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JOHN ADAMS is a seven-part epic miniseries event that explores American history through the eyes of one of its greatest founding fathers, John Adams (Giamatti), a fiercely independent spirit whose unwavering vision steered America through a tumultuous period.
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594
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(23 of 23)
May 8, 2008 5:33 PM
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Exactly! lol
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(22 of 23)
May 7, 2008 2:48 PM
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>>>It's interesting though, that alot of people will invoke the words of these documents when something happens where they really need it.
Yes, like freedom of speech. It's fine as long as the speaker isn't expressing an opinion contrary to my own. 
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(21 of 23)
May 7, 2008 11:52 AM
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> I praise HBO for this epic drama. I hope that all
> schools are shown this series in it's entirety.
> History seems to be absent from the schools which is
> s why most of the young generation of today are so
> ignorant of their past. Anything before their birth
> and non-fitting with their own little electronic
> cultures is ignored. No wonder patriotism in the
> youth is defied.
Absolutely! I think it's a fantastic series and would only enhance the learning experience in schools. I think the kids would love it. History is so important yet it doesn't always get the respect it deserves in schools and that trickles down to a non-chalant shrug from the kids when you approach them about history and what it means to our country and to them.
Want to hear a horror story? My daughter's senior year, she was taking World History. On more than one occasion, after asking her how school was, she cheerfully announced that instead of reviewing notes for an upcoming critical chapter test, the entire class spent their valuable class time instead watching the stinkburger movie Major Payne.
Major Payne?! The teacher's explanation was that she was tired from the long work week, and decided she wanted a break so she put the movie in instead. So the woman cops out from teaching that day, and couldn't put something that was even remotely related to the subject they were talking about? Apparently, this wasn't the first time she had done this; they've watched Forrest Gump, Mousehunt, and Shrek. Unbelieveable! 
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Host_Ginna
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3/31/08
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(20 of 23)
Apr 26, 2008 3:18 AM
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I praise HBO for this epic drama. I hope that all schools are shown this series in it's entirety. History seems to be absent from the schools which is why most of the young generation of today are so ignorant of their past. Anything before their birth and non-fitting with their own little electronic cultures is ignored. No wonder patriotism in the youth is defied.
This is a must see for anyone and a great trip back to a past with no comparison to our present. You have to love our Founding Fathers. At least they made sacrifices that many of us of today never would have.
I applaud this series and have watched it numerous times. I hope to see multiple awards which are well deserved.
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(19 of 23)
Apr 16, 2008 11:13 AM
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If the movie has stirred others
> to an interest in the founding of our country, then
> it is worth every penny.
I think if more people dug deeper into the foundation of this country, and really looked hard, we'd have more patriotic Americans. I think patriotism is by and large like the ocean in this country, it ebbs and flows depending on what's happening at the moment, be it a holiday, a crisis, an election, etc. It's not always a constant, which is sad.
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Host_Ginna
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(18 of 23)
Apr 9, 2008 5:41 PM
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I also agree. I had already started studying Jefferson after a visit to Monticello last spring (my 19 year old son's request) and now have started studying all the founding fathers and their beliefs. An added benefit is that my son is now a college freshman studying Locke, Kant and de Tocqueville, so he and I are having a running e-mail conversation about the various political views of those men, and Adams and Jefferson. If the movie has stirred others to an interest in the founding of our country, then it is worth every penny.
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(17 of 23)
Apr 9, 2008 11:23 AM
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If this series> causes just one more person in a family to go back
> and read the declaration of independence or
> constitution or the bill of rights it is worth every
> dollar spent on it.
I couldn't agree more. I think as a nation we have by and large forgotten our origins and the very roots of how our country was formed. This is especially true with our youth. It's interesting though, that alot of people will invoke the words of these documents when something happens where they really need it. (Court cases, etc). A source of pride it seems not to be as much as it should be nowadays.
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Host_Ginna
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(16 of 23)
Apr 5, 2008 1:14 AM
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It is amazing to me to read the negative postings and such about this series. I have so far found it to be extremely thought provoking causing me to look back on historical documents and events. I hope that this is what HBO was hoping to accomplish, not just making a buck or two but to make people realize the effort that went into building this country. Many parts have caused my heart to swell but none so much as hearing the declaration read aloud for the first time and immagining the potential for them. If this series causes just one more person in a family to go back and read the declaration of independence or constitution or the bill of rights it is worth every dollar spent on it. Well done ladies and gentlemen, well done.
