Watching "The American Revolution" in our fourth crisis

Ken Burns, known as America's storyteller, is on a mission to remind us of the complexities and nuances of our nation's history. His latest documentary series, "The American Revolution," delves into the messy and often contradictory nature of our country's founding. As Burns himself notes, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes." This concept - that while events may not recur exactly, their underlying themes and dynamics do - is at the heart of his work.

Burns' fascination with the American Revolution stems from its unique moment in time when human nature changed. Prior to this era, everyone was a subject, whereas only a select few became citizens. The revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, and democracy were born out of a desire for self-governance and freedom from tyranny. However, this shift also brought with it new challenges and divisions.

The documentary series features the voices of numerous individuals who witnessed America's birth, including Enlightenment philosophers, ordinary colonists, Indigenous leaders, African Americans, and former slaves. Their words provide a nuanced perspective on the complexities of the Revolution, highlighting the hypocrisy and contradictions that defined this pivotal moment in American history.

One of the most striking aspects of the documentary is its scope. Burns' work has always been characterized by its broad appeal and accessibility, but "The American Revolution" pushes the boundaries even further. With performances from an impressive array of actors, including Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, and Morgan Freeman, this series brings to life a rich tapestry of voices and experiences that were previously marginalized or overlooked.

Burns' own narrative voice is as engaging as ever, imbuing each episode with a sense of gravitas and solemnity. When discussing the challenges facing America today, Burns notes that while we may be living through our fourth great crisis, this is not a new phenomenon. History has shown us time and again that we are always on the brink of something, whether it's a civil war, economic depression, or global conflict.

Despite its sobering themes, "The American Revolution" feels uncannily relevant in today's world. Burns' commitment to storytelling and his refusal to sanitize history make this series a vital contribution to our national conversation. As we approach the 250th anniversary of America's founding, it is more important than ever that we remember the complexities and contradictions of our nation's past.

Burns' dedication to his craft is evident in every episode, which is meticulously researched and presented with clear vision. His work reminds us that history is not just a series of dates and events but a living, breathing narrative that continues to shape our present and future. As he notes, "There are no edges... But I can't think of a period that's free of some sort of overwhelming division." Indeed, Burns' series offers a powerful reminder that the struggles we face today may be familiar, but they are by no means inevitable.

"The American Revolution" premieres on PBS member stations in November, offering six consecutive nights of compelling storytelling and a nuanced exploration of America's founding.

I'm watching this documentary series and it's got me thinking about how our past is always coming back to haunt us, but not literally, you know? It's like Burns says, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes". We can learn from the struggles of our ancestors, but we also have to acknowledge that every moment in history is unique. I'm reminded of this episode where they feature Indigenous leaders and former slaves... it's heartbreaking to see how much pain and struggle they went through for a country that wasn't always just or equal.

But what really struck me was the way Burns weaves all these different voices together - Enlightenment philosophers, ordinary colonists, African Americans, and former slaves. It's like he's saying, "Hey, don't forget about everyone who wasn't at the table when America was being born". We need to hear more stories from marginalized communities if we're going to make progress.

And I love how Burns says history is a living narrative that continues to shape our present and future. That's so true! We can't just learn from the past and leave it there. We have to keep pushing ourselves to create a better world, even when it feels like we're taking two steps forward and one step back.

I just watched the trailer for this documentary series and I'm literally shaking with emotion ... it's like Burns is speaking straight to my soul, you know? The way he weaves together these different stories and perspectives is just incredible ... it feels like history is coming alive in front of me. And what really gets me is how relevant this all feels today ... like, I'm seeing these same struggles and divisions playing out on the news and social media. It's crazy to think that we're still grappling with the same fundamental questions about freedom, equality, and democracy that our founding fathers fought for 250 years ago ... but at the same time, I have hope because this documentary series is a powerful reminder that our history is not just some dusty old relic, but a living, breathing narrative that can shape our future.

I'm so hyped for this new docu series Ken Burns is literally the master of making history feel alive and not just some dry old facts. He's got this amazing ability to weave together all these different perspectives and make you realize that even though we think we're on one side, there's always someone else who's like "hold up, didn't you know about that?" It's so relevant right now too, I mean we're literally living through our own revolution or whatever you want to call it. The casting is insane btw, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep are in it? What a dream come true Can't wait for it to drop!

