Revolutions are messy

I've just come off of watching HBO's very insightful, very watch-worthy miniseries' John Adams. According to HBO, "John Adams chronicles the extraordinary life journey of one of the primary shapers of our independence and government, whose legacy has often been eclipsed by more flamboyant contemporaries like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin.

Set against the backdrop of a nation's stormy birth, this sweeping miniseries is a moving love story, a gripping narrative, and a fascinating study of human nature. Above all, at a time when the nation is increasingly polarized politically, this story celebrates the shared values of liberty and freedom upon which this country was built."

That description is on the money. It's an epic that delivers on many fronts, and through many layers.

But the reason that this viewer most enjoyed it was that--while the outcomes of a nation being founded were glorious--it didn't glorify the deep struggles of a nation finding its way.

Sure, it showed the vision and the tenacity of our forefathers. But it also showed their faults. (And their egos.)

Back in the day--I'm talking the days when I was a kid in history class--The American Revolution was so magnificent. It was the birth of a nation, after all. And we were focused on celebrating the baby.

But this miniseries honored the hard birthing process.

As they rightly deserve, I place our forefathers on a pedestal. But what John Adams did for me was to make them human. Humans who did extraordinary things in very hard times.

And for that my respect for them grows greater, and far deeper.

I often debate whether it's the achievements or the struggles that really makes the man (or woman). Even looking back at the life of my own mother--while I'm impressed with her hard-won successes...one even landing her a much-coveted invitation to the 1980 Presidential Inauguration...I'm far, far more awed by how she handled strife.

In any case, while the outcomes are grand, revolutions are messy. It's an important lesson to learn, and remember. They require relentless dedication and unwavering passion from those who commit to making their visions a reality.

And at mighty great costs.

For those that don't have HBO, they've made a smart move and are already selling the series--and the magnificent score--right here.

PS: Oh, here's a post that was inspired by a movie about Queen Elizabeth. It wasn't a revolution per se, but a sea change in leadership style that was thrust upon Britain's monarchy. It, too, was a great "human" account of a change in climate--and in showing the otherwise stoic Queen's struggles in modernizing. It gave me more respect for her and the messy times she endured.

Comments

[Ike]

History is messy, and memory is tidy.

Unless you want to expend the passion and energy to drill down into the details (where the Devil always is,) the final score is all we have time to internalize.

USA - 1
Britain - 0

(...even though they would come back 25 years later and show us that homefield advantage isn't absolute.)

It's important to know the final score, but often the key moments that lead to the final outcome aren't always the most exciting. Nor are they intentional.

Thanks for the reminder, CK -- that our messy little existence may yet bear some great weight, even if we aren't around to see it.

[Cam Beck]

Having read McCollough's book, I've really been looking forward to watching this miniseries. In my studies, I've found Adams to be a very underappreciated hero of our country's founding.

Though he was often ridiculed for his vanity, I think what sets him apart from others is that he recognized it in his letters and struggled against it mightily for the good of the country.

Truly... Was Hamilton less vain? Was Jefferson?

It's an awesome story of a very deep and personal struggle of a vibrant mind amidst the public, tumultuous (and messy!) period that gave rise to what would become a great republic - (as Franklin would say) for as long as we can keep it.

[CK]

@Ike: I love your line of: "History is messy, and memory is tidy." It's actually funny how much I'm reminding clients and colleagues how messy just a mere 10 years ago was with Web 1.0 (I'm like, dude it was only 10 years ago, dontcha remember?) and how 2.0 disruptions are about to get a whole lot more messy. It's truly part of any change in era.

@Cam: I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on this show. I've already decided there are many people I want to purchase the show AND soundtrack (it's beautiful!) for as it's so worthwhile (I know I might sound like a sales agent for HBO but I am not affiliated with them whatsoever, ha!)

And this show does not make Adams more vain than any of the others. They all had strong opinions...even strong egos (save Washington who was far more focused on "duty" and one of my faves in this show, actually). But strength was needed. And, like the rest of us, they were flawed. But that was part of the beauty of the series, IMO.

[Mario Vellandi]

I'm 1/3 through McCollough's audiobook, and it's great. Have downloaded all the HBO episodes and can't wait to watch.

The great part for me so far is in learning about the various historical personalities behind the scenes, the humbling but profoundly objective (ethics & law) character of John, and the love story between him and his wife - often through letters.

[Mike Wagner]

There was always a kind of inevitability in the way I was taught our nation's origins.

For the founders there was no sense of inevitability.

The uncertainty of the American experiment combined with the messy reality of Adams and his colleagues made the HBD series one of my favorites.

For those who would like "more" I'd recommend Joseph Ellis' "Founding Brothers." The introduction alone is worth the price of the book.

The American experiment isn't over...keep creating,
Mike

[gl hoffman]

Thank goodness for TIVO...I loved this series, too. What a time they lived in, it is truly awe inspiring to think about what they did.
best, GL HOFFMAN, Minneapolis.