Zeppelin: Terror Attack

Gr 7–12—In this part-History Channel, part-MythBusters—style production, we see a behind-the-scenes look at the German use of Zeppelins during World War I. The film investigates the inception of these flying monsters by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, and follows through to their adapted use in the German bombings of London during the early days of the war. With a team of specialists led by Dr. Hugh Hunt, a Cambridge University engineer, viewers learn about the science behind the creation and the destruction of these terrible war machines. War and weapons aficionados will appreciate the technical details of the incendiary bombs and the testing of the specialized artillery used to eventually destroy these warships. The episode has appropriately paced narration, attention-getting graphics, and an intriguing family connection between the lead investigator and an inventor from the past. This fabulous interdisciplinary film would be a benefit to any school library. Recommended for use with students of American history, science, or even for dirigible-loving steampunk fans.—Chani Craig, Turners Falls High School/Great Falls Middle School, Montague, MA