The show is based off of David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize winning book, John Adams. Alex explores the background of this type of historical storytelling, the events of HBO's part 1 episode, and the accuracy versus inaccuracies of the show. Part 1 traces John Adams' involvement in the Boston Massacre, his struggles between the Sons of Liberty and British government, his relationship with Abigail Adams (wife), and his later journey towards being a member at the First Continental Congress.