A Product of Where We've Been
Thoughts on a dynamic focus on history58 total reviews
Comment from Writingfundimension
Hi, Bill. I missed this original posting and I'm so glad that I was able to view it as part of the contest. This is a fantastic piece of writing and one of your absolute best. Very much deserving for consideration of story of the month. Good luck! Bev
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2012
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Hi, Bill. I missed this original posting and I'm so glad that I was able to view it as part of the contest. This is a fantastic piece of writing and one of your absolute best. Very much deserving for consideration of story of the month. Good luck! Bev
Comment Written 21-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2012
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Thanks for reading Bev and for your nice comments. Bill
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You're very welcome, Bill.
Comment from Maureen's Pen
This was an amazing work. You really do put the spin on how we see things so differently.
I thought your story was penned with care and perfection with a strong dose of reality thrown in.
Very well done.
Thanks for sharing.
Maureen
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2012
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This was an amazing work. You really do put the spin on how we see things so differently.
I thought your story was penned with care and perfection with a strong dose of reality thrown in.
Very well done.
Thanks for sharing.
Maureen
Comment Written 20-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 20-Feb-2012
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Thank you for reading! Bill
Comment from Sally Carter
Wow, Bill. I nearly didn't read this, simply because it's long and I am busy, but I am SO glad I did!
Wonderful, informative, fascinating, and strangely moving. I ended with a lump in my throat, truly.
I really liked the reply by the former Chinese leader, which sounds like an honest reply; and honest replies are often not what the questioner wants to receive in an age of soundbites and glib promises.
I love the self examination and the way you draw parallels with other countries and your own. There can be very few countries who do not have events in their history that shame them.
I also loved the mention of Virgil at the end. I could read a whole book of Virgil stories and never tire. The connection between the two of you, and the ages and cultures spanned is quite extraordinary.
It's interesting, isn't it, how Americans seem not to be everyone's favourite these days? (Though we Brits are certainly not very popular in Europe, or beyond, come to that.)
For my two penn'orth, and not to cause offence in any way, one gets the impression there are two kinds of Americans - the ones we see on telly, who are often brash and unattractive, and the "real" Americans, who are a mix of folks good and bad, just like us. Though again, I have to say there is aig chunk of British society which looks very unappealing to us, as well as the rest of the world!
And, risking being even more controversial, but I know you know this is a genuine discussion, I think a lot of Brits are scared by Americans' religious zeal. We are a far less religious country, and even those who regularly attend church seem, on the whole, to practise their faith more privately.
Still, if you want to meet great Americans, FS is the place to do it! You and most of your fellow writers are wonderful ambassadors for your country.
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, Bill, and am so glad I have a 6 in the cupboard to send you.
Sal
Oh, a tiny bit of proofreading, in the para beginning "Remember", no apostrophe needed on Americans.
reply by the author on 28-Jan-2012
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Wow, Bill. I nearly didn't read this, simply because it's long and I am busy, but I am SO glad I did!
Wonderful, informative, fascinating, and strangely moving. I ended with a lump in my throat, truly.
I really liked the reply by the former Chinese leader, which sounds like an honest reply; and honest replies are often not what the questioner wants to receive in an age of soundbites and glib promises.
I love the self examination and the way you draw parallels with other countries and your own. There can be very few countries who do not have events in their history that shame them.
I also loved the mention of Virgil at the end. I could read a whole book of Virgil stories and never tire. The connection between the two of you, and the ages and cultures spanned is quite extraordinary.
It's interesting, isn't it, how Americans seem not to be everyone's favourite these days? (Though we Brits are certainly not very popular in Europe, or beyond, come to that.)
For my two penn'orth, and not to cause offence in any way, one gets the impression there are two kinds of Americans - the ones we see on telly, who are often brash and unattractive, and the "real" Americans, who are a mix of folks good and bad, just like us. Though again, I have to say there is aig chunk of British society which looks very unappealing to us, as well as the rest of the world!
And, risking being even more controversial, but I know you know this is a genuine discussion, I think a lot of Brits are scared by Americans' religious zeal. We are a far less religious country, and even those who regularly attend church seem, on the whole, to practise their faith more privately.
Still, if you want to meet great Americans, FS is the place to do it! You and most of your fellow writers are wonderful ambassadors for your country.
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece, Bill, and am so glad I have a 6 in the cupboard to send you.
Sal
Oh, a tiny bit of proofreading, in the para beginning "Remember", no apostrophe needed on Americans.
Comment Written 28-Jan-2012
reply by the author on 28-Jan-2012
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Thanks Sal - I'm glad that you read this. I'm proud to be an American, but recognize that we worked hard and earned the tag of "ugly American." Always warm regards, Bill
Comment from RazberryBullet
Got a chuckle here: I do think we need to take a deep breath and try to understand why other peoples on this Earth aren't so crazy about us. ;p
A lovely,painful and moving essay. We need to remember our fallacies.
Excellent!
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2012
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Got a chuckle here: I do think we need to take a deep breath and try to understand why other peoples on this Earth aren't so crazy about us. ;p
A lovely,painful and moving essay. We need to remember our fallacies.
