john dickinson called him that -- little genius. he was john adams chief adversary during the 22 months between september of 74 and july july 41776. dickinson was when this book begins and the book essentially, it initially begins with the boston tea party because that really was the kind of event that really ticked the british off and convince them that they had to do something to put these americans down. but the main focus of the book really is the 22 months in which the continental congress met. at the time the continental congress met, john dickinson was probably the most respected political writer and thinker in america. his letters from a farmer in pennsylvania really spelled out the american constitutional position and the denial of the right of the vision parliament tic tacs him. he was in every respect john adams polar opposite. he was thin, rather reserved in manner. and a man of great caution both in his thought and his speech. and the really important and decisive in difficult moments in john dickinson's life did, on jul