The American Revolution

Though still only watching the first episode, I can easily see it is up to the usual exemplary standards exhibited by Ken Burns, in addition to Sarah Botstein, David Schmidt, and their production staff. Detailed research (some of which appearing to be items not yet very familiar to the layperson), stories and information not of just well known participants in our fight for freedom but, of "regular" citizens - and thankfully reminding us how unfair it was that slaves, Native Americans, and women were not usually included in this fight for freedom - and all presented in a way that entertains, informs, and allows us to see the importance for all Americans - both those born here and those who've made this country their new home - to remember why our ancestors undertook this grave and life-changing fight, and how important it is, especially now, to know why preserving these early ideals must be paramount to our continued existence.

Amazing details. Storytelling telling is great. Narrators are perfect.apparently I need 230 more words... I'm not long-winded. This is really good. Should be watched by all to know how this thing called the United States came to be. 70 more letters. George Washington was the man. 21 more words. Now seven.

After watching the first installment of this series I wanted to recommend it to everyone I know. The series is very thorough, but at the same time it maintains your interest. Anyone who learned about early American history in school will find that this series provides a wealth of additional information that they didn't know about.

Thank you Ken Burns for an outstanding piece of work!

Human history, when truthfully told, can be a messy business - and when Ken Burns ventured into the complex story of the American Revolution he was determined to cover as much as possible - and doesn't shy away from uncomfortable chapters. The result is something miles away from a tidy creation myth of long rifles simply besting King George's Redcoats. Instead it's a sprawling and sometimes sobering history of a bloody global war with many sides with varied interests. The story does have many moving pieces and players - kings, civilians, mercenary princelings, 18th Century influencers, indigenous peoples and slaves. Victories and massacres, triumphs and tragedies occur on both sides.

We do see that Washington's men fought hard and stoically endured horrific deprivations - but also that the path to Yorktown would have been impossible without the aid of British rivals. Spain and especially France were desperate to bring their Island enemy down after the Seven Years War.

Some critics here deride Burns' sidebars on First Nations and slavery (though every warring economy was based on the institution) or the Enlightment beliefs of some of the founding fathers. But the history ultimately is about ideas and aspirations that will impact "yet unborn millions".

The American Revolution is an eye opening example of how quality television can be both educational and inspiring. After two episodes Iknow so much more about the intricacies of the Revolution than I ever learned at school. The discussion of events most often includes the actual thoughts and emotions of the individual written concurrently with the events discussed. Although there is of course no live action footage or even photographs, the artwork and reproductions surrounding each event are very well done. Congratulations are in order for everyone involved in this work. And thank you.