Summary: Asian sailors and adventurers helped to form the new country of America.
THE ACTUAL SHOW LENGTH IS 59 MINUTES. THERE ARE SEVERAL VERSIONS OF THIS SHOW DEPENDING ON HOW YOU WANT TO RUN IT.
Crossing East does for Asian American history what Ken Burns' PBS series did for the Civil War. The epic scale of the productions may be the same, but the big difference is that these fascinating stories have rarely been told outside their local settings, and I'm sure have never been brought together in this way in any medium before. They touch on every region of the United States, revealing ever more layers of the nation's complex multi-cultural heritage (to quote one of the many fine experts who participated in the series.)
Interviews and readings of texts from the past are mixed with subtle, evocative sounds and music which give the production a cinematic feeling. The imagination fills in the pictures. The script is extremely well written - and George Takei is an excellent host. (The title "First Contacts" and Takei's Star Trek role are more than just the clever pairing of cultural iconography.)
My initial concern that this first program might try to give a broad overview of the series as a whole proved unfounded. Just as each chapter is a complete story, this hour stands on its own as well. But I'm quite sure it will leave listeners wanting to hear the rest of the series. And since I've already heard some of the stories featured in future episodes, I can tell you they won't be disappointed.
Ideal for May Asian American History month - ideal for any time, any where!
Comments for Crossing East: First Contacts - Program One
This piece belongs to the series "Crossing East - Asian American History series"
Produced by MediaRites Productions - Sara Caswell Kolbet, Ruby de Luna and Dmae Roberts
Other pieces by Dmae Lo Roberts
Rating Summary
1 comment
David Swatling
Posted on April 01, 2006 at 12:07 AM | Permalink
Review of Crossing East: First Contacts - Program One
Crossing East does for Asian American history what Ken Burns' PBS series did for the Civil War. The epic scale of the productions may be the same, but the big difference is that these fascinating stories have rarely been told outside their local settings, and I'm sure have never been brought together in this way in any medium before. They touch on every region of the United States, revealing ever more layers of the nation's complex multi-cultural heritage (to quote one of the many fine experts who participated in the series.)
Interviews and readings of texts from the past are mixed with subtle, evocative sounds and music which give the production a cinematic feeling. The imagination fills in the pictures. The script is extremely well written - and George Takei is an excellent host. (The title "First Contacts" and Takei's Star Trek role are more than just the clever pairing of cultural iconography.)
My initial concern that this first program might try to give a broad overview of the series as a whole proved unfounded. Just as each chapter is a complete story, this hour stands on its own as well. But I'm quite sure it will leave listeners wanting to hear the rest of the series. And since I've already heard some of the stories featured in future episodes, I can tell you they won't be disappointed.
Ideal for May Asian American History month - ideal for any time, any where!