Part of the Within Our Borders series, The Story of Texas is a travel-video-meets-geography-lesson that presents a no-nonsense, basic overview of the Lone Star State via maps, stock footage, historical re-enactments, and deep-voiced narration. While viewers will learn about the history and geography of Texas, the whole thing meanders and rambles more than a cattle drive—perhaps the idea of free association seemed more interesting, but it doesn't really work for a video intended for classroom use. Here, the program jumps around from TexMex cuisine to Pancho Villa; from cowboys to the Metroplex; from JFK's assassination to G.W. Bush's “War on Terror” in an unfocused mishmash of solid U.S. geography and Texas promotional information. A better choice for a school audience would be Texas (VL-9/04). Optional. Aud: I, J. (E. Gieschen)
The Story of Texas
(2006) 30 min. VHS or DVD: $49 (single site), $189 (multi-site). Teacher’s guide included. New Dimension Media. PPR. Color cover. ISBN: 1-59522-279-0 (vhs). Volume 21, Issue 5
The Story of Texas
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