Discoveries...America: Missouri

If anyone can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, Jim and Kelly Watt can with their lauded, high-definition shot Discoveries…America series. Having crisscrossed Missouri a few times, I confess that I gave high marks to the Mississippi River and Gateway Arch, but little else. In fact, Missouri was just plain 'Misery' to me in my California-bred smugness until this title came along. Among the many interesting sights covered here, viewers will visit Hannibal, the childhood home of Mark Twain; tour SubTropolis, the largest subterranean business complex in the world (as well as Fantastic Caverns, the only drive-thru cave tour in North America); wander the Hallmark Card Company; enjoy the boot-scootin' boogie-down live entertainment in Branson; and stop in at Harry Truman's library in Independence. I also learned that Kansas City (MO) is not only home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, but also has more outdoor water fountains than any other city in the world except for Rome. Another fine entry in a delightful series that has rekindled the urge in many to see the United States again through different eyes, this is highly recommended. [Note: Discoveries…America: Nebraska is also newly available.] Aud: P. (J. Carlson)