Assume the Position - Stories That Made Up America

by **OAKS** on Wed Nov 07, 2007 4:28 pm

And Stories That America Made Up - pretty fun stuff.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 0245618218

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by **Zeuslax** on Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:05 am

I remember watching that on HBO......it is pretty funny stuff. Last night I just finished reading a pretty in depth book on the Revolutionary War. This was prompted by a vacation to Boston. It really unbelievable to read how many things are just BS about that period.

by **Campbell** on Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:38 am

Zeuslax wrote:I remember watching that on HBO......it is pretty funny stuff. Last night I just finished reading a pretty in depth book on the Revolutionary War. This was prompted by a vacation to Boston. It really unbelievable to read how many things are just BS about that period.

Just keep in mind that not all books have the best information either. TV shows about history or archeology are notoriously bad for fitting the truth into what they think makes for better TV.

by **Zeuslax** on Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:41 am

Just keep in mind that not all books have the best information either. TV shows about history or archeology are notoriously bad for fitting the truth into what they think makes for better TV.

You are 100% correct. I would have to think since this one was recommended by the National Parks service it's the best I'm going to get. Next on the list is Wood's A History of the Revolutionary War. I'm expecting some tidbits to be a little off.

by **grinderpete** on Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:25 pm

Zeuslax wrote:
Just keep in mind that not all books have the best information either. TV shows about history or archeology are notoriously bad for fitting the truth into what they think makes for better TV.

You are 100% correct. I would have to think since this one was recommended by the National Parks service it's the best I'm going to get. Next on the list is Wood's A History of the Revolutionary War. I'm expecting some tidbits to be a little off.

Woods is my favorite author on the Revolution. Make sure to read "The American Revolution." A small easy read from Woods that has some great insight into the politics of the revolution.

Right now my favorite book on the war is Higginbotham's "The War of American Independence." It is really dry, but offers some incredible insight into the actual war.

by **KnoxVegas** on Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:51 pm

Just remember that the brave men at the Alamo that day in 1836 were fighting to be Texans, not Americans.

If you are a proud Texan, remember to thank a Tennessean!

by **Zeuslax** on Thu Nov 08, 2007 3:18 pm

If you are a proud Texan, remember to thank a Tennessean!

Knox, you're always looking for the Tennessee angle aren't you! :lol:

Woods is my favorite author on the Revolution. Make sure to read "The American Revolution." A small easy read from Woods that has some great insight into the politics of the revolution.

Right now my favorite book on the war is Higginbotham's "The War of American Independence." It is really dry, but offers some incredible insight into the actual war.

Have you seen Good Will Hunting? Will mentions Wood when he's bashing Robin Williams character for having all of the books in his office.

I'll definitely check out your recommendation. After my trip to Boston I've become really interested in the period. There are so many parallels to what's happening today - especially with the handling of Iraq.

by **KnoxVegas** on Thu Nov 08, 2007 10:56 pm

Not necessarily an angle but that to me is one of the greatest falisies that are foisted upon American students. "Remember the Alamo" is like yelling "Remember Sardowa/St. Petersburg/Waterloo!" They were not fighting to be Americans. They were expatriate Americans fighting for a foreign nation. (This is for Sonny) One could argue that John Walker Lindh was doing the same. Or that the American-born German fighters in WWII were doing the same. All I am saying is love it or leave it!

I invite everyone to read the books of James W. Loewen . Lies My Teacher Told Me is a must read for anyone in this country.

http://www.uvm.edu/~jloewen

by **Zeuslax** on Fri Nov 09, 2007 11:50 am

Gingerpete wrote:

Woods is my favorite author on the Revolution. Make sure to read "The American Revolution." A small easy read from Woods that has some great insight into the politics of the revolution.

Looks like we were talking about the same Woods book. Started it last night.