The sixties

CNN's documentary series takes a thematic approach to the 1960s, with ten episodes covering the growth of television, the Cold War, JFK's assassination, Vietnam, the civil rights movement, the British Invasion, the space race, 1968 ("one goddam thing after another"), socio-political movements, and lifestyle changes. A stellar lineup of talking heads tend to be underused, often providing merely a thesis sentence introducing the primary video material, so experts' commentary sometimes comes off as obvious or even banal. The various segments succeed to different degrees, and while the themes often overlap, the content seldom repeats itself. The footage is often eye-popping and offers enough context to hold the narratives together. VERDICT With each episode clocking in at just over 40 minutes, CNN opts for breadth over depth in this excellent series. Libraries not already drowning in Sixties documentaries should add it.-John Hiett, -formerly with Iowa City P.L. © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 7 Up-Each of the 10 episodes in this three-disc documentary series uses a combination of archival news footage, current day commentary, and personal accounts to explore this transformative decade. Making an appearance are: television hosts smoking at their desks as they interview starlets, breaking news of the U-2 incident, footage from the Zapruder film, Neil Armstrong, Woodstock, and Betty Friedan, but this list just scratches the surface. Viewers may be familiar with iconic '60s topics, such as the Beatles and the Vietnam War, but this program also features names perhaps less known to millennials: Yuri Gagarin, Walter Cronkite, and Barry Goldwater. Political topics are particularly well handled, and the ample popular cultural references will keep even fidgety students tuned in. Some of the segments, such as on the musically centered British Invasion, are upbeat, while others ("The Times They Are A Changin'") are more somber and cover gay rights, women's liberation, the struggles of migrant farm workers, and the rise of conservatism. (A few incidents of "love in" nudity are digitally blurred.) Clearly identified tracks allow targeted playing of any pertinent eight- to 10-minute section. Eight episodes are between 40 to 45 minutes each, and two ("The Assassination of President Kennedy," "A Long March to Freedom") are two hours. VERDICT All episodes are highly informative, evenhanded, and will hold the interest of teen viewers. The excellent production values and well-rounded topic coverage make this a strong choice for any classroom.-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.