Reply #1: Adams was a no nonsense New Englander

[Warpy]

with a Puritanical heritage. Franklin was a bon vivant who knew the value of schmoozing in a foreign country. That they would clash is inevitable given the chasm between the character of each man.

Even as a former New Englander who lived within ten minutes of Adams's farm, I have to say that of the two men, I know Franklin was the more effective.

Plus, every time I use my woodstove in the winter to help defray the cost of heating this dump, I am grateful to his open and generous nature. For those who haven't studied the man, one of the things he did throughout his life was give his many inventions to the American people without patent or other restriction. We all owe a great deal of gratitude to him.

When I can see well enough to read, I'll check this one out.