Kevin Costner's the West

This is a great documentary about the American West, I especially enjoyed the cinematography scenes and the personalities of the people, whether friendly or clashing. Many reviews mention Kevin Costner's narration as boring and dull, but it's better than reading a big, dusty history book yourself. I like his voice.

Apparently my review is too short. Okay, here's more, imo Episode one, "Fallen Timbers" serves as an introduction that includes the natives of the "Indian Nations of the Northwest Confederacy" to a victory. I was glad to see the resistance to what many consider an invasion from another continent.

I had been expecting the premiere of this series, mainly because of Kevin Costner's role in producing it. Sadly to say, I couldn't keep watching the first episode because I caught myself wishing that the narration shifted to the experts' comments or some action. I'm sorry to say it, but Costner's narration was lifeless, boring, no passion or anything. That made the whole thing dull, monotonous. Another thing was that it lacked acting. Too many pictures, too much narration and too little acting. I may give it another chance because the story was interesting and perhaps the whole thing improved after the 20 minutes I saw. Otherwise, I wouldn't stand it.

I was looking forward to this series. Unfortunately, Kevin Costner's narration was boring, nasal, and sounded like he wasn't at all interested in the subject.

Despite that, I've watched about half of the first episode and learned a few bits of historical information I hadn't heard before.

It's a real disappointment that this wasn't more well done. There are so many things in this period of American history that are not very well-known by most people - this is a missed opportunity to present a more complete picture of the times and the impact of actions taken on all who were involved, as well as all their descendants.

If I really want to watch something I may finish it just for the informative parts. Otherwise, I know how to solve the problem of not being able to sleep.

Kevin Costner's the West is the best documentary series of the American West that I have ever seen. I have lived my entire life in the west, and all of my ancestors came from Europe in the later 1800s. Their destination was the American West. Therefore, I can identify with their story told through the lens and the commentary of well known historians. I have learned so very much about the era from the time of the year American revolution (and long before) until current day. To have Doris Kearns Goodwin and David Brinkley, for example, not only telling the story but telling it from their own research and considerable knowledge, makes it unique. I highly recommend this series to anyone with whatever interest they have in the history of this country and the people that make it what it is today.

It may be monotone or boring to some, but to people who know nothing about their history, it was amazing! It was wonderful to watch these people actually start to realize and start to understand some parts of the American history and culture. If Kevin Costner lending his voice to the history of the American experience and young people sit up to listen just a tiny bit, then I consider that a success! I'm terribly pleased that all of these superstars are lending their names and their voices to our history and knowledge via some of these educational channels! Anything to get our history out there to the masses is a win in my book.