do have a life, but I shared the series with folks who were here visiting.

Does anyone know why Caesar Rodney was portrayed as such a different sort of physical presence? He's not been forgotten in Delaware.

[rockky]

I think I found the answer to my question about Rodney....

John Adams described Rodney, suffering from asthma as well as skin cancer of the face, as "the oddest looking man in the world; he is tall, thin and slender as a reed, and pale; his face is not bigger than a large apple, yet there is sense and fire, spirit, wit and humor in this countenance." The cancer on his face was a source of great discomfort for many years and was so disfiguring that he often wore a green silk scarf to conceal it. Goodrich summed up his character as "a man of great integrity, and of pure patriotic feeling. He delighted, when necessary, to sacrifice his private interests for the public good. He was remarkably distinguished for a degree of good humor and vivacity; and in generosity of character was an ornament to human nature."

Since this assessment was made by Adams, it seems they used it in the series.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by rockky

I think I found the answer to my question about Rodney....

John Adams described Rodney, suffering from asthma as well as skin cancer of the face, as "the oddest looking man in the world; he is tall, thin and slender as a reed, and pale; his face is not bigger than a large apple, yet there is sense and fire, spirit, wit and humor in this countenance." The cancer on his face was a source of great discomfort for many years and was so disfiguring that he often wore a green silk scarf to conceal it. Goodrich summed up his character as "a man of great integrity, and of pure patriotic feeling. He delighted, when necessary, to sacrifice his private interests for the public good. He was remarkably distinguished for a degree of good humor and vivacity; and in generosity of character was an ornament to human nature."

Since this assessment was made by Adams, it seems they used it in the series.

I always think of how grateful I am for modern medicine when I see how people lived with such terrible physical burdens in those days that could have been easily cured today.
Imagine the bravery of Abigail in being by herself and deciding to get the children smallpox vaccinations, despite the fact they could have died from it.
If you've ever had a toothache for the few hours it took you to get to the dentist, imagine living with a sore mouth every day of your adult life.
For those of us whose ancesters managed to survive....aren't we lucky?