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I heard an interview with someone on the Bob Edwards show who worked on the John Adams series…I think it was the screen writer. He said they only filmed scenes that were actually experienced by John or Abigail…in other words, they don't show scenes that these figures do not actually experience themselves (i.e. no cutaways to battle shots in other towns, etc.). They also did not film according to television time requirements, meaning they didn't need to shorten segments to fit inside pre-defined time slots. The effect of this is that the story is told in a better, freer way. Overall it sounds like it should be a good series. It comes out on HBO very soon (this week or next, I think). I may have to watch it when it comes out on rental.
The central theme (John & Abigail) is based from what I heard from preliminary documetation. I'll need to get the book, but it seems John and Abigail Adams were extremely articulate in their correspondense. Their letters are preseserved, and much of the film is derived from them. Other historical figures from that time destroyed their personal correspondence before there deaths, which raises an entire alternate line of inquirey. Why?
I agree, there are not many that can spell and pronounce, much less use “vise versa” correctly. Follow your educational dreams. It's a shame many are unable to do so in this country; we lag far behind most of the world when it comes to educating our young ones. I would suggest that you apply your talents in that direction, but what ever path you choose to follow, good luck, my best wishes follow you.post scriptum: I have lived in California off and on since the late seventies, and I have read recently that California leads the nation in education failure, health care, and more. I would encourage none to move here; I would move so far away … if I were able. But if you can afford to be underpaid, overtaxed, et cetera, well, by all means, come to California and help educate the young ones here. They represent a hugh segment of the coming electorate.
In my reasearch and readings I came across this:
It is a delusion to suppose that examiners have no sadistic tendencies, but it would be a remarkably uninhibited sadist who set the question 'What caused the First World War?'1
1 Journal entry found on Questia by Robert Pearce, “The Origins of the First World War”.I'm doing a paper on this, and one of the questions asked by the professor is “What are the major long range causes of the war?”So is the professor a sadist? (he's a tough grader!) Or does he exempt himself when he says “major” causes? 😀
To middle school this takes me back.
Stumpfoot – was not aware of a book from which Hanks apprarently crafted the film – thanks! Guess I watch TV too much! Thank you, sir, and off to Amazon, I be. 🙂
I like it much; HBO films have been rated excellent for a long time. While frustrated by many reruns, my recording thinghy has has caught most, but I think I lost some, if not most of the intial double opening episodes. The acting, attention to detail, and historically accuracy are superb …. but, I am not a competent film critic. I am a big fan of “Friday Night Lights”, an excellent drama ignoroed by most because they felt they would be watching football all the time. John Adams is revealed through brilliant acting and historical accuracy. What more can one ask? Best, it is certain to be available in the future on CD, as will Friday Night Lights.But, what do I know? As an old retired fart, television entertains me for most conscious hour. I don't watch reality, Dance With Your Mother In Law, or any other stupid stuff. I perfer intelligent documentaries, and drama, with a few laughs. Never seen “Dancing with the Stars”, for instance. Never felt a need to it. Is anyone old enough to remember “Crusader Rabbit”, or “Midnight, the Cat”?Does not matter. All I'm trying to say is there is a lot of wonderful TV programming today. Try making you children aware of it, because there is also a lot of crap out there.
What I think is even more amazing, is the volume of information available from a few key strokes. History? At your finger tips.
As we have yet to learn from our past conflicts, I am certain another is coming. Big time. My thinking is against China. Over some Island in the sun. The Chinese are building nuclear submarines at an alarming rate, which threaten any of our aircraft carries in the western Pacific, and all of our cities.So my question is, whom will we engage next with confidence, and/or how can we avoid it?
China would be a large-scale war. Let's hope (pray) it doesn't come to that.Venezuela might be something more likely. It seems that the longer Chavez is in power the more antsy he gets. From what I have read in the news over the past few years it sounds like is “itching” for a fight. Iran, of course, is another one. I don't think it would come to this, however.The unrest in South America worries me, too. It's nuts all over the world, but it seems to be getting closer ….
Italians have yet to perfect a screen door for submarines. So, I think the Decline of the Roman Empire can not be denied. And, it is well documented. Pizza, anyone? One may say the only remnant of the Roman Empire is the Roman Catholic church, but I don't know much about religion, so can't comment. Over extension is one of causes of Roman decline; biting off more than one can chew? And other such bubble gum philosophys, but it stand to be true, in larger historical context. Civilizations do them selves in, internally.This is why I am concerned about western civiliation. While the sky is not falling yet, I see certain similarities to past civilizations, as compared to ours today. The ability to feed the community has failed. If who hit John hit the fan tomorrow, how will we eat after the supermarkets are emptied? That's just one. This country can't grow its own food. Go ahead and identify other problems with western civilization. Or conditions due to the lack of western civilization, or the fall, thereof.So, thoughts on the Roman Empire should be secondary to our existense in this country. But they are illustrative.
An HBO 7 part mini series on John Adams is starting March 16. I watched an hour last night about the filming, and it looks like it should be excellent.
Nobody really talks about John Adams in historical circles these days. It's good to see him get some attention. I'd like to see documentaries on other neglected presidents like Millard Fillmore or John Tyler or Zachary Taylor. Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, Kennedy, and the Roosevelts seem to get all the glory.
This production covers his life. And that is what is fascinating.
I think most of the emigration came well after the American Revolution. If I recall correctly, there were about three major waves of Irish immigrants, starting in the 1840s or 1850s. No, I don't think they went to Great Britain for the most part; part of the problem during the potato famine was that there was a choice to go hungry or convert to Protestantism and get fed by the wealthy Protestants. If they did this, it was known as “taking the soup” and had some negative connotation to it. As Britain would have been still quite Protestant during this time I'm not so sure the Irish would have been going there quite as much.BTW, I think the movie “Gangs of New York” was supposed to have taken place in the 1860s, reflecting the troubles of the Irish in adjusting to their new home.
After seeing film, I was thinking, no wonder New Yorkers are such bad asses. But that view probably applies to every subcultural group anywhere – a lot of fighting here went on – BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY still goes on. So, who's going to win?
I regret my comments; my big mouth has offended many along the road; these views were generated from ignorance. My antagonism was fueled by the fact that I have no idea who Millard Fillmore was, so I admit my ignorance, and welcome any discussion, from which this poor pilgrim may learn. My humblest apologies. Fillmore sounds familiar, but this old fart has been out of school too long.Thank you, GregIf you don't have access to HBO, it will come to you free at some time. What is remarkable is the effort they made to achieve historical accuracy, right down to intricate details. In years to come, it will come in boxed sets ….This is our history, ladies and gentlemen, and this is the best effort to date to illustrate the early formation of our culture.
Is not Millard Fillmore part of that family of crippled duck that try to be funny every Sunday? But what I want to ask is how much you know of Millard Fillmore. Oh, shoot, my bad. How am I supposed to see good ducks?
I updated the links in my first post as some of them had died over the past year. Someone let me know if you have made any colonial recipes in the past, for Thanksgiving or some other occasion.
Have one simmering right now. A variation on chilli, it features pork butt, and a lot of different kinds peppers. Pork butt must be seared, then cooked (braised) slowly. . . It's all good. Mixed with onions, garlic, and quality spices, you've got some good eats going on.