Excellent!
Comment Written 27-Jan-2012
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2012
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Hi RB - thanks very much for reading and your generous review. When I get sixes from writers I admire, it is very special. Always warm regards, Bill
Comment from Mary Ann MCPhedran
A Good write and loads of imagery HI I like your story it has a lot of knowledge and history. and a very good read . thanks for sharing with me. Mary
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2012
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A Good write and loads of imagery HI I like your story it has a lot of knowledge and history. and a very good read . thanks for sharing with me. Mary
Comment Written 27-Jan-2012
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2012
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Thanks for reading Mary and for your kind feedback. Both are appreciated. Bill
Comment from bob cullen
You write with both knowledge and honesty. Both these traits attract criticism. Worry not, this is a writing site and the work you've displayed in this piece is superb and I'm sure accurate in its delivery.
You write with the skill of a seasoned professional.
I enjoyed this essay
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2012
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You write with both knowledge and honesty. Both these traits attract criticism. Worry not, this is a writing site and the work you've displayed in this piece is superb and I'm sure accurate in its delivery.
You write with the skill of a seasoned professional.
I enjoyed this essay
Comment Written 27-Jan-2012
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2012
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Thanks for reading Bob - the post did attract a wee bit of criticism. Your comments are appreciated. Regards, Bill
Comment from James McCorkle
You write well and you speak the truth. I am 90 years old, and shortly after Pearl Harbour I was one of the R.A.F. students sent over to Pensacola to do my flight training. England was too busy fighting to do any training. I was amazed to see how the black people were treated down in Florida, and was vvery uncomfortable. Time has changed all of that now, and we see some progress, but I don't think the younger generation have a clue right now. They are too obsessed by what they can get for themselves right noiw. James McCorkle.
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2012
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You write well and you speak the truth. I am 90 years old, and shortly after Pearl Harbour I was one of the R.A.F. students sent over to Pensacola to do my flight training. England was too busy fighting to do any training. I was amazed to see how the black people were treated down in Florida, and was vvery uncomfortable. Time has changed all of that now, and we see some progress, but I don't think the younger generation have a clue right now. They are too obsessed by what they can get for themselves right noiw. James McCorkle.
Comment Written 26-Jan-2012
reply by the author on 27-Jan-2012
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Hi James - you are certainly right. I hope that you write about your experiences that you spoke of in your reply. Sounds like a good story to me. Regards, Bill
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I do have a number of stories, true events, and poems posted in Fanstory. May I ask you to read them and then review ? Thanks again. James.
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I do have number of stories and poems posted here on Fanstory if yoiu care to look them up' I think you will like some of them. James.
Comment from RebelRose
Wow Bill, you really made some good points here. This is very profound and thought-provoking. Tht last short paragraph is a real eye-opener. Very well done.
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2012
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Wow Bill, you really made some good points here. This is very profound and thought-provoking. Tht last short paragraph is a real eye-opener. Very well done.
Comment Written 26-Jan-2012
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2012
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Thanks Patty - a few folks beat me up on this, but I'm glad that you enjoyed. It was something that had been simmering on my mind for awhile. Always warm regards, Bill
Comment from BarnCat
Truly exceptional! Your essay flows logically from example to example and builds to a strong conclusion. The examples are presented without apology or opinion -- you allow your readers to draw their own conclusions. Mostly, I liked your reminder that history is not stagnant. And sometimes it can be a hypocritical beast. Well written, well researched, well done. D
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2012
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Truly exceptional! Your essay flows logically from example to example and builds to a strong conclusion. The examples are presented without apology or opinion -- you allow your readers to draw their own conclusions. Mostly, I liked your reminder that history is not stagnant. And sometimes it can be a hypocritical beast. Well written, well researched, well done. D
Comment Written 26-Jan-2012
reply by the author on 26-Jan-2012
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Thank you for your exceptionally kind and generous review. Warm regards, Bill
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Thank you for your exceptionally kind and generous review. Warm regards, Bill
Comment from bowls
This is a really impressive essay! I love the sincere tone and the clear prose. Your use of personal references adds greatly to the already well researched historical references. That detail about your friend's parents being slaves was really a show stopper. It really puts things in perspective. There's just one tiny typo. In the paragraph beginning "Remember the little ditty", American's should be Americans. This Canadian thanks you for an excellent and impartial look at some incidents in American history.
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2012
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This is a really impressive essay! I love the sincere tone and the clear prose. Your use of personal references adds greatly to the already well researched historical references. That detail about your friend's parents being slaves was really a show stopper. It really puts things in perspective. There's just one tiny typo. In the paragraph beginning "Remember the little ditty", American's should be Americans. This Canadian thanks you for an excellent and impartial look at some incidents in American history.
Comment Written 25-Jan-2012
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2012
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Thank you very much for the kind review and the spot. I do appreciate both. It's strange, but this has been bouncing around my head for a good while. For sure, I appreciate the sixer, but I've got some ones on this. You know what ... I appreciate them too. What a boring world if everyone agreed with me. Warm regards, Bill