Ken Burns The American Revolution

Anonymous
I am watching but I find my attention wandering because it is boring. Anyone else feel this way?
Anonymous
Watching episode 1 now and I’m into it! It’s my first Ken Burns so guess I’m officially old lol
Anonymous
I watched some last night while I was working on my laptop and it definitely wasn't enough to pull me away from work.
Anonymous
KB started out good, but got lazy and repetitive.

That said, perhaps the Kardashians or extreme-reality TV are more your speed OP?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Watching episode 1 now and I’m into it! It’s my first Ken Burns so guess I’m officially old lol


Go back and watch "The Civil War."

The PP is right. This one is boring. And that's coming from someone who is usually a big Ken Burns fan.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Watching episode 1 now and I’m into it! It’s my first Ken Burns so guess I’m officially old lol


Go back and watch "The Civil War."

The PP is right. This one is boring. And that's coming from someone who is usually a big Ken Burns fan.


The Civil War was really amazing. This one is just less compelling, somehow. I’m not sure if it’s my own over-familiarity with the subject matter, or what. I keep finding my attention drifting.
Anonymous
I’m loving it but our family is into history and poli sci.
Anonymous
His Vietnam one was excellent!
Anonymous
Yep! My attention definitely drifted. It felt like I was reading a history textbook.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:His Vietnam one was excellent!


It’s almost unfair to compare anything to that one because it benefitted from having living veterans and witnesses sharing their story. If he could do that same thing for the American Revolution it would be equally compelling. It’s just hard to make a series that is as gripping and memorable without the firsthand accounts of people who lived it sharing their experiences as opposed to historians reciting it on their behalf.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I am watching but I find my attention wandering because it is boring. Anyone else feel this way?


It’s true that Martha Washington wasn’t built like a Kardashian, but I think you’re supposed to overlook such tragedies.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:KB started out good, but got lazy and repetitive.

That said, perhaps the Kardashians or extreme-reality TV are more your speed OP?


I have watched and loved all of his documentaries prior to this. Also. I have never watched the two you recommend and apparently love
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am watching but I find my attention wandering because it is boring. Anyone else feel this way?


It’s true that Martha Washington wasn’t built like a Kardashian, but I think you’re supposed to overlook such tragedies.


NP here -- My husband and I are both total history geeks; we majored in history and watched and appreciated Burns's Civil War and Vietnam War documentaries. So far, the American Revolution doc isn't of the same caliber. Without photography and video, the visual images aren't as arresting. Similarly, the talking heads aren't as captivating. The Civil War had its break-out stars in Shelby Foote, Barbara Fields and Daisy Turner. Vietnam had amazing interviews with a host of participants who fought in the war, protested it, shaped or witnessed the shaping of its course, and otherwise suffered its impact on their lives. Finally, I do wonder whether Burns's take on the American Revolution is less gripping now that we've all seen Hamilton and listened to its soundtrack endlessly. We didn't watch last night because my daughter and I wanted to watch Prince night on DWTS (if you missed it, justic was done and Whitney was vanquished) but we'll resume tonight and I'll try to avoid humming "32,000 troops in NY Harbor".
Anonymous
My DH and I are watching and although I like it (I love Ken Burns and have watched most of his other documentaries) I think that the episodes are just too long? 2 hrs is a lot. Agree with PPs that better anecdotes in both the Civil War & Vietnam (with interviews of ppl who were eye witnesses). But, I still like it! Could watch anything he does really.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am watching but I find my attention wandering because it is boring. Anyone else feel this way?


It’s true that Martha Washington wasn’t built like a Kardashian, but I think you’re supposed to overlook such tragedies.


Try again.

He's not a god. We're allowed to critique his work.
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