Anyone watching/taping Ken Burns' "The War?"

[Archae]

I'm taping it right now.

[cobalt1999]

1. watching it now.

I've always respected Ken Burn's work.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. We've got our Tivo set to record it...

But I don't think we'll delay too long!

His work is always outstanding...

[Parche]

16. My Dear CaliforniaPeggy

As you are to poems, I am to History in the Pacific 1941-1945
It was a good part one, kind of graphic, but that is what I expected, but not
tasteless.
When they got to the Guadalcanal part, I could tell you almost every ship
that took part, which ones were sunk etc....that is why
I like to hear from people that experienced it, from watching this, I learned a few
more things, and for me that is good, after 'studying' this subject for more then 30years
from when I was a kid.
Not a lot of people know what happened in the Pacific, as they do from the European campaign,
with movies like 'Saving Private Ryan, and to my favorite 'Band of Brothers'




"Night comes too soon on the battlefield. For some men it comes permanently; their eyes never open to the light of day. But for this man, fighting this war, there is never total darkness. The spidery beams of light in the sky are the descendants of the modern laser beam—heat rays that sear through tungsten steel and flesh as though they were cheesecloth. And this soldier must go against those weapons. His name is Qarlo, and he is a footsoldier, the ultimate infantryman. Trained from birth by the State, he has never known love, or closeness, or warmth. He is geared for only one purpose: to kill the Enemy. And the Enemy waits for him..."

[BlueIris]

3. But, of course. It's going to be great.

[Bennyboy]

4. I got the DVR set to record it. N/T

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

5. I'm DVRing it now

We're watching "The Last of the Blonde Bombshells" on HBO right now.

[no name no slogan]

6. I am-- DON'T TELL ME HOW IT ENDS I WANT IT TO BE A SURPRISE

[Arugula Latte]

15. The French make a comeback and are the dominant superpower ...

The U.S. turns into a French-speaking utopia of high culture, fine cuisine, and universal healthcare. The downside? Jerry Lewis is worshipped as a god.

[femmocrat]

7. Yes, just watched it. Excellent!

And way more interesting than I anticipated.

[Reverend_Smitty]

8. It was great

I suspect Ken Burns could make a documentary on the history of soap making interesting. So far it's been about as good as any documentary I've ever seen on WWII, and I can't wait for the rest of the episodes. I especially liked the 4 town storyline approach

[elshiva]

9. We tried to watch it, but we could not stand it...

Yes, the individual stories were good. But, my family is tired of Nazi war photographs. It is personal since we are Jewish.

[pokerfan]

10. It's just starting here on the left coast

[Bombero1956]

11. watched it

saw a 14 minute segment at the end that mentions a couple of Hispanics who fought on Guadalcanal. I don't know if that will be the extent of additional material devoted to Hispanics or if more will be aired on other nights, we'll see.

[pokerfan]

12. Burns added appendices to three episodes

also recognizing native American contributions.

Hispanic-Americans weren't segregated from the general army because they were considered "white." There was an all Puerto Rican unit but Hispanic/Latino Americans served in all branches of the military.

Given Senator Inouye's involvement, I am looking forward to coverage of the Nisei 442nd RCT, the most highly decorated unit Army history. We really gave those poor bastards the shaft. While they served, their families languished in American concentration camps.

Land of the free, indeed.

[texas1928]

13. Watched it and thought it was very good.

Can't wait for today. It covers where my grandfather fought. North Africa.

[ChickMagic]

14. To this very day

I cover my eyes when they show soldiers at Camp O'Donnell and the Death March. I'm scared I'll see my dad. They talked about the maggots and other bugs in the rice and my dad threw that in my face every single time I didn't want to eat something. "I watched men die because they wouldn't eat rice!" Okay Daddy, but this is okra.

Once Mom made something she called shrimp creole and when she dumped parsley in it, she found out too late that it was infested with weevels. Dad scarfed it up anyway.

[cobalt1999]

17. I guess you have to cut the guy a little slack after surviving that.

My parents used the children starving in China routine which wasn't nearly as effective.

[ChickMagic]

18. Oh, I do

But when you're 6 that perspective has a way to go. :)

[1gobluedem]

19. Taping, haven't watched yet n/t

[lizziegrace]

20. Same here

Prior to the show airing, they had a Antiques Roadshow type of program with WWII veterans bringing in their medals and momentos from the war. Fascinating stories, every one of them.

:)

[Penndems]

21. Another outstanding, workmanlike masterpiece from Mr. Burns

We're looking forward to ordering both the DVD and the book after the series ends.

BTW, for anyone who lives in or is visiting the Washington, DC metro area this weekend . . .

WETA Channel 26, our PBS station (and Ken Burns' base of operations), in conjunction with The Friends of National World War II Memorial and Freedom Team, are paying tribute to World War II veterans at the WWII Memorial this Sunday, September 29th, at 5:30 p.m. There will be a commendation ceremony, as well as remarks from dignataries and a screening of segments from the film, "The War".

The event is free, and open to the public.