Men Who Built America-History Channel

[Fleetwin]

Anybody watching this series?

Being a history buff, I have found it quite informative. Even Mrs. Fleetwin is enjoying it.

It is interesting to follow the ups and downs of the early industrial icons that we all know the names of; Carnegie, Edison, Morgan, Rockefeller, etc.

So far, I have found it to be quite factual even to someone that has actually studied those moguls of industry. There are some later media generated myths that get some holes poked in them. Some of these people were not what they were jacked up to be. Some are far better, some are far worse.

It's a worthwhile watch. If you have a DVR, record the series. There are a lot of ads and the stories repeat a lot of material.

Enjoy!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

It is facinating to watch...it's a bit of a stretch on interpentaion on there motive's but overall dam good stuff. Makes one wonder where this country would be today without them.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

I've really enjoyed watching it...Biltmore Estate(Vanderbilt) is just an hour from here and it's just very interesting to see how those guys built their fortunes!....railroads, steamships, steel, oil,etc....

 

[bigdee]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

It is facinating to watch...it's a bit of a stretch on interpentaion on there motive's but overall dam good stuff. Makes one wonder where this country would be today without them.

Since we have to hold back on political views I have to bite my pen tongue. With that being said,what a wonderful example of capitalism and entrepreneurship.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

Enjoy it very much.... Me and my 15 yr old daughter are watchen it.. Hate to see it end on Sunday. Would like to see them continue the series up to 2010.

We have watched this along with... Gold Rush, American Pickers, Storage Wars, American Restoration, Moonshiners, Duck Dynasty Ect.... And my favorite - The Walking Dead!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

Don't forget Swamp People!....that's my favorite since it involves boats, swamps, alligators!...still trying to convince my wife that we need to get into the alligator hunting business!.....

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

Since we have to hold back on political views I have to bite my pen tongue. With that being said,what a wonderful example of capitalism and entrepreneurship.

I don't think it's political at all. But if facts are political, we're all in a real mess.

That's the issue with history, it got politicized.

Digging deep into REAL history, you'll see that real facts just about stopped after WWII. Just about the time the electric media(s) got involved. Hence, "the sound bite". At least the papers printed a whole story, not 30 seconds of it. Any post WWII history really has to be studied to get the real facts.

As stated, the program is pretty much spot on with some flair thrown in. But, the facts are there for the discerning viewer.

The background scenery is spot on also. Those factories were dumps.
And, there are NO trees. Someone finally looked at some old pic's and got it right.

Again, not getting political but we have more "green space" today-by far-than we had 100 years ago. The USA is a World leader in green technology-needed or not. Our competition doesn't think that way.

The "icons" of old took on weaknesses, in their competition, to win dominance. Our competitor nations know that and are are "Capitlizing". To our downfall. We should know (but ignore), we educated all of them.

Let me recommend a book: Post War-A History of Europe Since 1945. Author. Tony Judt. Fascinating!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

These furtunes were built during a "rough and tumble, wild west, no holds barred" time in America.....and I'm sure there were a lot of folks and the environment that suffered for it....but those were just the times!....nothin' political about it...

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

Series very political think about standard oil

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

Don't forget Swamp People!....that's my favorite since it involves boats, swamps, alligators!...still trying to convince my wife that we need to get into the alligator hunting business!.....

Let's not go there-please.

While I love the show and their initiative, Louisiana is a toilet of bad politics and greed. Truly, I love the show. Those folks have some real drive. Missing for most folks today.

Having actually lived there, I saw it first hand.

It is the only state, that I know of, in the USA, that uses the Napoleonic Code as the basis for law. It is uncomprehensable to anyone else in the civilized world.

But, that's Louisiana. God Bless them.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

How is Standard Oil more political than the NEA (National Education Association)? The biggest union in the USA?

We're at the edge here folks.

Let's just comment on the show. OK?

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

I haven't seen this program but is sounds pretty interesting....as far as U.S history goes. Is there a good bit on Henry Ford?...he was certainly an industrial icon in the 20th century...maybe the industrial icon.
I think I saw or read something about it stating it was a bit of a crapshoot whether it was he (Henry Ford) or Bill Gates who had really reset the bar over the last century in terms of the impact that was made on common society as a result of their work.
I'll have to check out Youtube and see if there is something on it about this show.
All Good
BP

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

I just got done getting this series off the wire and will take a gander on the big screen. Particularily Rockafella interests me... I got lost in the Wiki on him, and started getting way-back, to like whaling...how our country REALLY gained it's wealth.

Another interesting series I like to show folks is by Frontline - Money, Power and Wall Street. Money, Power and Wall Street | FRONTLINE | PBS

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

How is Standard Oil more political than the NEA (National Education Association)? The biggest union in the USA?

We're at the edge here folks.

Let's just comment on the show. OK?

That is why I just put in standard oil I am dropping it

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

I haven't seen this program but is sounds pretty interesting....as far as U.S history goes. Is there a good bit on Henry Ford?...he was certainly an industrial icon in the 20th century...maybe the industrial icon.
I think I saw or read something about it stating it was a bit of a crapshoot whether it was he (Henry Ford) or Bill Gates who had really reset the bar over the last century in terms of the impact that was made on common society as a result of their work.
I'll have to check out Youtube and see if there is something on it about this show.
All Good
BP

Ford-That is supposed to be a part of the series. Stay tuned.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

Great mini series and very educational. It just shows what a man can do when thier drive and ambition is let loose. Like them or not these people help make this country what it is.

 

[sam60]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

I'm liking it.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

I have only caught one of the episodes, but I thought it was interesting.

As I watched, I was thinking of of the people of our times who will be looked back on as industrial pioneers in the technology arena . . . Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Michael Dell, Brin & Page (Google guys), Mark Zuckerman . . . etc.

 

[86 century]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

If you have seen the one a out the early railroad barons a funny side note in a meeting today our division superintendent announced we are in a bit of a biding war to start hauling crude oil again.
Thought it a bit funny as we where setting in former Newyork central yard.

 

[sam60]

Re: Men Who Built America-History Channel

Guess we won't be watching it tonight. History Channel had a short blip that it will be seen next Sunday due to Hurricane Sandy...