Back in early 2010 it was announced that Oliver Stone would be directing a massive special documentary series for Showtime called "The Untold History of the United States". It would chronicle nothing less than the entire 20th century, from the election of McKinley to the present day, and would seek to probe the "untold" or forgotten evolution of the American national security state leading to the rise of what is effectively the American Empire.
Typical of Stone, the 10 episode series will not be a simple narrative, but a nonlinear history lesson, traveling backward and forward in time, juxtaposing events, and underlining historical patterns and ironies. For example, Stone has said that the series will contrast the 2000 Bush v. Gore election with the election of 1900 between William Jennings Bryan and William McKinley. The program will come with a 608 page companion book co-written by American University history professor Peter Kuznick, which is set to hit shelves April 24th of next year: http://books.simonandschuster.com/...
And for a much more detailed and eloquent description of the series, please read Kuznick's interview here: http://hnn.us/...
I've never heard of anything like it since Howard Zinn's People's History books, and to say I can't wait to see it would be like saying a wanderer in the desert is happy to see an oasis.
For one, I think it's a great public service, as the knowledge of history among younger Americans is best described as dismaying, and I mean basic textbook history, never mind alternative history. What's worse is what history they are liable to hear about has the tendency to be mythologized and simplified at best, or at worst jingoistic propaganda coming from all the usual suspects, including a certain fellow who's currently the Republican frontrunner.
Secondly, with a director like Oliver Stone at the helm, I think the series has the potential to be an exciting and engaging presentation. The thing I admire about most of Stone's historical films is that he packs a tremendous amount of material into them. He really consumes the material and prints it onscreen. His films contain enough details to satisfy the historical junkie, while making them sweeping and entertaining enough to grip hold on the beginner.
The series has been delayed a few times (it was supposed to air earlier this year), but now it seems like it's ready to go in May. Stone will do his first extended promotion of Untold History with a sit-down discussion between him and Salon's David Talbot, who wrote the JFK assassination book Brothers, about RFK's secret investigation into his brother's murder. The discussion will be entitled "Exploring Untold History" and will be broadcast on Fora TV (unfortunately a $4.95 pass is required): http://fora.tv/...
My only regret is that the network of choice for the series is Showtime. I know that in tough times a lot of people are cutting out premium cable subscriptions, and if they can afford one, it's more likely to be HBO.
Still, I hope the Dexter fans will give it a look, and some kossacks will consider a subscription or pick up a copy of the book. And lest anyone think the series will be too depressing, there's even some material for #Occupy to chew on through the portrayal of labor and populist heroes as a countermovement to the reactionary forces at the time.
But first, please check out the Fora broadcast on Thursday. And also check out Stone's interview book "On History" which consists of his interview with Tariq Ali, one of the consultants for the film, so it provides a foretaste of what is to come.
8:21 PM PT: P.S.
No, I am not on the payroll of the PR department. If I was, why would I be posting this without a trailer, a set release date, and other marketing information? I'm just giving a heads up on this because I hadn't heard it mentioned elsewhere.