History Detectives: Season 9

Each segment of this popular and enduring PBS series offers a challenge to an intrepid team of investigators made up of historians, sociologists, auctioneers, and appraisers who focus on a mystery object connected to American history and then search documents, surf the Internet, explore libraries, and seek out and interview experts, hoping to solve some of the questions the item's owner has brought to them. The subject may be grand (how an almanac from the Revolutionary War period sheds light on the divided loyalties of colonists), or it can be suggestive of larger issues (such as artifacts of the women's suffrage movement), or it can be just plain odd (a gun that may have been used in Chicago's infamous Prohibition-era St. Valentine's Day massacre). The quests are fascinating and always engaging as the resourceful sleuths make discoveries with surprising twists. There's something for everyone here, ranging from the evolution of the Ronald McDonald character to a pioneering romance comic book series featuring African-American characters. Presenting all 12 episodes from the 2011 ninth season, this economically priced set is highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Rees)