John Adams (HBO Miniseries)

September 17, 2008 | By Doug In Bakers Racks |

John Adams (HBO Miniseries)
Based on David McCullough’s bestselling biography, the HBO miniseries John Adams is the furthest thing from a starry-eyed look at America’s founding fathers and the brutal path to independence. Adams (Paul Giamatti), second president of the United States, is portrayed as a skilled orator and principled attorney whose preference for justice over anti-English passions earns enemies. But he also gains the esteem of the first national government of the United States, i.e., the Continental Congress, which seeks non-firebrands capable of making a reasoned if powerful case for America’s break from England’s monarchy. The first thing one notices about John Adams‘ dramatizations of congress’ proceedings, and the fervent pro-independence violence in the streets of Boston and elsewhere, is that America’s roots don’t look pretty or idealized here. Some horrendous things happen in the name of protest, driving Adams to push the cause of independence in a legitimate effort to get on with a revolutionary war under the command of George Washington. But the process isn’t easy: not every one of the 13 colonies-turned-states is ready to incur the wrath of England, and behind-the-scenes negotiations prove as much a part of 18th century congressional sessions as they do today.

Besides this peek into a less-romanticized version of the past, John Adams is also a story of the man himself. Adams’ frustration at being forgotten or overlooked at critical junctures of America’s early development–sent abroad for years instead of helping to draft the U.S. constitution–is detailed. So is his dismay that the truth of what actually transpired leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence has been slowly forgotten and replaced by a rosier myth. But above all, John Adams is the story of two key ties: Adams’ 54-year marriage to Abigail Adams (Laura Linney), every bit her husband’s intellectual equal and anchor, and his difficult, almost symbiotic relationship with Thomas Jefferson (Stephen Dillane) over decades. Giamatti, of course, has to carry much of the drama, and if he doesn’t always seem quite believable in the series’ first half, he becomes increasingly excellent at the point where an aging Adams becomes bitter over his place in history. Linney is marvelous, as is Dillane, Sarah Polley as daughter Nabby, Danny Huston as cousin Samuel Adams, and above all Tom Wilkinson as a complex but indispensable Ben Franklin. –Tom Keogh

Customer Review: John Adams(HBO Miniseries)
A great miniseries, you need to have plenty of time to watch as it is very long. Great acting and fairly accurate. Recommend to all those who would like to know more about the founding of America. History buffs would enjoy.

Customer Review: Not a history lesson.
The story of John Adams is a very important part of our heritage as a nation. If you really want to understand this man and this period in our American history you have to read the biography by David McCullough. The HBO series is entertaining but does not capture the essence of 1776 America or the details which John Adams captured in his writings which are featured in the book. I am amazed at the number of people who falsely believe this miniseries serves as a lesson in history. Don’t allow your intelligence to be dulled by the director of this film.

Winsome 82969 Beech Beechwood BAKER’S RACK CORNER KD
WxDxH: 26″W x 18″D x 68.80″ W Conveniently fits into corner of room Four shelves Beechwood
Price: $272.99

Chrome Baker’s Rack
Price: $99.99
Customer Review: Short on Kitchen Storage? Get This Baker’s Rack
I have been looking at this Baker’s Rack for at least a year and finally took the plunge. After reading some reviewers say that their Baker’s Rack was damaged in transit, I decided to pick mine up at Target. The box is very heavy and says right on the carton that it is a team lift. Fortunately Target was very helpful and had a couple of young men put it in the back seat of my small car. Upon arriving home, I opened the box in my car and carried each piece up the stairs to the kitchen. Putting the chrome Baker’s Rack together is not hard. Just decide how high you want each shelf before you start putting it together. By looking at the picture on the box and remembering that each section on the legs is one inch you should easily be able to get your shelves at the right hight for your needs the first time around. It’s amazing how much you can put on the the shelves. I’m really happy with this purchase!
Customer Review: Got it at Target last week
This was very easy to assemble and has been quite useful for making more storage space in my kitchen.