Ken Burns - The American Revolution

[ll74]

Started watching this one tonight. I can already see certain types here throwing a hissy fit over multiple parts of it.

I find it incredibly well done, very similar to his Civil War documentary, which is the best doc I've ever watched to this day.

Anyone else watching and enjoying?

 

[ll74]

Sorry - I should've provided a source

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

 

[ll74]

Interesting parallels with Ukraine.

Who would've thought the colonies had a chance?

 

[eric_erosfan]

This documentary is fantastic. I already know much of the history but the contemporary diary entries and inclusion of smaller details previously untold really make this story telling exceptional.

I know MAGAs are perplexed at what we are talking about because they refuse to watch public television.

I am very glad I support two public television stations and two NPR stations every month.

 

[eric_erosfan]

Man, Ken Burns enlightened us with Alexander Hamilton's writing. Guess who he was predicting almost 250 years ago?

"To hope that the people may be cajoled into giving their sanctions to such institutions is still more chimerical. A people so enlightened and so diversified as the people of this Country can surely never be brought to it, but from convulsions and disorders, in consequence of the acts of popular demagogues.

The truth unquestionably is, that the only path to a subversion of the republican system of the Country is, by flattering the prejudices of the people, and exciting their jealousies and apprehensions, to throw affairs into confusion, and bring on civil commotion. Tired at length of anarchy, or want of government, they may take shelter in the arms of monarchy for repose and security.

Those then, who resist a confirmation of public order, are the true Artificers of monarchy—not that this is the intention of the generality of them. Yet it would not be difficult to lay the finger upon some of their party who may justly be suspected. When a man unprincipled in private life desperate in his fortune, bold in his temper, possessed of considerable talents, having the advantage of military habits—despotic in his ordinary demeanour—known to have scoffed in private at the principles of liberty—when such a man is seen to mount the hobby horse of popularity—to join in the cry of danger to liberty—to take every opportunity of embarrassing the General Government & bringing it under suspicion—to flatter and fall in with all the non sense of the zealots of the day—It may justly be suspected that his object is to throw things into confusion that he may “ride the storm and direct the whirlwind.”

 

[Lazaran]

Man, Ken Burns enlightened us with Alexander Hamilton's writing. Guess who he was predicting almost 250 years ago?

"To hope that the people may be cajoled into giving their sanctions to such institutions is still more chimerical. A people so enlightened and so diversified as the people of this Country can surely never be brought to it, but from convulsions and disorders, in consequence of the acts of popular demagogues.

The truth unquestionably is, that the only path to a subversion of the republican system of the Country is, by flattering the prejudices of the people, and exciting their jealousies and apprehensions, to throw affairs into confusion, and bring on civil commotion. Tired at length of anarchy, or want of government, they may take shelter in the arms of monarchy for repose and security.

Those then, who resist a confirmation of public order, are the true Artificers of monarchy—not that this is the intention of the generality of them. Yet it would not be difficult to lay the finger upon some of their party who may justly be suspected. When a man unprincipled in private life desperate in his fortune, bold in his temper, possessed of considerable talents, having the advantage of military habits—despotic in his ordinary demeanour—known to have scoffed in private at the principles of liberty—when such a man is seen to mount the hobby horse of popularity—to join in the cry of danger to liberty—to take every opportunity of embarrassing the General Government & bringing it under suspicion—to flatter and fall in with all the non sense of the zealots of the day—It may justly be suspected that his object is to throw things into confusion that he may “ride the storm and direct the whirlwind.”

And some people "think" religion & Nostradamus had the corner on prophecy…



(It was actually a very educated guess / prediction, likely informed by previous observations).



We. Told. Them. So.

 

[RoryN]

Anyone else watching and enjoying?

I'm looking forward to seeing it. Burns is rock solid in his craft.

I find it incredibly well done, very similar to his Civil War documentary, which is the best doc I've ever watched to this day.

Regarding the heartbreaking letter narrated in that film from the soldier Sullivan Ballou to his wife: dude got hit by a cannonball, lost his leg, died, and then had his head cut off and gleefully carried around by Confederate soldiers like a trophy because they thought he'd been a General. No one knew about the letter until it was found in his trunk later on. War is ugly.

 

[ll74]

I'm looking forward to seeing it. Burns is rock solid in his craft.



Regarding the heartbreaking letter narrated in that film from the soldier Sullivan Ballou to his wife: dude got hit by a cannonball, lost his leg, died, and then had his head cut off and gleefully carried around by Confederate soldiers like a trophy because they thought he'd been a General. No one knew about the letter until it was found in his trunk later on. War is ugly.

Yes. This one is showing an aspect regarding women, Native Americans and blacks...even Germans that hasn't really been as exposed before. And doing so without making it a narrative.

 

[OralAllOver]

As usual, Commie Burns screwed it up

True MAGA Americans know King George III is the hero of the story!

 

[eric_erosfan]

I'm looking forward to seeing it. Burns is rock solid in his craft.



Regarding the heartbreaking letter narrated in that film from the soldier Sullivan Ballou to his wife: dude got hit by a cannonball, lost his leg, died, and then had his head cut off and gleefully carried around by Confederate soldiers like a trophy because they thought he'd been a General. No one knew about the letter until it was found in his trunk later on. War is ugly.

I remember when that episode first aired. I was in a dorm room full of military guys drinking beer. All of a sudden all talking stopped as everyone was transfixed on the letter narration. When it was over a lot of those tough guys had "something in their eye".

 

[ll74]

I remember when that episode first aired. I was in a dorm room full of military guys drinking beer. All of a sudden all talking stopped as everyone was transfixed on the letter narration. When it was over a lot of those tough guys had "something in their eye".

I watch that doc once a year.

Just amazing.

He did one on the national parks also I have been meaning to watch