This concluding program that spans the 1960s to the early twenty-first century is sprawling in the wide range of topics covered. It also reveals one of the weaknesses of the series as a whole in the lackluster commentary. It was not clear why the words of movie stars like Meryl Streep or Michael Douglas would contribute to an understanding of American history. Similarly, there was not a great deal of substance in the time allotted to network newscasters like Brian Williams and Tom Brokow.
One of the key threads to the episode was in the technological developments of modern America, especially in the area of communications. One of the best commentaries came from entrepreneur Donald J. Trump, who described "the great thinkers of American entrepreneurship." Aaron Sorkin identified the importance of the responsibility that should be part and parcel of powerful people in television.
The program revealed how Vietnam was the first televised war, reaching the homes of millions of Americans on the nightly news in the 1960s. Whereas the photos of Matthew Brady brought the gruesome realities Civil War home to the American public, it was television that led directly to the protests and the unexpected end of the political career of Lyndon B. Johnson. And the first televised American governmental scandal was Watergate.
After the space race ended with the close of the Cold War, the next race ushered in was cyberspace. From the textile mils of the 1850s came the prototype of the color punch cards that would be influential to computer revolution in the late twentieth century.
The series closes with 9/11 and some thoughts on immigration. General Tommy Franks made the observation that after 9/11, "the world is going to change." The program tries put a positive spin on American resilience, but it omits mention of the trillions of dollars spent on needless wars in the wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
Immigrants have invariably come to America out of desperation, making great contributions in their search to realize the American Dream. Consequently, America is historically a nation made up of people from around the world seeking a new home.
One of the key threads to the episode was in the technological developments of modern America, especially in the area of communications. One of the best commentaries came from entrepreneur Donald J. Trump, who described "the great thinkers of American entrepreneurship." Aaron Sorkin identified the importance of the responsibility that should be part and parcel of powerful people in television.
The program revealed how Vietnam was the first televised war, reaching the homes of millions of Americans on the nightly news in the 1960s. Whereas the photos of Matthew Brady brought the gruesome realities Civil War home to the American public, it was television that led directly to the protests and the unexpected end of the political career of Lyndon B. Johnson. And the first televised American governmental scandal was Watergate.
After the space race ended with the close of the Cold War, the next race ushered in was cyberspace. From the textile mils of the 1850s came the prototype of the color punch cards that would be influential to computer revolution in the late twentieth century.
The series closes with 9/11 and some thoughts on immigration. General Tommy Franks made the observation that after 9/11, "the world is going to change." The program tries put a positive spin on American resilience, but it omits mention of the trillions of dollars spent on needless wars in the wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
Immigrants have invariably come to America out of desperation, making great contributions in their search to realize the American Dream. Consequently, America is historically a nation made up of people from around the world seeking a new home.
