When Ken Burns proposes a history (Civil War, Jazz, Roosevelts, etc) you know he's done his research. Here, building the narrative from the testimonies of soldiers, townspeople and statesmen, he reveals in impeccable detail how the USA was born. Using paintings and maps alongside discrete re-enactments and the input of scholars from many perspectives, he invites us to listen to the participants, imagine the smells, feel the emotions of the enslaved and reflect on the strategies of native peoples. A visceral portrait far removed from dry text, giving context to current semi-quincentennial celebrations.