Anyone enjoying this?
Part 3 is tonight.

We debate politics nonstop.
It might be a good idea to go back to the origins as a backdrop or basis to our discussions.

I've got it recorded.
You can watch online, too, get caught up.

https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-revolution

6-parts, nightly, 2 hours each (12 total).

concordtom said:

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We debate politics nonstop.
It might be a good idea to go back to the origins as a backdrop or basis to our discussions.

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We aren't debating politics here.

We are trying to figure out truth from fiction.

PAC-10-BEAR said:

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concordtom said:

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We debate politics nonstop.
It might be a good idea to go back to the origins as a backdrop or basis to our discussions.

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We aren't debating politics here.

We are trying to figure out truth from fiction.

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I have ancestors who fought (and died) for the new country. I have ancestors who fled CT for Canada due north after the war. Loyalists.
My step father had a quote passed down since then. One spouse griped to another "thou art a Tory like thy father before thee!"

The country was quite split at the time of fighting. All colonists identified as English, subjects of the crown prior to 1750. But events and writings swayed many to see themselves as citizens of some place different from the crown.

I think it's interesting to study how these things have come to pass in other time and place so that we may recognize the time and place that we are in presently.

So, I would just ask that while you argue passionately for your truth and others' fiction, keep in mind that all of it is subject to impressions and interpretations.

The study of history often attempts to view both sides and decide upon the actual truth.

The wise man is able to remove himself from the passions of the present situation, transport himself into the future, and see clearly what is actually happening.

Watch the show.
We might just acquire a measure of perspective.

My preference is to digest it in one hour increments. I have always thought the formula and cadence of a historical documentary taxes your concentration if taken in two hour bites.

I have seen the first hour of Episode 1. It is great.

bearister said:

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My preference is to digest it in one hour increments. I have always thought the formula and cadence of a historical documentary taxes your concentration if taken in two hour bites.

I have seen the first hour of Episode 1. It is great.

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Agree. The two-hour segments seem a bit long. My kids are in 8th and 11th grades and are therefore both studying American History, so I have been wondering if I should have them watch it on their break next week. I'm pretty sure it would be too "adult" ("boring") for my 8th grader.

As for me, it is a good review of the period of US History that I am probably the least strong in. I am enjoying making parallels to our situation here in the 21st century.

I appreciate the way Ken Burns handles history. He doesn't gloss over the injustices, but at the same time, it is still possible to feel a national pride. This is a great country and that should be acknowledged (unless you're some kind of Commie), yet, like any country, I'm sure, there are some major embarrassments. To me, it's fine to recognize both sides. That's what history is all about.

As for pure viewing pleasure, IMO, this one is not up there with Burn's "Civil War", which was an absolute masterpiece.

"As for me, it is a good review of the period of US History that I am probably the least strong in."

You are not the only one. My son and I were both history majors and we both agree that it is not our favorite period. Civil War is where it's at. I am also fascinated by the sad Indian Wars for the American West period.

Rick Atkinson is the "It Boy" these days for the American Revolution and he is in Burns' documentary. I read this:



I found it painful after a while but finished it anyway.

It is fascinating to see how the seeds that were sown in the period 1750-1800 have sprouted into the country we have in the 21st century.

I also love questions posed by facts such as Washington and Jefferson owned slaves. Did this make them bad people? Well, this deserves a nuanced answer, IMO. For example, most of us now are doing things that will generally be looked down upon in 200 years. Are we bad people for this? Maybe, maybe not. Mostly, we do what we do out of ignorance.

Big C said:

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bearister said:

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My preference is to digest it in one hour increments. I have always thought the formula and cadence of a historical documentary taxes your concentration if taken in two hour bites.

I have seen the first hour of Episode 1. It is great.

---

Agree. The two-hour segments seem a bit long. My kids are in 8th and 11th grades and are therefore both studying American History, so I have been wondering if I should have them watch it on their break next week. I'm pretty sure it would be too "adult" ("boring") for my 8th grader.

As for me, it is a good review of the period of US History that I am probably the least strong in. I am enjoying making parallels to our situation here in the 21st century.

I appreciate the way Ken Burns handles history. He doesn't gloss over the injustices, but at the same time, it is still possible to feel a national pride. This is a great country and that should be acknowledged (unless you're some kind of Commie), yet, like any country, I'm sure, there are some major embarrassments. To me, it's fine to recognize both sides. That's what history is all about.

As for pure viewing pleasure, IMO, this one is not up there with Burn's "Civil War", which was an absolute masterpiece.

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This review by Indiewire gave it a grade of B.

But criticized Ken Burns for not appealing to people who would not ordinarily watch his documentaries. People who should be watching this.

https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/the-american-revolution-review-ken-burns-documentary-no-kings-1235160481/

Best Jazz Album All Time?

bearister said:

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Best Jazz Album All Time?

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Ill Communication by the Beastie Boys

Big C said:

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bearister said:

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My preference is to digest it in one hour increments. I have always thought the formula and cadence of a historical documentary taxes your concentration if taken in two hour bites.

I have seen the first hour of Episode 1. It is great.

---

Agree. The two-hour segments seem a bit long. My kids are in 8th and 11th grades and are therefore both studying American History, so I have been wondering if I should have them watch it on their break next week. I'm pretty sure it would be too "adult" ("boring") for my 8th grader.

As for me, it is a good review of the period of US History that I am probably the least strong in. I am enjoying making parallels to our situation here in the 21st century.