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(15 of 23)
Mar 24, 2008 12:58 PM
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> JOIN OR DIE? Not everyone agreed with a concept of
> an independent America during that age. IN fact there
> were many who took up arms in support of Great
> Britain. Most of the Torries were New Englanders who
> would not fathom parting with the Crown for a
> multitude of reasons. And then of the Native
> Americans who were already here, I'm sure they were
> eager to have more whites infringing upon their
> lands...And the Blacks who were enslaved here?
> thousands willingly took up arms when the British
> offered them freedom. And then there was the
> frontiersman who was removed from what went on in
> Boston. It is estimated that only 1 in 5 remotely
> cared about the Revolutionary Movement and actively
> supported its cause, however everyone enjoyed its
> victory. That is except the Indians who lost their
> lands, the Blacks who failed to escape and were
> returned to a state of slavery, and the most ardent
> Tory hanged or displaced. It sounds more like a bunch
> of rich snobby New Englanders who no longer wanted
> the British prying into what they did and certainly
> didnt want to pay taxes to a Sovereign who was
> thousands of miles away.
Outside of New York City, the greatest concentration of Loyalists was in the southern colonies.
The frontiersmen were mostly for Independence as the British had curtailed western expansion for decades. Don't forget, it was the "over mountain men" who came and defeated the loyalists at Kings Mountain.
The issue of the Native Americans will never be rectified. It remains one of the great blots on American history. As is true of slavery.
According to John Adams, the split amongst colonists was closer to 1/3 for, 1/3 against, and 1/3 indifferent.
The good from the Revolution does not outway the bad. Neither does the bad outway all the good.
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1/24/08
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(14 of 23)
Mar 24, 2008 12:41 PM
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JOIN OR DIE? Not everyone agreed with a concept of an independent America during that age. IN fact there were many who took up arms in support of Great Britain. Most of the Torries were New Englanders who would not fathom parting with the Crown for a multitude of reasons. And then of the Native Americans who were already here, I'm sure they were eager to have more whites infringing upon their lands...And the Blacks who were enslaved here? thousands willingly took up arms when the British offered them freedom. And then there was the frontiersman who was removed from what went on in Boston. It is estimated that only 1 in 5 remotely cared about the Revolutionary Movement and actively supported its cause, however everyone enjoyed its victory. That is except the Indians who lost their lands, the Blacks who failed to escape and were returned to a state of slavery, and the most ardent Tory hanged or displaced. It sounds more like a bunch of rich snobby New Englanders who no longer wanted the British prying into what they did and certainly didnt want to pay taxes to a Sovereign who was thousands of miles away.
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(13 of 23)
Re: Adams wasn't all that HBO!
Mar 22, 2008 9:49 PM
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John Adams was far more than McCullough and HBO can reasonably due justice to. Thomas Jefferson himself proclaimed Adams the "Colossus of Independence".
John Adams was not perfect, not by a long shot. He could be vain, intemperate, jealous, and down right spiteful. He was also completely honest, highly intelligent, feverently patriotic, and kept the interests of his country above his own.
John Adams was indespensable in the cause for American Independence.
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3/22/08
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(12 of 23)
Re: Adams wasn't all that HBO!
Mar 22, 2008 6:22 PM
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John Adams not important to the American Revolution?!?! I strongly beg to differ. The American Revolution was founded by a group of wealthy men who wanted to get out paying their taxes. Adams, not of wealthy descent, brought a more "common man" approach to the Revolution. His beliefs came from true liberty for every man, not just the wealthy. Granted Adams was NOT a successful lawyer or farmer/landowners as th eothers but he had the focus, vision and powers of his beliefs.
The American Revolution, constitution and our country today would be very different if ew did not have a "common man" proporting the liberties of ALL men.
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9/17/02
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(11 of 23)
Mar 16, 2008 11:47 PM
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Accents accurate? Sounds more English than American. I would think they would be more American even back then since the folk in Boston had been settled for 100 yrs. Seemed like a mx of both, but what does History say? I know for certain history books say that Washington and Jefferson had more of a twang to their accents, more closely to rural virginia.
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(10 of 23)
Mar 12, 2008 4:43 PM
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It will be interesting to see the level of relevant context, in comparing the political troubles of then to today's issues. If there's any that are really tangible.
It's great to see so many people who believe in history as entertainment! The writer of this article agrees, and certainly carries a torch for our Founding Fathers. A kind level of admiration, to be sure. There's also a good preview of the series, with a little behind the scenes, as well:
http://meetinthelobby.com/new-movie-preview-john-adams-miniseries.html
Enjoy!
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2/12/06
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(9 of 23)
Mar 2, 2008 1:45 PM
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I look forward to this as well. Let's hope that HBO does not kowtow to political correctness.
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