I mean, who doesn't love a good historical drama with A-list actors ? But seriously, Ken Burns is like the patron saint of history buffs - always digging up dirt on the good ol' US of A . I'm excited to see how his latest series tackles the messy stuff we don't usually talk about in school history class . Can't wait to see if it's as engaging as, say, a 12-hour marathon of Netflix shows . And hey, at least he's trying to remind us that our founding fathers were kinda flawed, so maybe we can learn something from their mistakes ?

I'm really curious about this docu series by Ken Burns... like, what makes him wanna explore the American Revolution again? isn't he already done that kind of thing before? how does he think the struggles we face today are connected to the past? did he have any specific inspirations for making it feel relevant now? is this gonna be a super long watch, like 6 nights straight? do you guys think his team chose all these different people to talk about because they're not just historical figures but also kinda regular folks too?

I'm so down for Ken Burns' new docu series, "The American Revolution". It's like he's saying we're doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over because we just can't help ourselves. The way he weaves together all these different voices and perspectives is really something special. It feels like history is alive and kicking right in front of us . Burns has this way of making you feel like you're right there with him, experiencing it all firsthand. I love how he tackles the tough stuff too, no sugarcoating or glossing over anything. Just a raw, honest look at what went down. It's gonna be so interesting to see how the general public reacts to it

I'm loving this docu series - it's like Ken Burns is trying to make us feel the weight of our nation's history ... or maybe that's just me getting all nostalgic about the good ol' days . But for real, I think what's interesting is how "The American Revolution" is tackling some pretty heavy stuff - like, we know America wasn't always a utopia, but it's dope to see the complexities and contradictions of our founding era laid out on screen .

And can we talk about the casting? Tom Hanks as Benjamin Franklin? Meryl Streep as Abigail Adams? Morgan Freeman as George Washington? It's like they're trying to make history cool again ... even if Burns is keeping it real about how messy and imperfect America was back then .

Anyway, I'm all about this docu series - it's giving me some serious 'what if' vibes . What if we could've done things differently? What if our founding ideals were more inclusive? It's making me think about what kind of nation we want to be today ... and maybe, just maybe, it'll inspire us to make a change

Did you see the trailer for "The American Revolution" docu-series? It looks so epic! I mean, who wouldn't want to watch Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep bring historical figures to life? But what really caught my attention was the stats on how many people were involved in the Revolutionary War. Like, did you know that over 100,000 colonists fought against the British? That's insane! And it's crazy to think about how this war shaped our country into what it is today.

Also, have you heard about the diversity of voices featured in this series? I mean, we're talking Indigenous leaders, African Americans, and former slaves. It's a game-changer for representation and accuracy in historical storytelling. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, only 22% of Americans know that the Revolutionary War was fought between the British and American colonists, not just between the British and the Native Americans.

Here's a fun fact: did you know that the term "American" didn't even exist until after the Revolution? It was actually "British America" or "English America" back then! Anyway, I'm hyped for this docu-series and can't wait to dive in. Who else is excited to learn more about our nation's founding?

Here are some stats to get you pumped:

* 6 episodes, premiering on PBS member stations in November
* 100+ years of research went into creating the series
* Over 100 historical figures are featured in the docu-series
* The Revolutionary War saw over 100,000 casualties
* Only 22% of Americans know that Native Americans fought against the British too!

Let's get ready to learn about America's complex history and why it still matters today!

I'm totally fascinated by this docu series on The American Revolution ! I mean, Ken Burns is a master storyteller and he's really getting to the heart of what made America tick (or not tick ) back in the day. I love how he weaves together so many different voices and perspectives - it's like you're right there with the Founding Fathers, Native Americans, and regular folks who were caught up in the whole revolution thing .

It's crazy to think about how much has changed (and not changed?) over time . I mean, we still struggle with the same issues today - inequality, injustice, freedom from tyranny... it's all still relevant . Burns is right, history doesn't repeat itself exactly, but its themes and dynamics do come back around in some form or another .

And can we talk about how epic it is to see these incredible actors bring the past to life? Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman... it's like a dream cast ! And Burns' own narration is so engaging - he has this way of making history feel both serious and intimate at the same time .

Anyway, I'm definitely going to be watching this docu series when it comes out . It sounds like a game-changer for our national conversation .

I'm still nostalgic for my old CRT TV days when Ken Burns' documentaries were all about the history lessons . I remember watching "The Civil War" series back in 1990 and being blown away by his storytelling skills . Fast forward to today, and it's amazing how he's still got it – his latest docu-series on the American Revolution is like a breath of fresh air . He's not afraid to get into the nitty-gritty of history, pointing out all the contradictions and complexities that make us human . I love how he weaves together different perspectives from ordinary people and historical figures – it's like you're right there with him on the battlefield . And let me tell you, the performances in this series? Top-notch! Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman – what's not to love? It's a must-watch for anyone interested in history, and I'm so glad PBS is premiering it nationwide. Can't wait to dive in and see how it shapes our understanding of America's founding .

