Secrecy

Conspiracy? offers viewers an entertaining and speculative examination of 12 historical controversies, all previously aired multiple times on the History Channel. From the stories behind Jack Ruby's murder of Lee Harvey Oswald to Princess Diana's fatal car crash to the 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800, viewers are presented with expert commentary and original resources in order to draw their own conclusions. Secrecy focuses on questions regarding the increased role government secrecy plays in our post-9/11 society. It balances the pros and cons of the issue through interviews with journalists and former intelligence officials. While describing a mind-set with roots in the Cold War, the film features three major court cases involving the abduction of suspected terrorists ("extraordinary rendition"), the states secrets privilege, and the Supreme Court's finding against military tribunals at Guantùnamo Bay Naval Base. The background music enhances the serious tone of the presentation. The 56-minute classroom version is included on the DVD along with interview outtakes. Conspiracy? is recommended for public library patrons fascinated by these theories; Secrecy is highly recommended for social science students in colleges and universities.-Gary D. Barber, formerly with SUNY at Fredonia Lib. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.