The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen

In general, “The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen” is an excellent four-part video series from executive producer Leonardo DiCaprio about “How the West was won.”The series covers roughly the first 75 years of America’s “experiment” – from the 1775 Revolution through the 1849-50 California Gold Rush. Prominent are the integrated stories of Daniel Boone, Tecumseh, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, Andrew Jackson, Davy Crockett, John Frémont, Davy Crockett, and Kitt Carson. Political leaders (many with a military background) include Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson (again), William Henry Harrison, James K. Polk, and Sam Houston.To my best recollection, the two discs include the following topics with a sample of the main characters involved therein:1. a. “Into the Wilderness”: Revolutionary War, Daniel Boone; Tecumseh; Jefferson(Louisiana Purchase); Jackson (War of 1812))b. “Never Surrender”: Tecumseh, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, and Sacagawea2. a. “Live Free or Die”: Jackson, Tecumseh, Davy Crockettb. “Empire of Liberty”: Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, John C. Fremont, and Kitt CarsonThe story of over five and a half hours effectively links together famous frontiersmen whose individual biographies elsewhere have them operating pretty much in silos and not, as in this series, interacting with each other in intriguing ways that better help develop their personal characters and strategies.While the story is often compelling and beautifully set, some areas suffer a bit. Each segment is normally preceded by an introduction of what happened in the previous segment, which, while good when one watches the segments one at a time, proves a little annoying when watching them back to back. As well, much of the military equipment used is often not “period-correct.” Some frontiersmen are using muskets when they should be using rifles. Others are using rifles not yet invented.Bottom-line, however, the videos are an easy, enjoyable way to gain a fairly decent perspective of the men who, with strength, endurance, and determination, set forth to explore and conquer the American frontier. Highly recommended!Of possible interest: George Washington’s Liberty Key: Mount Vernon’s Bastille Key – the Mystery and Magic of Its Body, Mind, and Soul, a best-seller at Mount Vernon. “Character is Key for Liberty!” andStrategy Pure and Simple: Essential Moves for Winning in Competition and Cooperation

While not a big budget documentary, this provide a view with a truck load of insights into men often gloried in the movies or forgottne in the classroom. Historically accurate, narrated professionally, I would call on one word for this work: Profound. Davey Crockett, Tecumseh, pioneer men from states on the east side of the Mississippi. There is a great deal of knowledge in this film.

Well done stories about this countries’s early pioneers.

If you like history or action this is a great series to watch will be buying the next season

So interesting.

Great videos for those who know nothing about the early frontier of our country and the men who explored it. I gave it only 4 stars because it wasn't entirely historically accurate as some other reviews stated, but very well done and highly entertaining. I will recommend it to everyone.

The Men who went expeditions. Frontiersmen famous.

Absolutely great historical document. Gives a very good account of how TOUGH the early Americans were, and the hell they went through. (Makes the sit on the couch, and play video games generation look like slugs.) It only gives an overview of the lives of early trailblazers, because of time constraints, but does give a glimpse into what kind of grit and determination people had who created this country. Tells things that were both good and bad about Americas' beginnings. Daniel Boone was unbelievable. Davey Crocket was a decent guy, that had a tragic end. Andrew Jackson. not my favorite person, but did have a big impact on the early development of the nation. Kit Carson was tough as it comes. These are a few people that were spotlighted in this set. DiCaprio did a great job portraying the participants that were involved with building America during and after the Revolution.