John Adams Book Summary

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The John Adams miniseries from HBO studios is directed by Tom Hooper, produced by Tom Hanks, and based off the novel of the same name by David McCullough. Focusing on the years between 1700 and 1826, the miniseries depicts the life and impact of John Adams before and after the American Revolution. The miniseries is chronologically divided into seven parts, starting with the Boston Massacre and the Declaration of Independence, followed by treaty negotiations during and after the American Revolution, and ending with Adams’ vice presidency, presidency, and eventual retirement.

Part I begins with the aftermath of the Boston Massacre. The soldiers involved in the ordeal are put on trial. Despite the fact that the soldiers are automatically …show more content…

First, his daughter is diagnosed with a form of breast cancer and undergoes primitive surgery. The surgery doesn’t manage to cure her ailment, so she dies several months later, leaving her children motherless. Then, Abigail falls dreadfully ill. At this point Adams pleads with her to stay because she is his closest confidant and friend, but she succumbs to her illness. Disheartened and too old for past grievances, he begins a correspondence with his former friend and rival Jefferson. Throughout the course of their letters, the two manage to come to amends for their previous transgressions against one another. They become old friends once more and discuss the future of the nation they once helped shape. Then on July 4th, 1826, fifty years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson and Adams die in their respective homes, with Adams uttering, “Thomas Jefferson still survives,” before he too succumbs to death. The deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams mark the end of the Founding Father generation from which a new nation was created and declared …show more content…

The tragedies of his daughter and wife’s deaths deeply impact Adams, making him realize the brevity of life’s passions. Furthermore, Adams is shown as a feeble old man, contrasting the active lawyer he was portrayed as earlier on in the series. Too old to hate Jefferson as he once did, he begins a correspondence with him that reflects on old controversies and regrets. At this point in his life, Adams realizes that he is part of a dying generation. This is further emphasized by John Quincy Adams becoming president, alluding to the beginnings of a new