Civil War History - Secession and PoliticsWas it Slavery, or was it States Rights? Perhaps it was the election of Lincoln? What were the real reasons for Southern Secession and what were the political issues in this time of war? Find your answers here in the Secession and Politics Disussion.
.Would you recommend buying Ken Burns Civil War Series on DVD?
I bought it, and I'm not sorry. It's quite pricey, though. Everytime I watch it I find another error, but I still regard it as a good purchase because it was so well done from a production standpoint. I wouldn't take it as gospel. Shelby Foote is entertaining, but there are quite a few things he claims that are questionable. I also didn't agree with Barbara Fields' theory that the slaves knew more about the war than Lincoln or Davis or any of the generals on either side. There is a book available that has essays from several historians responding to the Ken Burns documentary which is useful as well.
As a con to buying it, though, Professor Robertson has no use for it. He absolutely hates it.
Shane,
What the heck is going on?You made a post that has nothing I feel compelled to disagree with.As I've said before I like McPherson and have a lot of respect for him as a historian ,though of course I don't agree with him on everything.Would you recommend buying Ken Burns Civil War Series on DVD?I'd appreciate your honest appraisal.
Regards,
Ashley
(butting in)
Save your money, Ashley. It's a pretty piece, and well worth having for aesthetic purposes. But by virture of your participation on this board, your understanding, learning, and scholarship have progressed beyond what Ken Burns has offered. Put another way, the board is free and you won't learn more from Ken Burns than you've learned already.
I value your opinion so I appreciate that.I guess I was thinking more along the lines of aesthetic pleasure rather than educational value.I love it when the history channel has the civil war on, but I generally don't learn much from it.With the music and the programming it does something to heighten my senses if that makes sense. So is it worth it from an enjoyment standpoint?
Regards,
Ashley
Shane,
What the heck is going on?You made a post that has nothing I feel compelled to disagree with.As I've said before I like McPherson and have a lot of respect for him as a historian ,though of course I don't agree with him on everything.Would you recommend buying Ken Burns Civil War Series on DVD?I'd appreciate your honest appraisal.
Regards,
Ashley
OK I'm still writing down the date time and reason of agreement... Though I find that I am more likely to agree w/ you, SgtCSA, Alabaman and some other relatively new blood than many of the old hands... Less emotion and more relying on legit data & facts instead of Lost Cause websites.
Actually, I do not own the Ken Burns series because I am a very cheap bastard and the $140 price tag (last time I looked at the price on DVD) was better put to use buying a greatcoat. THough I have borrowed it from the library at least twice in the last three years. I like the Ken Burns series because it has gone further, I think, to reigniting an interest in the CW than any other work in the last 30 odd years. THere are errors in the work but I don't think they are intentional or all that earth shattering. It is very entertaining, informative and superbly put together. That said... go for a copy from Half Price Books or borrow it from the library and use that $140 to get started in re-enacting.
I think I've learned far more by doing than reading. By interacting w/ other knowledgeable re-enactors, mimicking some of the every day experiances I think I have a far better understanding of the experiance of a civil war soldier than when I was only reading. I have been lucky enough to be married to a woman who also enjoys history and who has dove into the hobby almost as enthusiastically as I. Her open flame cooking and clothing, civilian life etc talks are generally quite well received. If the 4th AL was not defunct I would push you in that direction but as you are a teacher of largely black students I might suggest forming a USCT unit... THere is no better way to get kids interested in history than to have them live it and the USCT and its contribution is hugely under represented in the re-enacting/living history world. hehe I might even suggest applying for an Applied History Grant to get the state & fed govt to work w/ you. I suspect you would look good as a Lt, w/ a dozen USCT troops behind you. IIRC there were 4 USCT Inf Regiments raised from Alabama boys and I think one arty unit. The teaching opportunities would literally be endless.
__________________ Shane Christen
American Legion Post 352
SUVCW Camp Abernethy# 48
Lifetime NRA member
3rd MN VI
For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Eccl 1:18
Ole,
Yea I have learned a lot from this board in the little time I've been a member.Definitely more than I ever learned in college.We were watching the Alabama game at a friends house the other day and my wife made fun of me for my interest in history.The subject of the Civil War came about and I was shocked at how ignorant everyone seemed to be.I'm pro-Confederate but I had to object at some of the assertions that were being made.Long story short I came across as pro-Yankee somehow.I assured them I was pro-Confederate but not pro-Ignorant.They were drunk where as I was stone sober but I remember thinking that you,Cash,Shane,Neil, etch... would get a comical poster child for the stereo-typical dumb Confederate sympathizer if you had witnessed the conversation.Just wanted to share that.
Regards,
Ashley
To buy or not to buy; that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler ....
Can't answer that for you. I'm with Shane. $140 buys a lot of necesseties and fun stuff. I loved the production, but not that much. That money would buy two super 10" saw blades, mat material and really keen matting tools, 10 cases of beer, 4 tanks of gas for my truck (maybe 5 by now), enough oak to build a library table, a much better router, someone to mow my grass most of the summer a used .44 Remington repro, 7 books ....
"Long story short I came across as pro-Yankee somehow."
A great story. How did it feel to defend the other side? Must have been a hoot for your wife. With your bent to be rational, you see how frustrating it can be to deal with the irrational.
I value your opinion so I appreciate that.I guess I was thinking more along the lines of aesthetic pleasure rather than educational value.I love it when the history channel has the civil war on, but I generally don't learn much from it.With the music and the programming it does something to heighten my senses if that makes sense. So is it worth it from an enjoyment standpoint?
Regards,
Ashley
I can enjoy it as great entertainment, if nothing else. I bought a set 'used' for $62.50 thru Amazon.
__________________ -
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Ancestors in USA Army: 6th IA Inf, 11th IL Cav, 1st AL Cav; 122nd NY Inf; 6th MI Cav; 35th MA Inf; 100th IL Inf; 1st CO Inf/Cav; 22nd IN Inf
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OK I'm still writing down the date time and reason of agreement... Though I find that I am more likely to agree w/ you, SgtCSA, Alabaman and some other relatively new blood than many of the old hands... Less emotion and more relying on legit data & facts instead of Lost Cause websites.
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