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Post by Jim Boylston on Mar 21, 2008 10:27:48 GMT -5
Just curious if any of you are watching the HBO "John Adams" mini-series. Thoughts? Jim
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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 21, 2008 15:05:52 GMT -5
I don't get HBO, but I plan on renting it at some point. The only negative review I've seen was a criticism of the casting of Giamatti as Adams and/or his performance.
AW
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Post by Jim Boylston on Mar 21, 2008 16:37:49 GMT -5
I'm actually enjoying Giametti's performance, but can't vouch for the historical acuracy. McCullough's Adams bio has been on my reading list for some time, but I have yet to get around to it. McCullough reportedly loves the show. Production values are very high too, which is always a plus. Jim
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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 21, 2008 17:13:17 GMT -5
Yes, I've heard only good things about the series, other than that one review of Giamatti, but I really liked him in "Sideways." It was fun to visit the bar in Los Olivos where they filmed the "drunk dialing" scene. The place was directly across the street from Fess Parker's inn and spa.
McCullough's book on Adams is one of those I moved to the "have read" pile some time ago. It was a terrific book and I see why McCullough received so much praise for it. Isn't he considered an "avocational historian" too?
AW
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Post by Herb on Mar 21, 2008 18:13:29 GMT -5
Isn't he considered an "avocational historian" too? AW Yeah, but reread the Washington Post Review you posted about historians! ;D I wasn't too sure about the casting either, but having watched the first two episodes and the "making of" special, I'm enjoying it. John Adams wasn't one of my Revolutionary era interests, but this show is sparking a desire to study up on him a bit.
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Post by Jim Boylston on Mar 21, 2008 18:55:02 GMT -5
The characterization of Franklin is very good, I think. How about David Morse as Washington? Jim
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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 21, 2008 23:03:14 GMT -5
I think that is why McCullough chose Adams as his subject. He seemed to be a largely forgotten man among the founders, yet clearly one of the most interesting and influential in those days. I think McCullough's book "rescued" Adams and restored him to the place he deserves. I'll never get over that description of he and Jefferson dying on the same day. I first heard the story during a tour of Monticello.
I also enjoyed Brands' book on Franklin ("First American"), although other of Brands' works haven't been nearly as impressive (especially his book on Jackson). I'm planning a trip to Boston next month and I'm going to see if it's possible to see Adams' house in Braintree.
AW
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Post by bobdurham on Mar 24, 2008 10:17:00 GMT -5
I just finished Brands' Andrew Jackson book -- I agree with you, I was hoping for a lot more. I've enjoyed the John Adams mini series a lot -- I had misgivings about Giamatti's casting as John Adams but he's impressed me a lot. He's a great actor. The production values seem to be extremely high; costuming, uniforms, sets. Years ago, I visited John Adams' home -- from what I remember, they seem to have that right. And I especially like their use of all the flags -- small thing, I know, but I've got a thing about flags. There's a good review at AmericanHeritage.com: americanheritage.com/entertainment/articles/web/031708-Adams_John_Adams_Paul_Giamatti_Laura_Linney_HBO.shtml
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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 24, 2008 11:04:36 GMT -5
That's a good piece on the series. I'm glad to see that Allen Barra is still with "American Heritage."
AW
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Post by bobdurham on Mar 24, 2008 11:47:25 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure American Heritage is where Barra wants to post the interview with Mark Lemon. He's very interested in the Alamo -- sent me some pictures of a huge Alamo model/playset that he and his daughter set up in his basement.
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Post by glforeman on Mar 24, 2008 16:25:44 GMT -5
We are also enjoying John Adams. As reenactors who got started with the 18th century periods, we were excited to see a major production get it right. The details, characters, etc, look first rate. And like Bob, we think the flags are impressive! GLF
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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 24, 2008 19:39:09 GMT -5
Allen Barra is one of the good guys -- really. He has a genuine interest in the old west, including the Alamo. I had the pleasure of meeting him and his daughter in New York a few years ago when I attended my first Alamo Society Symposium at the historic Fraunces Tavern, where Washington delivered his farewell to his officers. I'm very happy to hear that he has taken an interest in Mark's book and plans to publish an interview with Mark.
If you have any interest in the Tombstone period and Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, et al, be sure to read Allen's book "Inventing Wyatt Earp"; a great read. But Allen is very much a Renaissance man. His interest in sports is as passionate as his devotion to old west history. And if you ever want to discuss music -- well, he'll keep you going on that topic as well.
AW
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Post by sloanrodgers on May 11, 2012 18:52:10 GMT -5
I sadly missed the documentary on Adams. I also have not read any books on him, but wonder, what was his problem with George Washington. I've read a few quotes where he's very critical of the rebel general and first president. I know there's a big myth that Washington was universally loved and admired, but Adams seems to have had a personal dislike for him. He even believed that Old George was too stupid to be president.
"That Washington was not a scholar is certain. That he is too illiterate, unlearned, unread for his station is equally beyond dispute." ~ John Adams
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Post by Jim Boylston on May 11, 2012 20:34:01 GMT -5
Ya' gotta love John Adams. An irascible curmudgeon if ever there was one. I think JA was a little annoyed by Washington's aristocratic bearing. After reading Joseph J. Ellis' Washington bio, "His Excellency," I didn't find Washington to be particularly likable. Of course, likability wasn't big on his agenda.
Jim
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Post by loucapitano on May 13, 2012 13:22:21 GMT -5
I just finished the McCullough "John Adams" and I'm 100 pages into 1776. I don't think McCullough disliked either patriot, although they were quite different. Theri backgrounds were so different, it's amazing they could ever get together. But their history together covered decades and I believe their mutual love of America kept them together. And, when war with England threatened during Adam's presidency, he nominated Washington to lead the American army, should war again come to the continent. I next have to tackle Jefferson, but I might take a Korean War break in between. Then it's Truman, Eisenhower and George Marshall. That leaves room for one new Alamo book. Which of the new ones do you recommend?
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