The Library of John Adams

This is not Adams' library. These are from my own.

I believe it was in fourth grade that I first got hooked on biographies. Reading the stories of significant people was both educational and entertaining. Those early bios may not have had the depth that one discovers as the mature, but they were using for forming ideas about our history and human history.  

When I read David McCullough's biography of John Adams (2002) it not only displayed the man himself, but introduced readers to a whole cast of Adams' contemporaries and the major event that threw them together, our American Revolution--the subject of Ken Burns' latest documentary series, currently airing on PBS.

Something that really stood out in that Adams biography was how devoted to writing Adams was. In addition to all his correspondence--he wrote volumes to his wife Abigail when away from her--he wrote legal briefs as a lawyer and legislation as a leader. He also wrote ideas and comments in the margins of his books. One story I recall is that he wrote as many as 5,000 words in the margins of just one of his countless books. 

A voracious reader, he imported hundreds of books from London booksellers like John Stockdale throughout his life. A full collection of his papers, along with his book lists, can be found at the Massachusetts Historical Socety. His personal library (around 3,000 volumes!) is today housed in the Boston Public Library. A review of the titles reveals the scope of his interests: law, history, politics, theology, science, classical literature and poetry. Isaac Newton, David Hume, Adam Smith, Plutarch, Homer, Milton (Paradise Lost) and Edward Gibbon (Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire) reveal the breadth of his interests and thought.

One observation that stands out when I look at his library and copious notes: Leaders are Readers. 

It's been said that Adams’ London imports formed the intellectual backbone of his defense of liberty, law, and balanced government. His library wasn’t just a collection—it was a working arsenal for revolution and nation-building.

As the United States enters its 250th year, there will be much wrangling about whether the Constitution is still valid in the 21st century and whether it's time for an overhaul. We're already hearing the rumblings as some point out its weaknesses and shortcomings. On the other hand, let's be careful here. Though there may be things the founders got wrong, it's still remarkable how much they got right.

Flashback Friday: Seeing the Unseen (Contemporary Chinese Artists at the Ringling)

Li Wei

As Hurricane Milton was approaching Florida's west coast earlier this month, my thoughts and prayers circled around several of the places I visited from Sarasota to Tampa. Chief among these were the Ringling Museum and the Dali Museum, each of them housing spectacular treasures. There were some early Duchamp paintngs and other surprises. The Circus Museum and Ca' d'Zan, the winter home of John and Mable Ringling are also there. With 56 rooms spread over 36,000 square feet, their home was clearly meant to impress its guests. 

Here is a review I wrote in 2014 after visiting.

I like surprises. Especially nice ones. One of the more exciting unexpected finds for me took place while traveling in Florida a couple years back: the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. I'd already known about Ringling Brothers Circus Museum being in Sarasota where the circus wintered like snow birds. I did not, however, know that John and Mable were art collectors.

Like many from America's privileged classes, they took up an interest in art collecting. During the Roaring 20's post-WWI European art could be snapped up on pennies for the dollar. The Ringlings even purchased a 16th century theater they found on the outskirts of Venice, disassembled and re-assembled the whole of it in Sarasota.

Unfortunately, the Thirties hit and many -- like the Ringlings -- got stung and lost all. Fortunately, a few years before, they donated their art collection to the University. And what a collection. One highlight is an enormous painting Peter Paul Rubens, but there are many other famous artists represented include Benjamin West, Diego Velázquez, Paolo Veronese, Rosa Bonheur, Gianlorenzo Bernini, Giuliano Finelli, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Frans Hals, Nicolas Poussin, Joseph Wright of Derby, and Thomas Gainsborough among others. But the highlight for me was running into two paintings by Marcel Duchamp. Very special.

The museum is host to other exhibitions and through the end of February 2015 The Ringling is featuring eight contemporary Chinese artists in an exhibition titled “Seeing the Unseen.” Artists in this show include Cao Fei, Li Wei, Wang Qingsong, and Miao Xiaochun. A promotional blurb on the show states, "Reflecting the artistic innovations of our media age, their works provide a fresh view of China’s rapidly changing socio-cultural landscape. These Chinese artists apply new concepts and technology to record and present inspiring moments veiled in daily life."

One of the featured artists in this exhibit is Liu Bolin, whose invisible man pictures went viral a couple years back. I remember seeing links being shared extensively, not knowing who he was at that time. Here is a promotional image from the show that may jog your memory on this artist. Yes, there is a man standing in the photo.

Liu Bolin. (Click to enlagre) 

If you're a Sun City resident or a someone who likes to escape South for the winter, the Ringling Museum is worth going out of your way to see. And this winter at least you'll have this treat to look forward to.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Dig it.