Don't Know Much

Who Said It? “I must study politiciks and war…”

I must study Politicks and War...

John Adams portrait by Gilbert Stuart

John Adams, writing to his wife Abigail from Paris (May 12, 1780)

I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine.

Source: New England Historical Society

Posted on March 2, 2023

The Latest From My Blog

GREAT SHORT BOOKS: A Year of Reading–Briefly

“An exciting guide to all that the world of fiction has to offer in 58 short novels…that, ‘like a first date,’ offer pleasure and excitement without commitment.” –The New York Times Book Review

Read More

“Why Books Matter: ‘Books Are Weapons in the War of Ideas'”

Book banning and burning have been around a long time. But we are at a significant moment when the stakes have rarely been higher.

Read More