I've been watching my Ken Burns' "Civil War" DVDs again this week.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

Possibly the best thing EVER to have been on TV.

Between the voice acting, music, guest historians, photos, and stories of "common people" (soldiers, slaves etc.) interspersed with the letters and words of the political leaders and generals, it's sublime.

Morgan Freeman. Jason Robards. Jeremy Irons. How can you top this? :shrug:

[SeattleGirl]

1. That is a phenomenal series.

I'd love to have the DVD set.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Those were so damned good!

I can hear the music as we speak.......

And the letter that was written for one soldier's wife........ :cry:

That series topped anything I've ever seen........

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

4. I take it you mean this one, from Sullivan Ballou before he was killed at Bull Run:

Historical Document: Sullivan Ballou Letter

July 14, 1861
Camp Clark, Washington

My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more . . .

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt . . .

Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them for so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness . . .

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again . . .

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Oh yes, that is the one indeed........

Just to read it makes my eyes tear up.......

Some of the most beautiful and moving words ever written......

Thank you for posting this......:hug:

[lizziegrace]

10. I've had a copy letter printed out for years

It's a beautiful tribute to both Sarah and Sullivan.

One my relatives has some time in that series. General Dan Sickles. He had dinner with President Lincoln and his wife and managed to offend the president. :eyes: Imagine that. Sickles was an arrogant SOB.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

11. I wonder if it's possible for Gen. McLellan to have been as big of a twit as he is

portrayed, through voice acting, in the film.

I suppose that since he is being represented with his own words, he must have been, LOL.

[elocs]

15. Oh God, that brings me to tears everytime.

The story and the music and this was written by a common man. I wonder how many today could even write anything half as moving?

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

16. I think the ONE thing that jumps out the MOST is how the average person in the 1860's,

including slaves and others with presumably little or no education, was about a billion times more eloquent and had superior command of the English language than the average college educated American now.

Pretty sad.

[catmandu57]

12. So do I

It's off to my player now to hear Ashokan Farewell.

[Zomby Woof]

3. Just for Shelby Foote

Hell, the whole thing could have been an 11-hour interview with Foote and it would have been as great. :thumbsup:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

9. Shelby Foote would probably be one of the coolest dinner guests ever.

I can just imagine hearing some of these stories from him over coffe and dessert, or some brandy.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

6. I have his Jazz series on DVD.

Still haven't watched the whole thing. :blush:

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

7. You can't...

ITA MM, it was sublime.

It was also the last series on PBS that I had the privilege of watching along with my Dad. He died on February 6, 1991.

He made me tape every episode of it. I still have the tapes of course, but I'd love the DVD set.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

8. Wow that would be a great memory, watching a series like this with

your Dad. So much to talk about. I'm sure this is a great memory for you.

This history and war are the most fascinating history of all to me, and still would be if it had happened in some other country.

[Radical Activist]

13. It certainly changed the standard for documentary films.

It expanded the audience for them as well, like nothing else until Michael Moore came along.

[zonkers]

14. And upon your re-viewing, what historical lessons leaped out -- that would be of value to

our leaders, right now.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

18. My respect for Lincoln grows every time I contemplate this period.

He had a whole slew of difficult, complex moral, political, and military choices to make.

Treacherous choices.

He agonized over those choices and somehow navigated those treacherous waters.

He didn't pretend that those choices were easy and required no introspection like the current pretender.

He changed course and changed his mind when needed. He didn't stick with a bad decision indefinitely, to prove his steadfastness.

He cycled through a series of ineffective Union generals before he arrived at Grant.

He agonized over the decision about the Emancipation Proclamation, ultimately making the right choice, if late.

There are a lot of other things... but Lincoln's whole life and presidency has so many lessons within it.

It is also interesting how much failure there was in the lives of people like Grant before arriving at their true calling.

My perception is that the Union could easily have lost the Civil War. Not because the South was anywhere near strong enough to defeat the North, but because scenarios could easily have arisen where the South offered enough resistance, for long enough, to exceed the will of Northerners to absorb endless losses, and especially if things had gone far enough for the European powers to intervene, mediate, and recognize the Confederacy. I think they were not too far away from those endpoints at various times. Perhaps a few more big victories by Lee would have achieved this.

[barb162]

17. that was a terrific series

[TheBaldyMan]

19. you may appreciate this midterm special

The War of the Words is a spoof of RW bloggers

http://www.thewarofthewords.net/

you may recognise the style.