Is anyone else watching the Ken Burns series on the Roosevelts on PBS?

[Anonymous]

It was interesting to see that FDR was basically an outcast loser in high school, how unlike what I imagined!

And TR's insane amount of achievements and productivity made me feel like an idiot

[Anonymous]

FDR married his cousin. Cue the deliverance music . Wonder if he could see Germany from his front porch, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FDR married his cousin. Cue the deliverance music . Wonder if he could see Germany from his front porch, lol.

Lol, his fifth cousin once removed. I said it on the other thread - your spouse is probably more related to you than these two were.

[Anonymous]

We had Ashokan Farewell played by a violinist at our wedding. It is so beautiful.

[Anonymous]

Watched most of the first 3. It's very interesting, and there is a lot I didn't know even though I was a big fan of ER when I was younger (wrote some papers on her in HS and college). I wish it were shown once a week rather than every day, like Downton Abbey. I feel like I need a break already (we don't have a dvr so recording isn't really an option, plus then we just be an episode behind).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was interesting to see that FDR was basically an outcast loser in high school, how unlike what I imagined!

And TR's insane amount of achievements and productivity made me feel like an idiot

And that he was blackballed from the Porcellian Club. So that kind of thing can happen to the best of us.

TR was amazing, and at such young ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Watched most of the first 3. It's very interesting, and there is a lot I didn't know even though I was a big fan of ER when I was younger (wrote some papers on her in HS and college). I wish it were shown once a week rather than every day, like Downton Abbey. I feel like I need a break already (we don't have a dvr so recording isn't really an option, plus then we just be an episode behind).

I know. It's like watching the Olympics. It never lets up!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FDR was very good looking in his youth!

Yes, he was a very handsome man. Also a very good man. He set in place the way we as Americans know modern life.

[Anonymous]

This episode: FDR's polio diagnosis at 39. So sad. I'm tearing up.

[Anonymous]

They kept saying the roosevelts had money. But no mention of investing or maintaining the money except for losing half on the ranch in ND. So how did a family like roosevelt invest and maintain wealth in their era????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FDR married his cousin. Cue the deliverance music . Wonder if he could see Germany from his front porch, lol.

Lol, his fifth cousin once removed. I said it on the other thread - your spouse is probably more related to you than these two were.

[Anonymous]

Watching the fifth episode now. It is so sad to me that, as one of the historians said, no one with physical disabilities to the extent of those faced by FDR would be elected today. His power was protected by him disguising his disability and by Americans (and press) willing to grant him that disguise. Nowadays, the press would cover every ugly aspect of it, and Americans would treat him as truly disabled. It makes me rethink the age debate that sees to crop up every presidential election cycle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Watching the fifth episode now. It is so sad to me that, as one of the historians said, no one with physical disabilities to the extent of those faced by FDR would be elected today. His power was protected by him disguising his disability and by Americans (and press) willing to grant him that disguise. Nowadays, the press would cover every ugly aspect of it, and Americans would treat him as truly disabled. It makes me rethink the age debate that sees to crop up every presidential election cycle.

What a strong man he was. All those hundreds of speeches he made... just think, he was standing all those times with his heavy metal braces locked. He was in pain the whole time, yet he gave such forceful, powerful speeches. I admire him so much. Eleanor too. Such good people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FDR was very good looking in his youth!

I know! I had no idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FDR was very good looking in his youth!

I know! I had no idea.

You could still see his handsomeness during his presidency, IMO. Wonderful smile, strong upper body, tall, kind eyes. Yes, I'm hooked. In the words of what was written on a boxcar at the time, "Roosevelt is my friend."