As the months passed, even the strident voices from the newspapers had begun to moderate, and the passion to put Preston’s neck in a noose had become subdued. It was a relief to Adams that with the trial now scheduled for October, he had time to work with Josiah Quincy to prepare a case based on law and reason. And it meant he could spend time with his family and enjoy the wonderful peace of the farm.

No one knew how to end it. The war had settled into unbearable, unwinnable battles. It had reached a point where there were no more victories, only death.

The world around him grew silent; there was something in the air. The odor of dead meat came down on the wind, drifting through the trees. Soft and sour, the smell of distant death.

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was not in favor of war and was under no illusion that Japan had the ability and the resources to outlast the US or Britain.

My God, John. The king has begun to shoot his subjects.

I always had the faith that this country would elect those who knew best, who could follow the best course through any situation.

Men with power either trumpet to everyone just how powerful they are, or they use that power effectively by keeping quiet about it, and going about their duties.

As long as there are armies, there will be a war. I don’t care about symbols.

Sorry, ma’am, but we need a big damn army right now, and there’s no better way to make one than to gather up a bunch of boys and tell them how much fun they’re going to have killing their enemy.

As has happened in the American Civil War and World War I, the technology for mass destruction has far outpaced man’s ability to maintain the peace.