This book provides a history of the Smithsonian Videohistory Program, including its establishment as a formal pan-Smithsonian research program and its relationship with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. It also surveys written literature and similar projects, addresses videohistory as a methodology by exploring the application of videohistory in historical research (based on 22 Smithsonian projects), and provides an
overview of technical and archival issues. Finally, six people involved with various aspects of the program evaluate the diversity, usefulness, and stylistic preferences of videohistory as a research tool. In addition, the appendixes provide a summary of all Smithsonian videohistory projects, as well as samples of documents needed for undertaking a videohistory project. |
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"… should be standard reading in every oral history program office, university oral history course, group of independent public historians, and organization or agency responsible for cultural resource management projects. Like every excellent publication, [it] leaves us wanting to know more..." -- Tom Charlton, OHMAR Newsletter,
Winter, 1994
"The book is a useful addition to collections on historiographical methods and would be of special interest to ethnic studies faculty who might regard videotaping to be the most appropriate form of collecting historical evidence." -- David L. Severston, Academic Library Book Review, October 1994
"...ideal for the non-professional general reader interested in the development of video and its impact on our culture..." -- The Bookwatch |
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