The History channel's documentary mini-series "America: The Story of Us." In my never- to- be- humble hobby historian, visual learner, movie buff opinion, it was darn good. The program airs Sunday nights through Memorial Day at 8pm CST. Aside from the pop-culture commentators, the retelling of what happened as this nation grew up is excellent. History in the round, not just from the top, down. And not just from the bottom, up either. The stats were interesting that are peppered throughout the narrative. Did you know that a New England Puritan family in the late 1600's and early 1700's had an average of eight children and they were twice as likely to survive to adulthood than their English counterparts back in England? Fascinating. And that 10% of American citizens today can trace their family back to a couple from the Mayflower who had 5 children after both their previous spouses had died soon after the Mayflower landed? And that more American rebels died in the British prison ships of small pox than fighting in battle? The first episode got us through the revolution--next week is Manifest Destiny stuff. Can't wait!!
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