America, the Living Dream: America's Beginning

Given the fact that my husband and I, who have four degrees in history between us, couldn't follow this introduction to American history, you can well imagine the potential frustration awaiting your typical high school student. In the opening minutes, for example we're told that “the Dutch settled New York where the Irish for one found a new home,” leading to a discussion of Tammany Hall politics (which the Irish ran some 200 years after the Dutch), before the program backs up to mention that Tammany Hall was originally an anti-immigrant organization during the Early Republic. Question: What does this have to do with the ostensible subjects of exploration and colonization? Answer: Exactly nothing. After the third showing of the flashy opening credits (which are launched a total of six times throughout the tape) the script finally settles down to something approximating an examination of the settlement of the New World by Europeans. Of Columbus, we're told “it was a good thing the Indians were there, because the only gold he found were their earrings,” before being bumped along to the settlement of the English colonies (Spanish and French colonies in the future U.S. are ignored), where we're sidetracked by a really abysmal collection of ye quainte olde lawes of Colonial Days thrown in for no apparent reason. Among the numerous grammar/usage errors, we're informed that LaSalle “ran into a similar doom as Hudson,” and that the producers would like to thank the “Smithsonian Institute” (rather than "institution"). Let's see, can I make it any plainer? Do not buy this dreadful pastiche! Not recommended. Other titles in the 6-part series include: The Revolution in America, Growth of a Nation, and The Civil War & The Move West. A much better choice here would be United States History Video Collection: Origins--WWII (VL-7/96) Aud: H, P. (R. Reagan)