Ken Burns' "The War." - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cmac2012 · #1 09-25-2007, 10:54 PM

Good stuff. As many times as I've seen documentaries about it, new material is always interesting.

I like the parts I've seen so far about the Latinos. I think the brew ha-ha on that was a bit overblown. Artists make art about what they know.

One new bit of info I've gathered: I knew that Hitler was unhappy with the way WW1 and aftermath played out, I didn't realize that he despised groups within Germany -- socialists, communists, and Jews -- because he blamed them for stabbing German troops in the back during the first war.

Oh man, it's that old deja vu all over again. Lessee, the first war is lost but rather than consider that some great moral failing or ill conceived nature of the war was the problem, instead the blame falls on those who didn't share the passion to fight it fully. Followed by a second war, where the aggrieved parties of the first war, determined to get the bad taste of the first war our of their mouths, REALLY muck things up badly with the nation falling hard on its face in the process. If only Hitler and crew hadn't been so obsessed with their supremacy.

I don't guess that could ever happen again.

#2 09-25-2007, 11:11 PM

When the Communists were trying to take over Spain during the Spanish civil war, Hitler sent the Condor Legion to help General Franco defeat them. What did the U.S. do? They sent a rag-tag team of thugs to help the communists. Franco never forgave the U.S., and after WWII, would not let a U.S. plane fly through Spanish airspace without an escort.

GermanStar · #3 09-25-2007, 11:24 PM

It's interesting, but too slow and tedious at times. The Civil War was better, IMHO.

tankdriver · #4 09-26-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GermanStar

It's interesting, but too slow and tedious at times. The Civil War was better, IMHO.

Agreed. I don't know how you could make something like on WWII boring, but he did.

Angel · #5 09-26-2007, 12:55 PM

Wife and I saw most of last nights episode(? )on WCET in Cincinnati

We were both riveted to the screen, really cool stuff. I took the oppurtunity to have us go to the Gathering/Mustangs/Legends up the road in Columbus this weekend. I'll have to see of Ohio Air national Guard members get a hookup on admission...

-John

JenTay · #6 10-01-2007, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankdriver

Agreed. I don't know how you could make something like on WWII boring, but he did.

Whoever is doing the narrating killed the show.

Show a little emotion for Pete's sake!!!

The way he talks makes the show draaaagggg. What a waste.

peragro · #7 09-26-2007, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

I didn't realize that he (Hitler) despised groups within Germany -- socialists, communists, and Jews -- who he blamed for stabbing German troops in the back during the first war.

Dude, remember that painting into a corner comment and my reply?

Anyway, when is it on? I guess I've missed the first bit. Mrs. Peragro will be unhappy, she gave me the job of tivoing it. Hopefully they'll be replaying it? Hope she doesn't read this...

rickg · #8 09-26-2007, 03:51 AM

Just found out I have a distant relative that appeared in this show, one of the veterans. Now I HAVE to watch it!

cmac2012 · #9 09-26-2007, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickg

Just found out I have a distant relative that appeared in this show, one of the veterans. Now I HAVE to watch it!

Cool! I tried to get my Dad to tell some of his stories to some archivist, anyone, before he died, to no avail. He told me very little. He was in New Guinea and the Philippines, '43 on.

I haven't been able to find much on the land part of the battle to retake the island of Leyte, where MacArthur made his famous return. Mostly you hear about the naval part of that battle. He was in the 24th I.D. and stood on the beach when MacArthur waded ashore.

al76slc · #10 09-26-2007, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

I haven't been able to find much on the land part of the battle to retake the island of Leyte, where MacArthur made his famous return. Mostly you hear about the naval part of that battle. He was in the 24th I.D. and stood on the beach when MacArthur waded ashore.

This won't help you, but Evan Thomas' book, Sea of Thunder, which came out last year, was a terrific story about the battle of Leyte Gulf. Unfortunately, just focused on the naval aspects, IIRC, and more specifically, four major players - 2 on each side. Fascinating read, but not especially flattering to Bull Halsey. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780743252218&z=ybut

I've been a big Ken Burns fan in the past. He's consistently hit topics I'm interested in - Civil War, baseball history and jazz, and more recently WWII, but I've found this one unwatchable.

Personally if anyone is interested in WWII, I'd turn off the TV and pick up Stephen Ambrose's "Citizen Soldiers" or "D-Day".

dynalow · #11 09-26-2007, 08:01 AM

Last night dwelled a bit too long on the Mobile race problems. I do enjoy listening to the old warriors though. The black Marine seems to have it in focus.
Sen. Daniel Inoueye's (sp?)story about his father telling him when he enlisted that they were Americans and to bring no shame or dishonor on his family or his country was touching.

I'm still warming up to the series. It has to go some to catch the Civil War, imo.

cmac2012 · #12 09-26-2007, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by al76slc

This won't help you, but Evan Thomas' book, Sea of Thunder, which came out last year, was a terrific story about the battle of Leyte Gulf. Unfortunately, just focused on the naval aspects, IIRC, and more specifically, four major players - 2 on each side. Fascinating read, but not especially flattering to Bull Halsey. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9780743252218&z=ybut

I've been a big Ken Burns fan in the past. He's consistently hit topics I'm interested in - Civil War, baseball history and jazz, and more recently WWII, but I've found this one unwatchable.

Personally if anyone is interested in WWII, I'd turn off the TV and pick up Stephen Ambrose's "Citizen Soldiers" or "D-Day".

It is a tad slow, but there's good info in there nonetheless.

cmac2012 · #13 09-26-2007, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peragro

Dude, remember that painting into a corner comment and my reply?

Anyway, when is it on? I guess I've missed the first bit. Mrs. Peragro will be unhappy, she gave me the job of tivoing it. Hopefully they'll be replaying it? Hope she doesn't read this...

Sorry, haven't seen that reply yet.

I don't follow the bold face on selected text. I mean, I knew he despised those factions, I didn't realize he blamed the loss of WW1 on them.

On KQED in SF it started Sunday, runs every night til Wednesday. Not sure if that's all of it or if it's a nation-wide release. Watch out, Mrs. Peragro might be getting a nice DVD collection for Christmas from the PBS store.

peragro · #14 09-26-2007, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Sorry, haven't seen that reply yet.

I don't follow the bold face on selected text. I mean, I knew he despised those factions, I didn't realize he blamed the loss of WW1 on them.

On KQED in SF it started Sunday, runs every night til Wednesday. Not sure if that's all of it or if it's a nation-wide release. Watch out, Mrs. Peragro might be getting a nice DVD collection for Christmas from the PBS store.

You'll read it, I'm sure.

I managed to find almost all the episodes over the next two weeks or so. Some of the upcoming ones look very interesting based on the small description that the Sat. company gives. I'm thinking Mrs. Peragro may get a set of homemade DVDs in the next few weeks...

cmac2012 · #15 09-27-2007, 03:49 AM

You got a reprieve. I'm sure you'll send funds to PBS anyway.