Frontline: To The Brink Of War

This Frontline special which aired on January 15, 1991, the eve of war, traces in detail the events leading from Saddam Hussein's threats against Kuwait in a public speech on July 17, 1990 to the 11th hour attempts at diplomacy in the hours just prior to the start of the war. Since many of the high-ranking officials were either unavailable or consciously chose not to speak with the Frontline filmmakers, the program offers the commentary of political journalists in their place. While this might not necessarily have delivered a better or more accurate picture of the political situation, the journalists chosen do, in fact, deliver a much more lucid and intelligent appraisal of the Gulf crisis than the principals could (or would) have provided. Thomas Friedman (New York Times), Robin Wright (Los Angeles Times), Evan Thomas and Ann McDaniel (Newsweek), and Rick Atkinson (Washington Post) are the primary commentators, and the program really shines in its assessment of Bush as a President whose military background and close circle of advisors contributed to the relative ease and quickness with which he brought the country to the brink of war (and, of course, immediately following the broadcast of this program, beyond the brink). The comparatively low price of this Frontline program (they usually cost $300) and the ongoing interest in anything relating to the recent war make this an excellent choice for libraries. Highly recommended. (Available from: PBS Video, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314-1698; 1-800-334-3337.)