or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
 
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
More Buying Choices
105 used & new from $0.88

Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Documentary: A History of the Non-Fiction Film
 
 

Documentary: A History of the Non-Fiction Film (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The inventors of cinema, who were legion, included diverse showmen, and others with interests far from showmanship..." (more)
Key Phrases: compilation films, film activity, film unit, United States, New York, Soviet Union (more...)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

List Price: $19.99
Price: $16.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $3.00 (15%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Want it delivered Tuesday, November 17? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
29 new from $8.50 74 used from $0.88 2 collectible from $17.68

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
  Hardcover, July 31, 1992 -- -- $2.27
  Paperback, January 6, 1993 $16.99 $8.50 $0.88

Frequently Bought Together

Documentary: A History of the Non-Fiction Film + Introduction to Documentary: + Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
Price For All Three: $43.13

Show availability and shipping details

  • This item: Documentary: A History of the Non-Fiction Film by Erik Barnouw

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Introduction to Documentary: by Bill Nichols

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Patricia Aufderheide

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details


Special Offers and Product Promotions


Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Documenting the Documentary: Close Readings of Documentary Film and Video (Contemporary Film and Television Series)

Documenting the Documentary: Close Readings of Documentary Film and Video (Contemporary Film and Television Series)

by Barry Keith Grant
$23.36
Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

by Patricia Aufderheide
$8.54
A New History of Documentary Film

A New History of Documentary Film

by Jack C. Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars (1)  $22.06
Directing the Documentary, Fourth Edition

Directing the Documentary, Fourth Edition

by Michael Rabiger
Directing the Documentary, Fifth Edition

Directing the Documentary, Fifth Edition

by Michael Rabiger
$36.16
Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is the best historical overview of that major genre termed 'Documentary' or 'Non-fiction."--Edward S. Small, Phd., University of Kansas "Nothing compares, still."--Amy Villarejo, Cornell University "A reasonably priced introduction to a major area of film making which is all too often left in the shadow of drama. It is both thorough and readable."--Fred Caffney, South Kent College

"First rate history--well written, with a coherent and constant focus on the power of the documentary film."--Tom Mullin, Eastern Washington University

"The best in its field. I have used the first edition for almost twenty years to great effect. Barnouw is a masterful text writer."--Robert J. Allen, Seton Hall University

"This is the basic book for anybodywho wants to be a documentary filmmaker. Very good!"-Aleksander Mandis, New York University

"A concise, accurate and indispensable book for any lover of documentary film. An indispensable reference and a worthy text for any course on the subject."--Lynne Jackson, St. Francis College

"The best general history of documentary available. Concise, yet wide ranging and erudite. A valuable classroom text."--Michael Griffin, University of Minnesota

Praise for Previous Editions:

"A helpful antidote to the spirit....It presents sign posts to where documentary could be and where it may emerge. Barnouw's style has a clarity and precision that make his books delights to read."--Film Quarterly

"The whole panorama has been richly researched and compactly organized into easy prose by Barnouw, writing at the peak of his competence."--Variety

"Erik Barnouw puts film history in the mainstream of human history as few others have done before. He reminds us of the powers of film to instruct, exhilarate, excite and deceive, and shows how these powers have been used in our time."--Daniel J. Boorstin


Product Description

Now brought completely up to date, the new edition of this classic work on documentary films and filmmaking surveys the history of the genre from 1895 to the present day. With the myriad social upheavals over the past decade, documentaries have enjoyed an international renaissance; here Barnouw considers the medium in the light of an entirely new political and social climate. He examines as well the latest filmmaking technology, and the effects that video cassettes and cable television are having on the production of documentaries. And like the previous editions, Documentary is filled with photographs, many of them rare, collected during the author's travels around the world. Covering the full course of the documentary from Louis Lumiere's first effort to recent landmark productions such as Shoah, this book makes the growing importance of a unique blend of art and reality accessible and understandable to all film lovers.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 416 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (January 7, 1993)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0195078985
  • ISBN-13: 978-0195078985
  • Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #356,464 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category: (What's this?)

    #6 in  Books > Entertainment > Movies > Documentaries

More About the Author

Erik Barnouw
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Visit Amazon's Erik Barnouw Page

Inside This Book (learn more)




What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Documentary: A History of the Non-Fiction Film
86% buy the item featured on this page:
Documentary: A History of the Non-Fiction Film 4.8 out of 5 stars (5)
$16.99
Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
5% buy
Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
$8.54
A New History of Documentary Film
4% buy
A New History of Documentary Film 5.0 out of 5 stars (1)
$22.06
Introduction to Documentary:
3% buy
Introduction to Documentary: 3.3 out of 5 stars (3)
$17.60

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

 

Customer Reviews

5 Reviews
5 star:
 (4)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Introduction to the World of Non-Fiction Films, July 5, 2000
By David Cromwell (Provo, Utah United States) - See all my reviews
I know that when you see a book receive the five star rating you think that the person reviewing is either tender-hearted or an ignoramus as it is inconceivable to think of a perfect book. However, since I am neither tender-hearted nor an ignoramus I give you my word that Barnouw's book is an amazing reference guide to the world of non-fiction films. Its an incredibly quick read, it took me a matter of days despite a hectic schedule, and though a lot of names and movies come flying at you they are easy to access and remember. So if you know nothing about documentaries you can quickly become knowledgeable by reading this book and then know what films you should seek after. The book traces non-fiction films all the way from the early experiments of Muybridge and the actualities of Lumiere all the way up to the 1990s. It divides the films not by region but by their respective genre and in the order they emerged. Then in the final chapter, "Movement," it carries documentaries up into our days and explains what's going on and where it's headed. Again, though you wished Barnouw could have delved even deeper into certain aspects, or become more localized as this is mostly a globalized look, you realize that this book is only the stepping stone into a whole new world. Barnouw is merely opening the door and inviting us to enter.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars This is it!, June 23, 2000
By A Customer
Barnbouw has taken a wealth of creativity and almost a century of filmmaking and not only made it manageable but intensely relevant and interesting, His breakdown of the various movements throughout the history of the documentary film is right on and remarkable. The research included in this masterpiece is unmatchable in other writings on the documentary. Filmmakers and non-filmakers alike need to read this book. It is a history lesson on a all too often over looked art.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Learning Guide, September 14, 2000
By David Pickup (Lasalle, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews
If you are interested in Documentary Film, this is a great introduction to the genre. Barnouw brings you through history with ease and enjoyment. I found it extremely satisfactory; definitely not a disappointment.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A book about reality
I own a splanish version of this book that I used on some of my school's courses. I belive this is a great book for people interested in the other face of the film industry. Read more
Published on May 28, 2002 by Alonso Mejia Silva

5.0 out of 5 stars The essential text on documentary cinema
Not only is this a wonderful documentary film history text, it is also extremely well-written. Barnouw is a wonderful storyteller and knows his subject perhaps better than anyone.
Published on July 20, 1999 by Robert Jordan

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   




Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.