America; The Story of Us (1 Viewer)

[mestell]

Did anybody watch the first episode of "America, the Story of Us" on the History channel last night? I found it to be very disappointing and very abbreviated. The story went from the early settlements (Jamestown/Pilgrims/Puritans) right to pre-rev war Boston without even a hint of mention about the FIW. Glanced over the tax issues of the time. Lexington was briefly discussed as where the "Shot heard around the world" was fired - not the North Bridge at Concord. In fact the fight at Concord was never mentioned along with the battle of Breed's/Bunker Hill. I really looked forward to this series and frankly after watching it last night I don't know if I wil continue watching the series.
Mike

 

[Scott]

It's pretty awful. I looked at the forums over on the History Channel and it's a combination of hating the details to hating the various celebrities that give sound bites.

A LOT of military nonsense about the "new" weapon of the rifle, the British troops were combat veterans, "rag-tag militia" and Von Steuben shown giving commando training at valley Forge. and training them to be "killers."

 

[marco55]

No FIW! I won't watch!
Mark

 

[DCN1898]

I watched a little of the program, (as much as I could stand!) it seems that when the choice was teaching history or showing a cool computer graphic, the graphic won. I did get to watch a tobacco plant grow from a seed though!

 

[Combat]

Did they mention that George Washington once saw Bigfoot or Abe Lincoln was attacked by a hogzilla following the Gettysburg address? That would be the sort of show I would expect from the History Channel. They could also turn out the lights and have historical figures yell "what's that sound" or "oh my god something just touched my arm" for half an hour. I would actually watch that.

 

[Scott]

I'm expecting Nostradamus and some connection to the Holy Grail. THC has turned into the superstition channel.

 

[BlakeWR85]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't like it. Since when did Cheryl Crow become an expert on American history . The British line up as if they're in a computer video game, single file and about four feet apart, then they charge with bayonets with a camera view taken from saving private ryan, the colonists looked like Mel Gibson's patriots chasing down the British from Concord back to Boston . It skipped around too much, you're right Mark, where's the FIW To me, it was viewing history with a modern eyes, I feel like the colonists in the trenches should've been wearing paratrooper garb, behaving as if in modern warfare, especially with the guy flying through the air like superman after getting hit by a shell (just my opinion, it wasn't believable). And why do they keep referring Joseph Plumb Martin as just Plumb Martin Sorry to rant on guys, got carried away
I vote the that "The Revolutionary War" documentary narrated by Charles Kuralt was the best pertaining to this era. What do you guys think?

 

[Scott]

The problem with them using the non-historian talking heads is that few in the audience will agree that any or all have a "say" on American History. A non-historian can have an informed opinion but most tune into THC for a Historian's or a participant's view in the case of someone who was actually there. Cheryl Crow has been active with a number of charities and causes for instance. Rudi Giuliani was there to do his job on 911 so maybe there's some Battle of New York connection. Newt Gingrich has written historical fiction. Perhaps these celebrities were chosen as successful Americans in their respective fields despite that we may think that they are villains or light weights. The theme of the program seems to be Americans who were successful made American History. John Rolfe for instance saving Jamestown by cultivating tobacco or the successful business man Paul Revere also being a messenger. (He said "The Regulars are out" not the "British are coming" Dang it!)

Considering that THC has used really good reenactment units for shows in the past and has recycled that footage, you'd think they'd use it again. Some of the Rev-War reenactors in my neighborhood are screaming on the forums about the poor details on the Rev-War scenes. I can't wait for the Civil War scenes. Haha!

 

[BlakeWR85]

The problem with them using the non-historian talking heads is that few in the audience will agree that any or all have a "say" on American History. A non-historian can have an informed opinion but most tune into THC for a Historian's or a participant's view in the case of someone who was actually there. Cheryl Crow has been active with a number of charities and causes for instance. Rudi Giuliani was there to do his job on 911 so maybe there's some Battle of New York connection. Newt Gingrich has written historical fiction. Perhaps these celebrities were chosen as successful Americans in their respective fields despite that we may think that they are villains or light weights. The theme of the program seems to be Americans who were successful made American History. John Rolfe for instance saving Jamestown by cultivating tobacco or the successful business man Paul Revere also being a messenger. (He said "The Regulars are out" not the "British are coming" Dang it!)

Considering that THC has used really good reenactment units for shows in the past and has recycled that footage, you'd think they'd use it again. Some of the Rev-War reenactors in my neighborhood are screaming on the forums about the poor details on the Rev-War scenes. I can't wait for the Civil War scenes. Haha!

Hey Scott, thanks for the message, makes sense from your point of view. I just seen terrible reenacting scenes (hence your screaming friends) and a lack of "heavy weights" leading the narration, and not a spotty summary. I'm still not on board with the non-historians who have "informed opinions," I'm a college student, so I get enough of pointless and crappy opinions, basically philosophy, not so much history. To give you an idea, I had an American History class of pre-Civil War, all French and Indian War buffs listen up, the instructor told the class that Braddock was on expedition to take back Fort Necessity Thanks for the insight Scott, yeah I can't wait either for the Civil War, Pickett's Charge will look like paint-ball competition

 

[Rob]

Coming from the Channel that gave us a special entitled 'All about Dung' (I kid you not)should we be surprised!

Rob

 

[Dragoon]

Did they mention that George Washington once saw Bigfoot or Abe Lincoln was attacked by a hogzilla following the Gettysburg address? That would be the sort of show I would expect from the History Channel. They could also turn out the lights and have historical figures yell "what's that sound" or "oh my god something just touched my arm" for half an hour. I would actually watch that.

Too Funny!!!

 

[Scott]

.............. I'm still not on board with the non-historians who have "informed opinions,"..................

Me neither, just sayin'. I'm thinking about comedian Lewis Black's comment on the Superbowl's Salute to Freedom.


"The Super Bowl this year was kind of interesting because they ran three and a half or four hours of 'A Salute to America,' brought to us by the NFL. So by the time they were kicking off, I was actually sick of freedom; I pined to be enslaved."