
Why We Fought
America's Wars in Film and History
The University Press of Kentucky
Published on 25. July 2008
Book
Hardback
624 pages
978-0-8131-2493-3 (ISBN)
Description
This book makes a powerful case that film can be as valuable a tool as primary documents for improving our understanding of the causes and consequences of war. Why We Fought: America's Wars in Film and History is a comprehensive look at war films, from depictions of the American Revolution to portrayals of September 11 and its aftermath. The volume contrasts recognized history and historical fiction with the versions appearing on the big screen. The text considers a selection of the pivotal war films of all time, including All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), Sands of Iwo Jima (1949), Apocalypse Now (1979), Platoon (1986), and Saving Private Ryan (1998). Why We Fought reveals how film depictions of the country's wars have shaped our values, politics, and culture, and it offers a unique understanding of American history.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Lexington
United States
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
With dust jacket
Illustrations
143
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 37 mm
Weight
1094 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8131-2493-3 (9780813124933)
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Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2020
The University Press of Kentucky
€18.18
Available for download
Persons
Peter C. Rollins is Regents Professor Emeritus of English and American Film Studies at Oklahoma State University and is former editor of the journal Film & History. He is the coeditor of numerous books, including Hollywood's Indian: The Portrayal of the Native American in Film. John E. O'Connor is professor emeritus of the Federated Department of History at New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University. He is also a founding editor of Film & History and the coeditor of several books.