Losers Are Pirates: A Close Look at Pbs Series "Vietnam" : A Television History

During the 1960s and 1970s, Vietnam became an important part of the history of the U.S. Much of what Americans learned about the fighting and the politics came from new reports that brought the conflict into our homes. As one of the most potent vehicles of communication in the modern era, television provided a significant part of the day-to-day story that was the Vietnam War. In 1983, Public Television (PBS) broadcast a 13-part documentary series called "Vietnam: A Television History." Although acclaimed by its creators as a 'Iandmark' television production, the series has been criticized as a biased and inaccurate presentation of the war's history. LOSERS ARE PIRATES : A CLOSE LOOK AT THE PBS SERIES "VIETNAM: A TELEVISION HISTORY" supports the contention of critics that the program gives a distorted and misleading view of the Vietnam War. In this analysis of the series, writer James Banerian highlights the program's structural biases and shows how the series is a narrow and untrustworthy account of the war's history. This important analysis of the distortions created and perpetuated by the media is a vital corrective to the PBS Series. LOSERS ARE PIRATES is an interesting and useful contribution to bring truth back to the historical record of the Vietnam War. Many of the omissions, misinterpretations and instances of bias in the PBS series are pointed out by Banerian in this valuable effort to set the record straight. To understand Vietnam, one must first know how to separate fact from fiction. LOSERS ARE PIRATES is an essential guide to understanding the war. Drawing from a wide variety of sources, Banenian challenges the assertion that the PBS series is an objective and accurate portrayal of the war. It is an invaluable text for anyone who is a serious student of the Vietnam War. The book is a devastating assault on television's interpretation of the war and the media's overall influence on the perceptions of the American people. LOSERS ARE PIRATES is an indispensable tool for readers interested in questions regarding the media's role in informing and educating the public. Although the book focuses upon the PBS series, much of the contained information assembled by Banerian provides insight into the complex issues surrounding the political and military involvement in Vietnam. LOSERS ARE PIRATES is a substantial contribution to the historical record of the Vietnam War.. . and should be read by everyone interested in the accuracy of the war's history.