American Experience - Reconstruction: The Second Civil War

Buy This Item American Experience - Reconstruction: The Second Civil War by PBS Paramount  Available from Amazon  $14.99  on 11-26-2008     Spanning the years from 1863 to 1877, this dramatic mini-series recounts the tumultuous post-Civil War years. America was grappling with rebuilding itself, with bringing the South back into the Union, and with how best to offer citizenship to former slaves. Stories of key political players in Washington are interwoven with those of ordinary people caught up in the turbulent social and political struggles of Reconstruction. Reader Reviews This documentary is a three-hour march through the turbulent years of reconstruction. It features commentary by prominent post-revisionist historians such as David Blight and Eric Foner. The historians explain the deeper meanings of reconstruction through the film. The movie weaves together five stories: the carpetbagger, two planters, a freedman and a politician. The stories are personal, but also are meshed with the larger events of reconstruction. The film uses still pictures as well as dramatic scenes without dialogue. There is somber background music in parts of the film but not all. For teachers, this film would work best with students above the ninth grade level. Because of the way the story is written, a teacher could plan a lesson around the entire film, or in showing only segments, which are neatly broken into chapters on the dvd. An added feature of the DVD is a "mini-documentary" that runs at about 45 minutes- good for one class showing... This is an outstanding documentary, well produced and well written. I highly recommend it.

American Experience - Reconstruction: The Second Civil War Available from Amazon Price: $14.99 Updated on 11-26-2008.

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