Observations on ‘The Civil War’

Here are some of the letters that Calendar received on the PBS miniseries “The Civil War” and on two articles about it: Howard Rosenberg’s “War Is Hell, but ‘Civil War’ Is Splendid” (Sept. 21) and Sharon Bernstein’s “The Black Reaction to ‘Civil War’: Pain and Pride” (Sept. 29).

Rosenberg’s (favorable) review is fat-headed. Ken Burns’ 11-hour “epic” on the Civil War has to disappoint anyone serious about finding out the truth.

The miniseries does not even take up the question of Robert E. Lee’s hypocritical and treasonous turn-about from hater of slavery and favorer of the Union.

Burns seems to be trying to offend nobody. Quote everybody. I say to hell with that.

There were serious rights and wrongs in that war. Was Lee any nobler than Hitler’s best generals? And Jefferson Davis--should that traitor be elevated to the status of a statesman just because he was born on North American soil? I regret the lack of critical intelligence in this film.

ROBERT L. GREENFIELD

Goleta