CONWAY — Roger Pauly, an assistant professor of history at the University of Central Arkansas, will be among experts featured in tonight’s PBS documentary, Ground War.
Ground War, a four-part television series, explores the technological innovations that have transformed warfare through the ages, according to the PBS website.
The first episode, “Warrior Weapons,” will be shown on AETN and PBS tonight at 8 p.m. followed by episode two at 9 p.m. On May 26, episode three will be shown at 8 p.m. followed by episode four at 9 p.m.
“Warrior Weapons,” draws heavily from Pauly’s book, Firearms: The Lifestory of a Technology.
Pauly will appear in the first episode, which traces the evolution of soldiers and their gear. The film starts in a world without gunpowder, than examines the transformative arrival of the explosive elixir, and the matchlock and flintlock muskets, rifled barrels, expanding bullets, automatic weapons, and assault rifles that followed, the website states. It also looks at the development of wearable exoskeletons and advanced robotic soldiers.
While researching the topic, Producer Roger Finnegan read Pauly’s book because it is one of the most recent comprehensive studies on the subject, Pauly said.
“I was delighted and honored that they took such an interest in the book. After spending a couple years writing a manuscript one tends to appreciate any positive feedback that comes your way,” Pauly said. “To capture the attention of this international production team was really exciting.”
The film is an ITV Studios Production for THIRTEEN in association with ITV Global Entertainment based in London, National Geographic Channels International, and WNET.ORG.
For more information about the program visit: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ground-war.
