So much average

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Blistering performances.

The shortcomings of this well-produced, twelve-part series lie primarily in the selection of commentators. It was not clear why celebrities were selected over scholars, but the choice came back to bite the filmmakers. Martha Stewart, Brian Williams, Tom Brokaw, and David Petraeus have all had their careers besmirched since the series was released. The main point is that they did not provide stellar insights into U.S. history. And neither did Michael Douglas or Meryl Streep!The major strength of the episodes were the dynamic use of computer graphic images. Such technological achievements as the building of the Erie Canal, skyscrapers like New York's Flatiron Building, and the construction of Hoover Dam were brilliantly recreated. The best programs were those of the early history of the nation, leading up to the Civil War. But after 1860s, the events were telescoped into superficial capsules. A glaring omission was the progressive movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The closing segments focused far too much on scientific and cultural history (suburbia, computer revolution, NASA) at the expense of social and political events. For viewers who enjoyed these programs, there is a beautifully written book by Kevin Brown that is a companion to the series. The twelve-chapter book dovetails closely with the episodes and offers more detailed coverage of the topics. This series is briskly paced and dynamically narrated by Liev Schreiber. While it may be slanted in the area of "feel good" propaganda, it nonetheless covers the basics of American history. One of the most interesting touches was the occasional commentary from Donald J. Trump, which was delivered at a time when he did not have presidential aspirations. One of his most interesting points was that to succeed in America takes not merely perseverance, but also brains-an assertion that is borne out in the coverage of the great entrepreneurs covered in the series.

First, there are no factual errors. You can check this stuff in a text book. But the 1849 gold is in the provocative interpretation and connections this series makes! History is two things: facts (black and white, easy to check), and then on top of this, the story and interpretation of a national experience. That's awesome and wholly subjective! (Has the question of what caused the Civil War ever been resolved? I think not! Never will be!!! :-) ). And why not hear from the chords of Sheryl Crow and Michael Douglas? Would Professor Such-and-such from Unknown University be any better? (Although there is plenty of input from the likes of David Baldacci, Henry Louis Gates/Harvard Emeritus, and Colin Powell). My family, we know the facts. This series took us to the next level of discussion and lively debate.

The beginning was actually quite promising. Unfortunately by the 5th episode I started wondering why I am wasting my time. Inaccurate, incredibly chaotic, choice of events that shape the nation and the country is at least stunning. Important events are omitted, completely useless events are presented as crucial for the history. All wrapped in a tale that a mom reads to her 4yo child to make him sleep. As somebody said - sesame street history.I am disappointed. It's supposed to be targeted to young American kids but seriously I wouldn't want my kid to learn from such shows, it might be not that bad for foreigners for whom the real history of the US is not that important. It has very low educational value and not much higher entertaining value. Long story short - if you have nothing better to do then go ahead, watch it but bear in mind that it's not as much the exact history as the grandpa's tale for kids.

Why have commentary from actors, mayors and former mayors? Why not use actual historians even if they have conflicting views? There are no sources cited, only opinion and the constant referring to the Continental Army as a 'band of rebels' reduces the importance of the Continentals to being just blithering rabble-rousers. Paul Revere was a political extremist?... as were John Adam, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin. Really? Far too much Progressive propaganda in this waste of film for my tastes, especially when the claims made by this series are so easily refuted by reputable sources that go well beyond the dubious opinions presented as fact.This series is a vast waste of time. Try John Adams (the series) or even the fantastic and epic The Patriot (Mel Gibson) as they deal with more fact than the ridiculous show reviewed here in.