I think its pretty cool that Ken Burns is trying to remind us about the complexities of America's history . It's like he's saying, yeah we know the good stuff about our country like freedom and democracy, but what about all the messy parts? The part where Native Americans were treated horribly, or African Americans were enslaved... it's like, we're always trying to learn from our mistakes, you know? And I love that the documentary series features so many different voices and perspectives, it's like a big ol' tapestry of America . Burns is right, history doesn't repeat itself but it rhymes, and this series shows us that. It's like, we're always on the brink of something new, but also carrying around these old wounds from our past... anyway, I'm super excited to check out the documentary series when it premieres!

It's about time someone made history feel like, you know, actually living breathing stuff. Like, we've all been fed the same old patriotic narrative for so long, it's been nice to see some nuance thrown in . Burns is a total legend, btw - his work is always so thorough and well-researched. I'm kinda surprised he's tackling this topic now, what with everything else going on . But honestly, I think we all need a reminder that our history isn't just a pretty story to be told over campfires . It's messy, it's complicated, and sometimes it's downright uncomfortable .

I think its kinda crazy how historians and documentarians can make old history feel so relevant to our lives today I mean, Ken Burns is like the master of telling stories that make you wanna pay attention The way he weaves together all these different voices and perspectives from back then is like a puzzle that makes you go "wow, I had no idea". And yeah, it's wild how some things just keep repeating themselves in history . Burns is always saying that history rhymes with each other, not repeats itself exactly, but still... it's like we're stuck in this cycle of challenges and divisions. But I guess thats what makes it so important to study the past and learn from our mistakes .

I'm watching this Ken Burns documentary series and it's like he's saying we've been here before... the struggles, the divisions, the ideals that sounded good but didn't always live up to 'em. It's crazy how relevant this stuff is even though it was over 200 years ago . The way they brought in all these different voices and perspectives is like, wow! I mean, I'm watching Tom Hanks as George Washington and Meryl Streep as Abigail Adams... it's surreal . But what really got me was how Burns said we're always on the brink of something new, whether it's a war or a depression or whatever. Like, yeah, we've been there before, but that doesn't mean it can't happen again... or that we should be surprised if it does . Anyway, I'm hooked on this series... it's like my grandpa used to say: "History is what repeats itself, just with different faces."

I'm loving Ken Burns' new docu series about the American Revolution - it's like he's digging up all these hidden gems from history ️! The way he weaves together so many different perspectives is pure genius , from the Enlightenment thinkers to the everyday colonists and even Indigenous leaders . And can you believe the acting talent on display? Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman... it's like a who's who of Hollywood legends! But what really gets me is how Burns tackles the complexities and contradictions of history without sanitizing or sugarcoating anything . It's like he's saying, "Hey, we're still dealing with these issues today, folks!" And that quote about history rhyming with itself? Mind blown! Anyway, can't wait to dive in and see what Burns has cooked up for us this time around

I think what really stands out to me about this documentary series is how Burns tackles the complexities of our nation's history without making it feel too heavy or overwhelming. Like, he brings in these incredible actors to represent the voices of people from different walks of life and experiences - Indigenous leaders, African Americans, former slaves... it's so important that we're hearing their stories.

And I love what he says about how history doesn't repeat itself, but rhymes, because it's like, yeah, we've been here before, but this time there are new challenges and divisions. It feels really timely, you know? Like, Burns is reminding us that we can learn from our mistakes and that our past experiences can shape our present.

The fact that he's pushing the boundaries of what a documentary series can be, by featuring so many different voices and stories, is just incredible. I mean, who gets to play themselves in a historical drama? It feels like Burns is really trying to make history feel more human again, you know?

Anyway, I'm super excited for this series to premiere on PBS and I think it's going to be a real game-changer for our national conversation about America's founding.

I'm loving this docu-series already! Ken Burns is the real deal, you know? The way he weaves these historical events together with all these incredible voices from back then... it's like you're right there in the room with 'em . And yeah, it's crazy how relevant this stuff feels today. Like, don't even get me started on the hypocrisy and divisions that still exist today . Burns' gotta keep telling our history truthfully, you feel? No sugarcoating or revisionism here!