The above title is the Cover Story in the Sept 24,2007 issue of U.S. News & WORLD REPORT. In it is an outline of filmmaker Ken Burns’s new WW II series, The War, a 14-hour PBS documentary. On September 23, PBS will begin airing it.
Unlike the legions of other WWII documentaries, The War, is a kind of bottom-up look, i.e. told not from/by celebrity generals or politicians, or an interest in strategy or the distraction of weaponry but from so-called ordinary people.
There are no armchair experts in the film. If you weren’t in the war or waiting anxiously for someone to come back, you’re not in it.
From the article quote Burns’s design is to tell the story of the conflict through four American towns (Mobile, Ala.; Waterbury, Conn.; Luverne, Minn.; and Sacramento, Calif.), the people who lived there, how they experienced the war, and how the world changed as a result. It relies heavily on the voices of ordinary soldiers and civilians. Unquote.

Following is a message received far too late to participate in the event.

Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:01 PM
Subject: The California Museum - Conversation with Ken Burns

To all:

• We just received information about an event tomorrow, Thursday, September 13, 2007, in Sacramento, at the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts, from 10:45 am to Noon.
• Please read the message below and the attached Media Advisory for more information.
• Veterans need to RSVP by 5 pm today, by calling 916.653.1752, and identify themselves as a Veteran.
• Seating is limited.
• Please contact other Veterans in the Sacramento area and let them know about this event.
• Sorry for the short notice.

A CONVERSATION WITH KEN BURNS
Ken Burns talks with World War II vets, students and community members about his new documentary series, The War, moderated by KFBK radio host Kitty O’Neal
at The California Museum for History, Women and the Arts

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