there is no body of correspondence, no collection of family pabs papers of a major protagonist in american history to compare to it. nothing even close. out of all that, particularly from the period of john adams life, comes one of the great stories in our history. john adams was also, i have to stress, the principal figure of the revolution, to travel farther in the service of his country and at enormous risk and difficulty than any other single person. he left his wife, his children, his farm, his profession. he had very little income, he was not a wealthy man, and abigail had to take care of the children, run the farm, do the washinging -- do the washing, the cooking, with the help of a hired girl, educate the children, because schools were closed, make ends meet, and keep up his spirits. "we live my dear soul in an age of trial, he wrote, what will be the consequence, i know not." and she answers "you cannot i know nor do. i wish to see you an inactive spectator. we have too many high-sounding words and too few actions to constitutional amendment with them." this exchange often reads l