Democracy In America - Single Episodes


(5 stars; 6 reviews)

DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA

Democracy in America is a well-produced dramatization of Alexis de Tocqueville’s book of the same name. These fourteen, thirty-minute episodes follow Tocqueville and his companion, Gustave de Beaumont, from their landing in New York in May of 1831 through their departure nine months later, with the final episode twenty years later. The series is an educational one, produced Division of General Education of New York University in conjunction with the Fund for Adult Education. Although educational the production are far from dry, pedantic lectures. They are high quality programs with music, sound effects, and good acting (even with their rather thick accents). Tocqueville was played by Barry Morse and Beaumont by Alan King. The weekly programs originally aired on NBC and CBC starting in January of 1962. They were under the direction of historian George Probst and produced by Andrew Allan in the studios of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. This collection includes two preview programs that air immediately before the series in which historian Dorothy Gordon hosted panel discussions on topics relating to the series. The book, "Democracy in America" by Alexis de Tocqueville was published in two volumes in 1835 and 1840 respectively. From the Old Time Radio Researcher's Group. See "Note" Section below for more information on the OTRR.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.

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Reviews

Thank You, uploader- Very good!


(5 stars)

The description of the program is correct (well acted, etc). It's also humorous in a few spots, too! I was really impressed with how good it was. The audio sound is perfect. Even with my historical background I learned quite a bit from this show. What a GEM it is! Oh if only they would make programs like this again, but the only ones they make now will have curse words, pop references, sex scenes and be incredibly dumbed down and "corrected" so not to offend the perpetually offensive. This is not a reading OF "Democracy in America" but a novel dramatization, and it DOES do it some justice, I assure you, even if it is in "prime time" format. Adorable, funny, witty, and darn good. I wish there were more shows like this! My compliments to the file uploader!! What a great job.

should be required for every American, and every freedom lover


(5 stars)

Although not the book itself, the vignettes captured in this radio show capture many of the salient points that De Tocqueville makes about American [liberal] democracy. In this series you will come to understand life in America in the 1830s as well as the key ingredients necessary to attain and keep freedom. It is very interesting that forces are at work in our society today to destroy these key foundations that made our country great. namely: education, a free and vibrant press, the legal system, and the values that made our society successful (morality, integrity, industriousness, self-reliance, etc.)

These are wonderful.


(5 stars)

I wonder if this series is ever used in any school. The children would be fascinated by it and learn at the same time. It is not boring. It is like watching a fun very long movie that you pause and play any time you wish.