It is a slow night at our household. We just got home from a volleyball match, and the other members of the family have disappeared into some corner of the house. The dog is on the couch and The Civil War by Ken Burns is on television. Apparently, this is the 25th anniversary of the granddaddy of all historical documentaries.
I had forgotten about all of the famous people who leant their voices to the documentary. Sam Waterson. Jason Robards. Morgan Freeman. Garrison Keillor. Arthur Miller. George Plimpton. The list goes on and on.
David McCullough narrated but Shelby Foote became the star. His slow drawl and colorful descriptions captivated viewers.
After all these years, the documentary still makes a historical and emotional impact.
I hear activity around the house. The rest of the family must have ended their project and headed in various directions. David McCullough and Shelby Foote are still talking, but they are now joined by cabinets closing and the dog eating.
A long time ago, I watched The Civil War alone in a quiet house. Watching it this way is a lot better.
SBI: A Thinning Crowd 