I appreciate the way Ken Burns handles history. He doesn't gloss over the injustices, but at the same time, it is still possible to feel a national pride. This is a great country and that should be acknowledged (unless you're some kind of Commie), yet, like any country, I'm sure, there are some major embarrassments. To me, it's fine to recognize both sides. That's what history is all about.

As for pure viewing pleasure, IMO, this one is not up there with Burn's "Civil War", which was an absolute masterpiece.

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You wanna know what has made American history come alive for me, and fit into compartments that I can totally digest in both their pieces and as an entire story or journey?

Genealogy!

About 20 years ago I discovered a report on my in-laws shelf that had a whole bunch of information dating my wife to rev war vets. I was blown away.

I didn't know much about my ancestry. But then I starting looking g and found a ton. Ultimately I have ties to civil war, rev war, mayflower, many presidents and famous people as distant cousins.

We are all so tied together.

Furthermore
Being able to place my gg grandfather on a prisoners ship from England to Australia in 1843 helps me understand things about the world, too.

And I have a 5G grandfather who was a captain from Nantucket. He spent 2 years around South America, both oceans, hunting elephant seals. 13k hides to NYC 1790's.

When one is able to name an ancestor who lives through one of the chapters in Burns story, it's real and close.

I found a distant cousin who had a tin type photo of our common gggg grandfather. Dude was born in 1790 in Scotland. A. Suddenly, 1790 doesn't seem far back at all! I see the family features passed down. My great grandfather wrote about him. He's real.

American history isn't names dates and places. It's personal!

One grandfather of mine died in British prison in Manhattan during the rev war. When British occupation of NY is discussed and the people revolt, I'm feeling my grandfathers pain.

People should look and see what their own ancestors are telling them. History need not be lost or forgotten.

Vince Guaraldi - Linus and Lucy, or Charlie Brown Christmas



Sven Libaek - Inner Space Original Television Score (1973)
[url=https://www.youtube.com/@MusicaMacaco][/url]


Bobby Hutcherson - Happenings



Georges Delerue - King of Hearts OST



Lesiman - The Future Sounds of Lesiman



Anita O'Day - Anita Sings the Most or Anita Sings for Oscar



Frank Sinatra - Songs for Swinging Lovers

Anarchistbear said:

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Kind of Blue
Mingus a Um
Getz - Gilberto
Ella and Louis

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When Sinatra died, Entertainment Weekly anointed Songs for Swingin' Lovers as Sinatra's best album. I can't think of a solid counter argument to that.

8 hours in, 4 to go…
It's good, not great.

They use the same exact style as all his other films. So much detail and stories in this manner makes it all blend together. I'm finding myself wanting to organize it, look up facts.

If you wanted to teach someone about the rev war, and you had 12 hours, you could probably do better.

How about putting dates and places in text on screen on the vignette stories so we keep track better.

How about inter-splicing political events with military movements , as I've seen others do.

I expect tonight they may mention the Wyoming Valley PA massacre, where a 5G grandfather of my mother-in-law was killed. His name is on the monument there today, from CT.

Anyways, I feel like Ken Burns has jumped the shark.

concordtom said:

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8 hours in, 4 to go…
It's good, not great.

They use the same exact style as all his other films. So much detail and stories in this manner makes it all blend together. I'm finding myself wanting to organize it, look up facts.

If you wanted to teach someone about the rev war, and you had 12 hours, you could probably do better.

How about putting dates and places in text on screen on the vignette stories so we keep track better.

How about inter-splicing political events with military movements , as I've seen others do.

I expect tonight they may mention the Wyoming Valley PA massacre, where a 5G grandfather of my mother-in-law was killed. His name is on the monument there today, from CT.

Anyways, I feel like Ken Burns has jumped the shark.

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Agree. To me, the reason why "The Civil War" was better was that it was tighter and more focused. Everything: the music, the historians, the weaving together of plot lines. For this, after the first hour I start looking at the clock.

I feel like, if I try and get my kids to watch it, it's going to turn them off, or just seem too much like a chore.

For sure though, lots of good moments and I'm reviewing my existing knowledge really well and also picking up some new things.

I dug this series as a young boy;

The Swamp Fox (TV series) - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Swamp_Fox_(TV_series)



Starring Leslie Nielsen when he was a serious actor.

Okay,
Here's some new information near the end of episode 5.

G Washington in 1779 could've see that US was going to win eventually. France and Spain had joined the conflict against Great Britain and after the war USA would be left in contest for Indian lands westward.

Washington sent instructions to Sullivan to seek and destroy Indian villages.

This is the most horrifying evidence I've ever heard of how it was policy to wipe out the native population.

Yes, I knew that there were many conflicts, broken treaties and such. But this is coming from Washington at our birth.

So much for disease being the majority cause of death. Sullivan wiped out 140 villages in upstate NY, burning houses and crops, cutting down orchards. All upon GW's order.

Here's the letter, order.

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-20-02-0661#:~:text=On%20May%2031%2C%201779%2C%20George%20Washington%20wrote,of%20the%20Indian%20Country%20*%20Preserve%20Niagara

" The immediate objects are the total destruction and devastation of their settlements and the capture of as many prisoners of every age and sex as possible. It will be essential to ruin their crops now in the ground and prevent their planting more."

That was in May 1779.
In September, Sullivan responds with his horrible progress.

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-22-02-0450

> Washington sent instructions to Sullivan to seek and destroy Indian villages.
> This is the most horrifying evidence I've ever heard of how it was policy to wipe out the native population.

daamn, tnx coco-tom. signed, 1/8th amurican-indian dna [via texas]

It got worse…