Now that the storm of the election and elation of the inauguration have passed, it feels like time to start this broadcast again.
It feels like I've gotten my country back, and I find myself wanting to get to know Her again. Yeah, I could re-read The Federalist Papers, but why do that when I can soak up all that bright, shiny history TV has to offer? Specifically, "The Presidents" on the History Channel, and "The American Future: A History" on BBC America. The former is a crossword lover's dream, a concise, whirlwind tour of the 43 men that have taken on what is very often the Worst Job in the World. The NY Times better watch out - soon I'll be doing Saturday in PEN.
The American Future is a fascinating look at the 2008 election, and its place in American history, through the eyes of a British historian(who, admittedly, teaches at Columbia). It's like sitting in a room while everyone talks about you as if you're not there. While it treads on familiar ground (the Civil War, immigration, etc.), it's interesting to hear the conclusions a non-native reaches when presented with the same facts we all learned in school.
If that's all too lofty, the Web is rife with adoring Obama-porn and LOL cats.
I hereby declare this country groovy.
It feels like I've gotten my country back, and I find myself wanting to get to know Her again. Yeah, I could re-read The Federalist Papers, but why do that when I can soak up all that bright, shiny history TV has to offer? Specifically, "The Presidents" on the History Channel, and "The American Future: A History" on BBC America. The former is a crossword lover's dream, a concise, whirlwind tour of the 43 men that have taken on what is very often the Worst Job in the World. The NY Times better watch out - soon I'll be doing Saturday in PEN.
The American Future is a fascinating look at the 2008 election, and its place in American history, through the eyes of a British historian(who, admittedly, teaches at Columbia). It's like sitting in a room while everyone talks about you as if you're not there. While it treads on familiar ground (the Civil War, immigration, etc.), it's interesting to hear the conclusions a non-native reaches when presented with the same facts we all learned in school.
If that's all too lofty, the Web is rife with adoring Obama-porn and LOL cats.
I hereby declare this country groovy.
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