This is a six hour program that starts out with such abrasive things like the stamp act of 1765. It covers well known events and some not so well known events. This presentation takes you beyond high school romantic history with heroes and heroic deeds that rival the Iliad. We can see some of the underlying motives and accidents that brought about our revolution. We are carried to the very edge of the creation of the Declaration of independents, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The film is presented by major historians (I have to admit I never saw one or two of them before) but I do have a copy of "The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States" with an Introduction by Pauline Maier and it was interesting to see her as a presenter in this series. There are great deals of actors that quote actual letters and statements from historical figures; it almost becomes a game on the side trying to guess where you saw the actor before.
We get maps and diagrams to help follow the action. But it is the actual view of the country side that can be so beautiful that it can take your breath away.
There is a companion book to this presentation and it goes into more depth. However I do not think the book could do the justice or hold the attention that this 6 part series can,
One of the bonus items on the DVD is:
"Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier"
Music Traditional
Arranged by James Taylor and Mark O'Connor
Produced by Mark O'Connor
Performed by Mark O'Connor (violin), James Taylor (vocals, guitar), John Jarvis (keyboards),
Russ Barenberg (guitar), John Mock
(pennywhistle, low whistle), Glenn Worf (bass) and Eddie Bayers (percussion)
The Reluctant Revolutionaries: 1763-1774
Blows Must Decide: 1774-1776
The Times That Try Men's Souls: 1776-1777
Oh, Fatal Ambition: 1777-1778
The World Turned Upside Down: 1778-1783
Are We to Be a Nation? 1783-1788
The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution of the United States (Bantam Classic)
