Flash Post: What Is It Good For?
What It Is: As per the title of this post – a reference to classic Motown track ‘War (What Is It Good For)’ – today’s gift ideas are two tales of bloody battles that have had a profound impact on our world. To me, the ‘use’ of war is to hopefully learn from our mistakes and quite literally never go to war again, and perhaps these two documentaries will help pave the way. If you’re buying for a history buff, consider the somewhat lighthearted storytelling of The War of 1812: Been There, Won That, which recreates the war through the eyes of Canadian actor Peter Kelaghan. Not familiar? From what I remember, this is the war that spurred the Americans to write ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ after us rowdy Canucks set flame to the White House. Separate the truth from the myth with this fun docu-story. Meanwhile if you’re shopping for a current events buff, the forthcoming Love, Hate & Propaganda is an apt pick starting with the events of 9/11 and how propaganda fueled the ‘War on Terror’ in the Middle East that still haunts us today.
Who It’s For: Your college-aged brother that’s full of conspiracy theories and a casual job writing for the school paper – Love, Hate & Propaganda will fuel his fire. Your quirky uncle that loves charting out the family tree and collecting historical documents – he’ll get absorbed in The War of 1812. Your hyper-intellectual friend that loves documentaries – so you can actually learn the next time you have a movie night.
What It Costs: The War of 1812 is $19.77 and Love, Hate & Propaganda (out mid-March) is $21.99
Where It’s At: I spotted both DVDs on The CBC Shop – buy The War of 1812 here and Love, Hate & Propaganda here.
Canadian Gift Guide 
Two excellent finds – I’ll have to make time to watch both of these.
I would love to watch both of these. Hated history in high school but for some reason now I love it!
Love Hate Propaganda is a great movie
I’d love to watch the War of 1812. Hopefully it is also suitable for pre-teens!
My brother would love these!
I could definately read up on the war of 1812, a reinactment is always done on the Crysler farm near the Upper Canada Village.
These look like they’re worth watching 🙂 I think my husband would love them