Amazon.com essential video: Covering the entire 20th century in one video series is an ambitious project, but one that Peter Jennings and ABC News are up to. In The Century: America's Time, a 12-part documentary on six videotapes that is a companion to the book of the same name, Jennings guides us through a century of technology and advancement like no other. As he says in his introduction to episode 1, 'Seeds of Change,' 'Unlike previous centuries where leadership was defined by royalty and other rulers, the 20th century more than any other was shaped by the will and actions of the common man.' The series is a sweeping presentation of the United States of the 1900s and tries to encompass a mind-boggling amount of history. And while at moments the videos may leave you longing for more, Jennings does an excellent job of creating smooth segues between disparate pieces.
The first episode, for instance, begins with the influx of immigrants at the turn of the century and touches on Jim Crow laws, moving pictures, planes, Henry Ford, the sinking of the USS Maine, child labor, suffragettes, the Panama Canal, imperialism, and more, right up to the beginning of World War I. The archival footage is stunning and interviews with historians, veterans, journalists, POWs, politicians, authors, celebrities, and common people help bring the past to life again. Mickey Spillane discusses the speakeasies of the 1920s; Dennis Hopper talks about Easy Rider in the '60s; Tom Wolfe reads from The Bonfire of the Vanities for the episode on the '80s. Eudora Welty, E.L. Doctorow, Martin Scorsese, John Updike, Pat Buchanan, Oliver Stone, Stephen E. Ambrose, among many others, lend their voices to this documentary. Yet, despite the great names, at times the pictures and people are allowed to speak for themselves, without intrusive narration--the stark images of the Challenger explosion or the sad words of a political activist mourning the death of his partner to AIDS are more powerful because of it. This chronological tale (with the exception of the last episode, 'Then and Now,' which is arranged thematically) is an insightful and poignant reminder of all the marvels--and tragedies--of America in the 20th century. --Jenny Brown
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Rating: - Good broad history, Compelling and concise. . .
As for the person who complained that Martin Scorcese called the '80's the "me" decade, that was a popular theme of the time. Maybe you should go back and look at 80's and the literature about it from all kind of sources. Just like the 20's was often refered to as the "Roaring" 20's. 80's was often called the "me" decade. I also think it is not a liberal or conservative designation. Following the internalization of values and desires in the 70's, the 80's was when technology, growth, income and development all led to the application of the 70's trend of an individual ethic. People DID become more selfish and self centered, more complacent, in need of more instant gratification.
Rating: - STARTING TO WORRY
I have used this series for a few years now and have had great success with it. Not just the old school compilation of talking heads, but an engaging, well-paced documentary. However, as others have said, I am getting concerned about its availability in the future when VHS players go the way of the 8-track. Anyone out there know of plans to put this on DVD?
Rating: - History with Emotion
This series is so helpful to recall the chronological order of all of the things once learned in history classes at school. Hoever this series not only gives the facts, but adds a personal element to it by interviewing average citizens who remember the historic events recalled. By no means is this your "boring documentary". I have seen the series several times, and I still learn new things, and I still moved everytime, at the strength of our country and the tremendous blessing it is to live here.
Rating: - Brings History to life
My teacher showed this video in class and everyone in class enjoyed it immensly. I can't wait to watch it again. A great keepsake.
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- Good broad history, Compelling and concise. . . 
