Here is a very interesting cruise for history buffs- the Great American Steamboat Company has scheduled their newly-refurbished American Queen steamboat for a 12-night voyage that begins on Aug. 9, 2012, with 2 days of steamboating and ports of call to include: New Orleans, LA, Vicksburg, MS, Helena, AK, Memphis, TN, Ashport Landing, TN, Paducah, KY, Savannah, TN, Decatur, AL and Chattanooga, TN.
What’s significant about this voyage is that it will be a PBS American Experience cruise, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, and will premiere the highly-anticipated PBS documentary “This Republic of Suffering.”
“This Republic of Suffering,” is the latest production by American Experience; those participating in the cruise will have a sneak peek at the final product weeks ahead of its national debut on PBS stations across the country. The documentary is based This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War, a book by historian and Harvard University President Drew Gilpin Faust.
The content of the documentary examines how the previously unmatched death toll of the Civil War changed American cultural attitudes and federal government policies regarding soldiers.
Join Emmy Award-winning writer, director and filmmaker Ric Burns and acclaimed executive producer of American Experience Mark Samels as they premier and discussing the upcoming PBS production with passengers aboard.
Other esteemed guests for this unique American Experience voyage include…
Also appearing…
- Brian Still Wills, historian
- James I. “Bud” Robertson, Jr., historian
- Barry Meadows, tribute artist: General Ulysses S. Grant
- Al Stone, tribute artist: General Robert E. Lee
- Cathy Barton & Dave Para, Civil War era musicians
- Bobby Horton, Civil War historian & musician
Find out more about the Great American Steamboat Company and its ship, the American Queen.