We don’t have cable but now I’m glad my mom has it--as well as TIVO! I’ll have her save this HBO miniseries based on David McCullough’s biography of Adams for me so I can watch it on my upcoming visit this summer. I just finished listening to the McCullough biography last night and it was tremendous. I especially loved the quote with which McCullough chose to end the book--(and the disadvantage of listening as opposed to reading books is that I have to rely on memory here). But it had to do with Adams’ love of life--even with all the tragedy and the infirmities that old age had brought him. In all of that, he still thought it his greatest treasure that he could laugh--and at himself above all.
My wife and kids were inconvenienced by the film crew when we were in Williamsburg a few weeks ago. That doesn't mean we won't watch it when it becomes available on DVD (no HBO in our house).
Looks like you won't be able to enjoy the film until next summer, Julie. Here are the relevant details.
Balance McCullough's love song to John and Abigail with Chernow's Hamilton. Both are excellent books, but Chernow's will surprise you and enlighten you to no end.
Thanks for both of the tips--Ben and Robert. Darn it though! I was really looking forward to seeing that this summer. But this does explain my mother's mystified response to my directions to tape it.
Hamilton did come off as rather an *ss in McCullough's treatment so I was curious about finding another side to that story. Checked out A.J. Langguth's Patriots and Ferling's Adams vs. Jefferson today. But I will look for the Hamilton book next.