Review: PBS series “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea”
DISCLAIMER: As an historian and outdoor recreation professional, I’m doubly biased here. Still, I firmly believe Ken Burns’ newest documentary series represents his best work ever.
The six-part series, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” covered the history of the national park service from the creation of the world’s first national park (Yellowstone, established in 1872) to the present. Today, the National Park Service includes 391 units, incorporating 58 national parks and 333 national monuments and historic sites, in 49 states (only the nation’s fist state, Delaware, lacks a National Park unit).
I was honored with the opportunity to view the entire series earlier this summer and I can honestly say, I was stunned by the depth of the document, in terms of research, reporting and production. The 12-hours of document includes remarkable photography – both historic and modern – and stunning cinematography throughout the product. The visuals are matched, though, but the details in the commentary and reporting. Burns and his colleague, historian Dayton Duncan, unveil stunning historical facts that few Americans knew about their park service and remarkable stories of individuals who help preserve these wild lands we take for granted at times today.
Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park plays a significant role in the series, as it has in the history of the Parks Service (MRNP was the nation’s 5th National Park, established in 1899). Rainier also helped refine John Muirs wilderness ethic, and played a role in crafting the wilderness passions of Stephen Mather, the first director of the new National Parks Service. You’ll also see plenty of Yellowstone NP, Yosemite NP, Glacier NP, Volcanoes NP, Olympic NP, Crater Lake NP, Grand Canyon NP, Utah’s collection of stunning parks and others. You’ll learn about the role played by the US Army in protecting and preserve the parks early in their history, and the significant role of the African American cavalry troopers, the Buffalo Soldiers, in preserving the parks, especially Yosemite, when the parks faced serious threats from developers.
The new series launches on PBS stations around the country Sunday night (September 27) at 8 p.m. I encourage everyone who reads this blog to tune in, or TIVO, this series. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
For more information, visit http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/
