The American Revolution

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.

Based on episode 1, this is the usual quality production from Ken Burns & company. It's widely encompassing, human, and fascinating.

My only complaint is that I can't find a list anywhere of which actors are voicing which characters. I understand the desire to be even handed, but for me part of the fun of Burns' productions is recognizing the actors' voices. I hope this info is released soon.

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.

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".

I enjoyed this over a week when I was recovering from an operation and it was perfect. It's substantial and satisfying. It's Ken Burns and team at their best. It's highly educational and illuminating and makes you completely change how you look at and understand our American origin story. Along the way I was inspired but also depressed.

It is inspiring because even amongst the historians that they chose, there's a very clear celebration of a unique culture that was developed as a result of the colonization of the United States. This is encapsulated in a quote from a German general. When he was asked what the difference between the American foot soldier and European foot soldier was, he said "When I tell a European soldier, what to do they just do it, which is great for an army, but when I tell an American what to do I have to give a reason why." I think that just resonated with me.

And I think you do want reasons to celebrate or feel good because it's a bleak story. There is so much sadness. The quotes from not just the famous people, but from foot soldiers and the women who supported the armies their husbands to the Native Americans really help you understand what they were doing and why. You get a great sense of how much sacrifice was made by so many people. You really get a sense of who won and who lost and what the motivations truly were the key players and it's not a pretty picture. But it feels honest and well investigated and true, and these days I feel like truth is more nourishing than ever before since we have so little of it in our media.

I tend to rewatch my favorites like the Civil War every few years and I'm sure I'll watch this one again.