A question I think about is how many protesters would there have been if there was not a draft and it was an all volunteer army?
A lot less. You/your brother/your son being sent off by the govt against their will makes you question whether a war is worth it much more than if it's a voluntary endeavor.
Of course, an all volunteer army couldn't have fought that war at least not the way we did, not with the massive troop commitments we had elsewhere in world at that time. There's a reason there was a draft.
Has anyone read "Hue 1968" by Mark Bowden? I'm interested to see if you think it's as good as some of the reviews indicate. And how Burns deals with Tet will be a key factor in how good this series is.
Still photos with narration and background music, interspersed with interviews. There is such a wealth of footage of Vietnam that I hope for a bit more of a dynamic approach.
They were on Sam Harris's Waking Up podcast for an hour + interview. One of the really interesting things they talked about was how most of the footage they received - there was a lot and I think they said mostly from the networks - didn't include any sound. So they had to research and edit in much of what you hear in the film. They also talked about the soundtrack. The music from that era was absurdly good. Apparently The Beatles and Bob Dylan licensed their music at a substaintial discount which encouraged others to follow and provide music. Some bands that don't traditionally license their music - CSN&Y were mentioned - alllowed their music to be used. Eric and the mods here will be happy to know that Burns & Novik made it a point to avoid any polemic film making "we wanted to call balls and strikes", not taking any sides, says Burns during the interview.
If you're a fan of Burns and plan to watch the series the Sam Harris interview is linked below and worth a listen. Sam Harris podcast - ( New Window )
Still photos with narration and background music, interspersed with interviews. There is such a wealth of footage of Vietnam that I hope for a bit more of a dynamic approach.
Still photos with narration and background music, interspersed with interviews. There is such a wealth of footage of Vietnam that I hope for a bit more of a dynamic approach.
Also his approach has been to discuss some touchy issues but fold them into a larger "feel good" story. Nothing feel good about this one. Will be interesting to see how he handles it.
the definitive expert of whatever subject he worked on ( Civil War , Baseball)
I bet you he will portray the anti war radicals as heroic...which they were not.
I lived through that period, the escalation of troops, the Draft, Protests, the riots etc. so I will watch radical Kennys work with a keen eye!
the definitive expert of whatever subject he worked on ( Civil War , Baseball)
I bet you he will portray the anti war radicals as heroic...which they were not.
I lived through that period, the escalation of troops, the Draft, Protests, the riots etc. so I will watch radical Kennys work with a keen eye!
the definitive expert of whatever subject he worked on ( Civil War , Baseball)
I bet you he will portray the anti war radicals as heroic...which they were not.
I lived through that period, the escalation of troops, the Draft, Protests, the riots etc. so I will watch radical Kennys work with a keen eye!
It got a very positive review from George Will, so I doubt it is a political diatribe. And from the interviews I've seen it sounds like puts those who fought there in a positive light and laments their mistreatment when they returned home.
Well balanced as to a very difficult historical situation. Covered from the 1800s up to the early '60s only, but with flash-forwards to the late '60s and interviews with veterans. Looking forward to the next.
Difficult to pack that much background history in 1.5 hour prologue. Outstanding.
Something's were skimmed over but agree, considering the time constraints, it was well done.
For those interested in reading up more, suggest Embers of War: The Fall of an Empire and The Making of America's Vietnam by Fredrik Logevall. In depth but very readable. The book won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for History (if you care about things like that)
And French military incompetence at Dien Bien Phu.
The Dien Bien Phu part was amazing to me. I knew it was a defeat for the French but I didn't appreciate either the brilliance of the Viet Minh plan or the complete incompetence of the French military to get themselves boxed in like that. I mean, the French artillery commander committed suicide after a few days ... yikes!
And French military incompetence at Dien Bien Phu.
The Dien Bien Phu part was amazing to me. I knew it was a defeat for the French but I didn't appreciate either the brilliance of the Viet Minh plan or the complete incompetence of the French military to get themselves boxed in like that. I mean, the French artillery commander committed suicide after a few days ... yikes!
I didn't know these details either. The French seemed to think that the Viet Minh had no artillery and left themselves in an incredibly vulnerable position.
I should not have been surprised about French military incompetence, that's kind of like saying I'm surprised when John Jerry doesn't block his man effectively.
