A number of years ago I read David McCullough’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, John Adams.  It was a marvelous read and one that when finished, stayed with me for weeks, months, and whose characters, story and historical time left a deep impression on my soul.  I’m not much of a fan of television, so when I saw that it was being done as an HBO Special, I pretty much passed it off as another ho hum TV event that was easy to miss.

However, people kept saying things about it that indicated that I might be a bit too hasty in my decision.  So I took a chance and rented it through Netflix.  Then I couldn’t get to it.  It sat here on my desk – all 7 parts – for about a month while I worked and avoided the experience.

Last night we finally decided to give it a try.  What a grand surprise!  I know that probably many of you who are a lot more trusting of HBO than me have probably already seen it, but if you haven’t, rush right out and rent it, buy it, steal it if you must – but see it.  It’s terrific.

I can’t remember when I’ve sat for so long a stretch watching anything that gave me such a constant lump in my throat, thrill in my heart and simply great feeling to be a part of the American experience.  Yes, this is a rave review.

Years ago I was swept away by both the stage musical of 1776 and the follow-up movie.  The score with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone is one of the best examples of great musical theater that I can think of and the performance of John Adams in the movie by William Daniels a tour de force performance.  Paul Giamatti, as John Adams in the HBO Special carries on the tradition.

For me, it opens a bit slowly, but once you hit Part 2 and get into the Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence it really takes off and soars.

If you’re looking to revitalize your hope and faith in America, start at the beginning, investigate the exemplary lives of these great men, go back to the roots of these historic times and re-live the founding of America and its ideals.  Re-discover your patriotic sensitivities on the right level and live, once more, the American Dream.

John Adams will take you there.