Our Ancestors Heard the Fife and Drum

Discovering that at least one of my direct ancestors served rather extensively in the Revolutionary War has, of course, made me more interested in that amazing start to our country. First, there's the continual astonishment at the brilliant individuals who created the basic framework that we take so much for granted -- John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and the gift that was George Washington. Each one was a leader to be proud of; together they were world-shatterers. 

For some reason, the Revolution has been the subject of far fewer films and TV programs; perhaps it's just too complex. But a  few recent works are freely available and very informative: first, John Adams, starring Paul Giamatti as Adams and Laura Linney as the remarkable Abigail Adams. with other terrific performances by Tom Wilkinson as Franklin and Stephen Dillane as Jefferson. My favorite scene in this occurs when Jefferson is in the process of writing the Declaration of Independence,  and Adams and Franklin go to see him to see how it's going. But Jefferson, the inventor, has also just created the swivel chair, and he and Franklin start getting into practical mechanics, much to Adams' annoyance!

I have also been reading a fascinating book about the military history of the war, which I know nothing about. This novelization of the story, by Jeff Shaara, which is in two parts -- Rise to Rebellion and The Glorious Cause -- tell you all about the people involved, from General Washington to General Cornwallis, the tactics, the weapon, the blunders, the successes. It's hugely informative. And pretty darn long. I just had to force myself to put it down long enough to write this!