Nothing short of excellent. Shows, if you can remember the detail, just how deeply we stepped in the large colonial hole made there over so many years by the French -- and then repeated some of their biggest mistakes. (I do not mean this to be in any way a "political" comment.) I was three when the French were doing their thing there in 1944 -- and not aware of much about the whole thing until maybe 1961.
Nothing short of excellent. Shows, if you can remember the detail, just how deeply we stepped in the large colonial hole made there over so many years by the French -- and then repeated some of their biggest mistakes. (I do not mean this to be in any way a "political" comment.) I was three when the French were doing their thing there in 1944 -- and not aware of much about the whole thing until maybe 1961.
Actually, I think Ike did the opposite in the middle of the Cold War. IMHO the footprint was light. Providing supplies by CIA operatives in unmarked aircraft. That was inevitable given the Russians and Chinese were supplying the Viet Minh. Refusing to deploy US ground forces and military combat aircraft to support French forces. Advisors only after the French were gone and in very small numbers.
A lot less. You/your brother/your son being sent off by the govt against their will makes you question whether a war is worth it much more than if it's a voluntary endeavor.
Of course, an all volunteer army couldn't have fought that war at least not the way we did, not with the massive troop commitments we had elsewhere in world at that time. There's a reason there was a draft.
If you're a fan of Burns and plan to watch the series the Sam Harris interview is linked below and worth a listen.
Sam Harris podcast - ( New Window )
A Trent Reznor score should be a nice touch.
Also his approach has been to discuss some touchy issues but fold them into a larger "feel good" story. Nothing feel good about this one. Will be interesting to see how he handles it.
Spotify - ( New Window )
He is a documentarian not a Historian
Link - ( New Window )
He is a documentarian not a Historian
You don't have to spin much of anything anymore when it comes to this period.
He is a documentarian not a Historian
He doesn't claim to be anything other...
I bet you he will portray the anti war radicals as heroic...which they were not.
I lived through that period, the escalation of troops, the Draft, Protests, the riots etc. so I will watch radical Kennys work with a keen eye!
I bet you he will portray the anti war radicals as heroic...which they were not.
I lived through that period, the escalation of troops, the Draft, Protests, the riots etc. so I will watch radical Kennys work with a keen eye!
You sound objective.
I bet you he will portray the anti war radicals as heroic...which they were not.
I lived through that period, the escalation of troops, the Draft, Protests, the riots etc. so I will watch radical Kennys work with a keen eye!
It got a very positive review from George Will, so I doubt it is a political diatribe. And from the interviews I've seen it sounds like puts those who fought there in a positive light and laments their mistreatment when they returned home.
Role of Le Duan & hardliners
That Russia & China's support was waning.
How widespread skepticism of military option was.
some great quotes/interviews - e.g., "finishing school", "you're special"
Role of Le Duan & hardliners
That Russia & China's support was waning.
How widespread skepticism of military option was.
some great quotes/interviews - e.g., "finishing school", "you're special"
And French military incompetence at Dien Bien Phu.
Something's were skimmed over but agree, considering the time constraints, it was well done.
For those interested in reading up more, suggest Embers of War: The Fall of an Empire and The Making of America's Vietnam by Fredrik Logevall. In depth but very readable. The book won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for History (if you care about things like that)
...
And French military incompetence at Dien Bien Phu.
The Dien Bien Phu part was amazing to me. I knew it was a defeat for the French but I didn't appreciate either the brilliance of the Viet Minh plan or the complete incompetence of the French military to get themselves boxed in like that. I mean, the French artillery commander committed suicide after a few days ... yikes!
Quote:
Learned some important things.
...
And French military incompetence at Dien Bien Phu.
The Dien Bien Phu part was amazing to me. I knew it was a defeat for the French but I didn't appreciate either the brilliance of the Viet Minh plan or the complete incompetence of the French military to get themselves boxed in like that. I mean, the French artillery commander committed suicide after a few days ... yikes!
I didn't know these details either. The French seemed to think that the Viet Minh had no artillery and left themselves in an incredibly vulnerable position.
I should not have been surprised about French military incompetence, that's kind of like saying I'm surprised when John Jerry doesn't block his man effectively.
Actually, I think Ike did the opposite in the middle of the Cold War. IMHO the footprint was light. Providing supplies by CIA operatives in unmarked aircraft. That was inevitable given the Russians and Chinese were supplying the Viet Minh. Refusing to deploy US ground forces and military combat aircraft to support French forces. Advisors only after the French were gone and in very small numbers.