Die Entstehung der US-Bundesstaaten

This series is very educational and you will learn many things that you never knew about, things that are commonplace but you never thought about them. The visual aides are good and you get a chance to visit all the places under study. Most interesting are the states that didn't get organized. Definitely a must-see for history buffs

I really like this show. It makes my nerdy little heart sing. In a world filled with Snookies, Honey Boo Boos and gator wrestling, moonshiners it's refreshing to find a show that is both fun and informative. It's not just about how the states got their borders, it's about how the people, the culture and the infrastructure of the states were shaped. It's a really cool concept and I'm always disappointed when each episode ends because it's so fascinating.

Also, the host - Brian Unger - is kind of adorkable. His comedic timing, every man quality and 'person on the street' interviews keep things from getting too dry. I like the fact that he genuinely relates to the people he meets and doesn't make fun of them.

When we sit down to watch television as a family, we choose documentaries.

In addition, we are Americans living in Canada so it is important for us that our daughter (now 13, moved here when she was not quite 8) get some American History in addition to the Canadian and Quebecois history she gets in school.

I downloaded the first episode to gauge her reaction and interest. To my delight, she immediately requested I download the rest of the series.

Told in a fun conversational style, and using some footage that I am pretty sure was part of "The Story of US" , it takes you through different angles of just how the United States ended up looking the way it looks.

To Date we have seen the first three covering how Water, Transportation and Forces of Nature have impacted the shapes of the United States. In between the segments, I have shared stories about where I was born (Wheeling West Virgina) as well as being a little girl in Jacksonville North Carolina in the early 1970's with no air conditioning in sight - something that seems almost inconceivable today.

Listen, when you can hook a 13 year old and get her to ask for More? You are doing something right.

The first season was amazing, I loved it. Something very strange happened in the second season though, it adopted a cheesy game show type style and VERY centralized around the Midwest. Every episode in the second season seems to have something to do with the Midwest. What about the other states? Yeah, they are mentioned but not explored in depth. I've heard them talk about Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, etc., what about Oregon, Washington, Montana? Hell, California has only been features once or twice. Maybe the boarders are more interesting in the Midwest but you could still talk about the other states more. Maybe I'm wrong and have missed something but it just seems like the producer of the show loves the great lakes area.

I grew up reading history and have never lost my interest. Having participated in several History Channel programs, it was a disappointment to see how "The Channel" (not much history) warped into such fare as Swamp People and Ice Rd Truckers.

I was unaware of. Mr. Unger until I saw a States Got Their Shapes episode. His extremely casual attire threw me: who is this with his plaid shirt unbuttoned, revealing an unbuttoned undershirt? Oh, he's the host!

Perhaps I'm a relic of the previous century, but in broadcasting and journalism classes we were taught that appearance lends credibility, and it doesn't have to be a suit and tie.

Just FWIW.