John Adams – has anyone seen the TV series on him?
CLIVE H asked:
John Adams, the second President of the United States (1797-1801). There was something in my paper about a TV series about John Adams – which has received rave reviews and mass TV audiences in the USA.
John Adams, the second President of the United States (1797-1801). There was something in my paper about a TV series about John Adams – which has received rave reviews and mass TV audiences in the USA.
Your opinion please – even if you have not seen the series of part thereof. What do you think of John Adams or know of him?
John Adams had been VP to George Washington. A post which Adams described as the most insignificant ever invented by man (words to that effect – somewhat more eloquently put though.
ROSEMARIE
December 15th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Dude, watch it. It’s an HBO series. I rented it from Blockbuster, watched it like 3 times. I recommend this special version they have which occasionally displays subtitles giving historical insight into the time periods (it’s on the DVD). It is absolutely fascinating.
John Adams was great, a true American. Obviously he was the centerpiece of this series, but it seems he deserved to be. John Adams was originally excluded from administration business. He felt strange having no power, yet held the 2nd highest office in the land. Despite his quote, he issued more tie-breaking votes than any VP in history, which would technically mean that according to the duties assigned to the VP, he used the position the most.
After you watch it, you’ll feel like an expert on what happened during the birth of this nation (I sure do). It’s really interesting too, because I live near Philly, where a lot of the series takes place. It’s so neat to look at the old historical buildings surrounded by massive skyscrapers, the contrast really speaks to the progress we’ve made as a nation.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I didn’t watch the full series but the adaptation of David McCullough’s book was very well done. It was well received by viewers and critics alike.
Adams was a central figure in many important events of early America. History has shown him to be dedicated to the country, hard working, VERY smart and able to marshal the right people at the right time.
December 18th, 2008 at 9:09 am
yes i did i liked the mini series quite a bit
December 20th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
John Adams was a great American. It should be remembered that in his time, when a president was elected, the winner became president, and the loser became vice- president. People did not run for vice-president. The constitution was later changed. He was a plain spoken person, and not always as diplomatic as he should have been, This created many enemies, including Benjamin Franklin.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
John Adams was an intelligent, articulate leader and Great American Hero. America owes a lot to him. The best description I read of him said ” he was more remarkable as a political philosopher than a politician.”
The office of VP can be insignificant, 16 times in America’s history the office has been vacant, once for as long as 4 years. Zachary Taylor approached Daniel Webster for the position of VP, Webster’s reply was ” I do not intend to be buried until I am dead.”
However, there are two important functions of the VP. One is that the VP is President of the Senate. There are 100 senators in office, two from each state now, if they are tied 50/50 on a vote, the VP casts the deciding vote. John Adams cast the deciding vote 29 times, no VP has come close since.
The other is of course, the VP is next in line should something happen to the President. That’s why the VP has to be trustworthy, intelligent, articulate and someone who would make a great leader. The VP should be someone who would have no trouble being elected President when his term is complete.
As far as the TV series, I was not impressed. It was the least compelling historical series I’ve seen. The period costume designs, the historical accuracy and such was excellent. However, I thought the acting and directing of the series was rather boring, long, and drawn out. But I also think it might be more interesting to someone who doesn’t already know about America in those times.