Very good, informative, enjoyable.

I have enjoyed it. Just learned there was a full blooded American Indian General on Grant's staff.

I am watching the end of episode 3 now. The series is absolutely outstanding. The ending also explains how Southern sympathizers managed to re-write the narrative of the war, suggesting it was really all about "states rights." Bullshit. It was about slavery.

I have enjoyed it so far. My take on the campaign to take Vicksburg was that of a badly handled siege. The operations after the river crossing changed my opinion of Grant at Vicksburg.

quote:

Originally posted by Fed161:
I am watching the end of episode 3 now. The series is absolutely outstanding. The ending also explains how Southern sympathizers managed to re-write the narrative of the war, suggesting it was really all about "states rights." Bullshit. It was about slavery.

To this point, if you read his autobiography, even Grant says they will attempt to rewrite history and make this about states rights, but it was all about slavery. I tend to believe the guy who was there, and fighting in the war, right in his own memoirs over someone 100 years later

quote:

Originally posted by BigCity:
Just learned there was a full blooded American Indian General on Grant's staff.

Yeah, there was no chance whatsoever that they could let that little factoid slide by.

I've been watching it and have enjoyed it for the most part. I've always been fascinated with the guy.

Thought it was a great series. Provided fresh insights and perspectives into the man and made me much more aware of and appreciative of his contributions. Most of the numerous historical and military analysts on the series seem to agree he was a strategic and tactical military genius, several saying the very best in the war on both sides. His reputation has been sullied by adjectives, some perhaps deserved and some not. I was not aware of the hardships he experienced that shaped his life. Overall, an entirely different take on the man as soldier, President, and family man.

quote:

Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:

quote:

Originally posted by Fed161:
I am watching the end of episode 3 now. The series is absolutely outstanding. The ending also explains how Southern sympathizers managed to re-write the narrative of the war, suggesting it was really all about "states rights." Bullshit. It was about slavery.

To this point, if you read his autobiography, even Grant says they will attempt to rewrite history and make this about states rights, but it was all about slavery. I tend to believe the guy who was there, and fighting in the war, right in his own memoirs over someone 100 years later

+1. I also read his autobiography. A great read. He was there and he knows!

I thought it was great. A good history lesson on someone I didn't really know a lot about.

I really enjoyed the series and now understand how a man that proved to be such a great leader in war and peace, was denied the recognition he so deserved. What better General for Lincoln during the war and what better president to carry on the dream of reconstruction that Lincoln was denied?

Such a difference between a man like Grant, that truly rose to his positions from the "bottom" on his own will and merit, and our current crop of politicians.

FWIW, I'm kinda fascinated by one angle of this story in particular - portraying Grant as a man who's used to the idea that things will go very wrong some times but who has to deal with Lincoln's need to use political popularity in order to maintain a unified effort to win the war. I kinda catch it when I can, so some of you may have already seen this addressed, but I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when what's-his-name, McClellan, runs against Lincoln for the Presidency.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by BigCity:
Just learned there was a full blooded American Indian General on Grant's staff.

Yeah, there was no chance whatsoever that they could let that little factoid slide by.

They kinda cheated both sides. Telling you that one general was an Indian ticks a PC box but doesn't tell you much. The other side to it is that the role of the Cherokee in the Civil War makes for a complex and very interesting story - and this doesn't tell you anything about that either.

I enjoyed the series. Learned some things about Grant I did not know. However, it reminded me that the Victors are the ones that write the history books.. I am aware that Chrenow gave his blessing to this series, and to my knowledge is a credible historian.

Living history is different than reading about it.

The wife and I watched and totally enjoyed it. We were speaking of going back to Gettysburg now that the boys are older and no baby sitting duties, so we can fully take it in. Grant was an impressive and stoic leader!
sigguy (the 1st)