The American Revolution

I've been enjoying the series. Last evening (episode 3) it was represented that General Howe, during the Battle of Long Island, had left his campfires lit to deceive Washington as to his army's intentions to fall on the Patriots by surprise. I said to my wife " I didn't know that" and went onto tell her that Washington had used the same ploy to deceive Howe when he subsequently withdrew from Long Island to Manhattan. "Did Washington learn a trick from Howe I speculated". The fact that Washington's campfire deception was never mentioned in the episode left me surprised. Following the show I went to my large history library and found numerous references of Washington's campfire deception, but none of Howe's. I also noted several other inaccuracies ( mostly omissions and slants). But, this is only my editorial opinion.

I am not an amateur historian and hold several degrees in history, taught history and was a Fellow at Yale University where I developed and published curriculum for public schools under Yale's auspice. I should add that this period of history is not my specialty and in the early 80's went on to pursue a new career in vertical flight where i was named an Honorary Fellow of the Vertical Flight Society(a distinctive honor awarded to only two persons worldwide annually). I'm retired now for many years and continue to pursue my many and varied interests.

Gary P. Smith.

History at its sane and sober best. Thorough. Multi-perspective. Never knew nor imagined that so many different peoples cohabitated in cities. Brutal and bloody but true. At our roots, birthed from war and ideas. When the one killed and exploited - dark. When the winner - not so. But that is history. And none of these truths negate the impact of ideals. Around the world, imperfect humans, flawed and violent, can still birth a nation worth fighting for.

Another fine Ken Burns documentary - akin to a 400-level undergraduate course at a good university. Speaking of universities, at least half of the professors on camera were from Harvard. For subject matter that has deep meaning for all the USA, to have that one school almost monopolize air time is wrong. Really, just that one school? Even the other Ivy League schools known for their history departments: Penn, Princeton, Yale were not tapped, much less any state university.

The American Revolution is an eye opening example of how quality television can be both educational and inspiring. After two episodes Iknow so much more about the intricacies of the Revolution than I ever learned at school. The discussion of events most often includes the actual thoughts and emotions of the individual written concurrently with the events discussed. Although there is of course no live action footage or even photographs, the artwork and reproductions surrounding each event are very well done. Congratulations are in order for everyone involved in this work. And thank you.

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.