Jerome L. Rodnitzky

The book is a photographic essay about a 1920s West Texas oil boomtown, Breckenridge, using 100 of the images of local photographer, Basil Clemons. On a larger scale, however, it is a photographic record of the cultural roots of modern America. Most historians would agree that modern American culture began after World War I and took shape in the 1920s. The twenties featured such modern cultural fare as widespread auto ownership, big-time sports, and the first mesmerizing mass media--radio and cinema. Basil Clemons never saw himself as the photographer of modern American culture, but that is what he has become to us. His photographs will remain American--and Texas--treasures, because they so vividly captured that formative modern, national, Jazz-Age culture. (The authors)

"In the preface, the volume editors emphasize the importance of using film in teaching history: students will see historical films, and if they are not taught critical viewing, they will be inclined simply to accept what they see as fact. Authors of the individual chapters then explore the portrayal of history - and the uses of history - in specific films and film genres." "The cumulative effect is to increase the reader's understanding of the medium of film in portraying history and to stimulate the imagination as to how it can be and how it should not be used. Students and teachers of history and cinema will benefit deeply from this informative and thoughtful discussion."--BOOK JACKET.