We can't watch the first 4 nights so we are taping it. I'd be interested in peoples thoughts as well.

Don't know yet...we're recording it.

I found the "background" of how the whole thing started very interesting. I certainly don't remember being taught any of that in any History classes I took, and history was one of my favorite & best subjects in HS and College.

If I understood it correctly, Ho Chi Minh was more of a socialist than communist. It will be interesting to see Part 2.

So much corruption and evil in men who become leaders -- so many innocents loose their lives.

It is on the rest of this week on PBS in this area. I haven't watched it. I lost

an Uncle to this war and I probably should watch it. Scares me a bit, knowing

we could be doing the same thing again.

Much too soon to have a view of this production after seeing only one episode.

I think Ho was a nationalist above all. He was looking for sponsorship and at one time even courted the US for that purpose. He patiently led a decades long struggle for independence and to rid his country of foreign colonial influences and ultimately found China and the USSR to be reliable affiliates. The story is probably more nuanced and complicated.

I forgot to turn in the DVR, dang it! Does anyone know if it will start again?

If you missed it, you can watch it here: http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-vietnam-war/watch/episode-1/

You can also purchase the whole collection on Amazon (DVDs or Blu-Rays): https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dmovies-tv&field-keywords=pbs+the+vietnam+war&rh=n%3A2625373011%2Ck%3Apbs+the+vietnam+war

If you're taping it and have it set already for Wednesday, there is a special from a Dick Cavett show which is being telecast at 7 for an hour before the Vietnam War program starts. It features some of his interviews showing the reaction in the US.

Just got done with episode 3, rest are recorded and waiting for me to have time.

Why the heck America was fixated on communism spreading we will never know. Scared of another cold war perhaps. If they would have taken a second to figure out what the people actually wanted, war would never have happened. North Vietnam and the majority of Vietnam peoples wanted freedom from oppression which stemmed from a long time of French control. When we sent troops it just looked like more oppression and control to the Vietnamese people. It was their revolutionary war and we were Britain... Troops were ordered to burn peasants houses, kicking old people and women and children to the curb (or rice patties in this case).

South Vietnam had so much civil unrest before war broke out anyways. Monks burning themselves in the streets to protest religion control. Generals squabbling amongst themselves, like 7 coups in a row. It was never stable in the first place and we wanted to save that mess??? For stupid.

and...

BUMP

Vietnam was a major part of my teen/college years and yet I knew very little about it. didn't get to watch tonight's installment (9/25) but there were moments in each of previous ones when I was just holding my breath. i remember the famous pictures on news... that little girl running naked down the road because of napalm burns... the guy being shot in the head on the street. but seeing the film of those events was completely different. i know schools couldn't possibly fit this into their history curriculum, but should be required... Vietnam was NOT "Forest Gump"!

I was in college when the Vietnam war started, and then was a newlywed to a young enlisted soldier (who was drafted after he got out of college). I still remember all the pictures - the carnage. I was also living in Washington DC as a newlywed and well remember the March on the Pentagon and all the other protests (also Resurrection City on the Mall and the riots after MLK was shot). I don't want to see any of that again, anymore than I ever again want to see the film of that 2nd plane flying into the World Trade Tower. Sometimes its all just a bit too much...

Ok, so the first 2 episodes recorded this weekend, but DH and I have been watching the later episodes anyway. Excellent. And he and other guys he volunteers with have been discussing. All agree it does capture very accurately the feel and historical accuracy of the situations. Both political and events. It's still hard to believe we got involved to the extent we did because of political decisions.

DH served 3 tours in Viet Nam and doesn't want to watch. I do so I have it recorded. Haven't started it yet -- waiting for him to be gone or napping. I'm especially interested in the years he was over there.

I caught just a bit of it last night and was struck by Nixon's speech. I think he gave it at the Republican National Convention in 1968, but I missed what came before in the show, so I'm not sure. He spoke about how divided the country was, the dismal state of race relations, and other issues that could have been applied to America today. Except today our country is so polarized, and the other issues are worse as well.

Anyway, if I were better about sticking with a series I would have started watching this one. Ken Burns does such a good job with these things.

They have a few links up above if you want to catch up or start from the beginning.

you can watch at www.pbs.org

We have watched every episode and I think that every American should do so. Much is horrifying to witness and a shock to know of the hideous atrocities committed by our young men.

One of my brothers served in Viet Nam. I hope that he hasn't watched this; I'm afraid to call him.

I've had a hard time watching but it's my plan to give it another try soon.

My POW (remember the bracelets?) has been on my mind all week. I never knew what happened to him. Capt. James Hunt.

I haven't watched, as it was the boys from my generation who were sent over there, even one who became my husband, then ex. He died in 2010. The overwhelming arrogance of politicians who sent our young men and women to die over there still makes me angry.