Ep. 472: The American Buffalo with Ken Burns

Published: 2023-08-28 10:00:00

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Steven Rinella talks with Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan.

Topics discussed: When you’ve made more than three dozen renowned documentaries; Ken Burns’ college film ending with the pan across a painting; how The Civil War film consumed Americans; The Tenth Inning; Lewis & Clark, Jazz, Muhammad Ali and so many more; what do you want on your cheeseburger?; questioning the superiority of a species; The American Buffalo film, featuring Steve and former podcast guests Dan Flores and Michael Punk, premiers in October; watching the last buffalo herd disappear; word choice and the feeling of needing to explain the rationale behind a thought; George Horsecapture Jr.; what is the buffalo a symbol of in American history?; how nothing is binary; Quanah the warrior; how you should go watch all of Ken and Dayton's films; and more.

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Referenced Books

Out West

by Dayton Duncan

Ken Burns mentions that Dayton Duncan gave him this book, describing it as 'this magnificent story of Lewis and Clark, but it's also the story of his story engaging the Lewis and Clark trail.' This led to their collaboration on the Lewis and Clark film.

Referenced at 00:26:42

Wild New World

by Dan Flores

Steve Rinella mentions recently interviewing Dan Flores about his new book. The discussion was about how historians feel compelled to explain the evolution of thought on certain subjects rather than just stating current understanding.

Referenced at 01:01:25

Hunting adventures of a ranchman

by Theodore Roosevelt

Dayton Duncan discusses a book Roosevelt wrote after buying a ranch about his hunting adventures. In this book, Roosevelt discusses the buffalo's disappearance as both a tragedy and potentially necessary for the advance of civilization.

Referenced at 01:27:26

Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American History

by S. C. Gwynne

Steve Rinella recommends this book to listeners wanting to learn more about Quanah Parker and his mother Cynthia Ann Parker. The recommendation comes during discussion of Parker's complex relationship with Texas Rangers and Charlie Goodnight.

Referenced at 01:30:28