Wild West, Vol. 1

Gr 8 Up—This outstanding production combines scholarly research, marvelous visuals, clearly written dialogue, straightforward narration, and a tightly edited presentation that will surely be a favorite of students, teachers, and media personnel. Each of the legendary characters included in this anthology contributed to the formation of our concept of the American West, particularly after the Civil War. This comprehensive presentation aims to clarify—and probably to correct—many of those beliefs which border of being myths. The reality of these American legends is presented with vintage stills and even some film footage, quality recreations, and insightful commentary from a variety of scholars—all framed with a smooth and nicely-paced narration. A helpful scene selection option complements the high quality bonus segments (varying widely in type among the titles). Lesson plans are embedded in the DVD and can be accessed on the computer. The superb series deserves serious consideration for inclusion in all media collections for classroom use and individual research.—Dwain Thomas, formerly Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL