Customer Reviews

American Experience: The 1930s

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American Experience: The 1930's is an anthology of documentaries on DVD reflecting upon America's history during the turbulent 1930's, an era best known for the crushing impact of the Great Depression. Individual programs examine the stock market crash of 1929 and the dire consequences of unrestrained economic optimism; the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps (including personal testimonies from CCC veterans), the story of the Hoover Dam that brought electricity and water to millions in the western U.S., the struggles of American farmers during the severe dust bowl "blizzards" of 1931, and even the remarkable accomplishments of the gifted thoroughbred Seabiscuit. Printable materials for educators round out this excellent and informative collection, ideal for public library DVD shelves. 5 DVDs, 4.5 hours. "The Civilian Conservation Corps" is also available as a stand-alone DVD.

If you have an interest in the era and would like to know what your grandparents or great-grandparents had to go through these stunning programs will give you great insight to those times. The greatest generation was forged by these events and went on to do so much for our nation and the world.

American Experience regularly makes some of the best historical program that you can see on TV and a lot of it is worth having at home. Children, teens, young adults and people of all ages need to be reminded about what went before so they don't make the same mistakes.

This set has turned out to be better than I expected in its content. The Stock Market Crash of 1929 was fairly well done, with interviews of descendents of the big financiers who took advantage of market conditions to manipulate stocks. Perhaps more of the impact and influence of the U.S. market collapse on the world economy and a little less on the stock manipulators would have improved the presentation.
The Dust Bowl segment is excellent and I have used it in my U.S. History classroom. The rabbit scene captured the student's attention and broke up the dust storm sequences well. Interviews with people who shared their childhood experiences in the Dust Bowl help to personalize the story.
The Hoover Dam and Seabiscuit videos were also very good.
I recommend the set in view of the fact that you get more video for the dollar.

I almost did not buy this because of a negative review by a teacher. However, I did get it and I'm glad. My only negative is that it wasn't longer. Five episodes make up the whole, all quite different but representative of the period. I started with "Seabiscuit," the saga of the race horse who could, despite everything. I proceeded to the episode about the Dust Bowl and concluded that it was something that Tea Baggers should watch and learn from And so it went.

The program has considerable depth, is well narrated and both educational and entertaining. Pay no attention to the teacher's problems with it.

I purchased this "yawn fest" for my classroom. The students have been begging for a movie. I realize that this is the tech generation and kids are picky...well unless there are explosions etc. But nonetheless they don't seem to mind A&E biographies etc. But this was a waste of money! Now if you are true blue history buff and love old footage with little explanation and a voice that drones on well then I say" go with your bad self!"