Untold U.S. History from the Atomic Age to Vietnam to Obama’s Drone Wars

[Coyotl]

Academy Award-winning Oliver Stone has teamed up with historian Peter Kuznick to produce a
10-part Showtime series called "Oliver Stone’s Untold History of the United States."
Drawing on archival findings and recently declassified documents, the filmmakers critically examine U.S. history, from the atomic bombing of Japan to the Cold War, to the fall of communism, and continuing all the way through to the Obama administration. Contrary to what’s taught in schools across the country, the filmmakers found the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were militarily unnecessary and morally indefensible. They also suggest the Soviet Union, not the United States, ultimately defeated the Germans in World War II. And, they assert, the United States, not the Soviet Union, bore the lion’s share of responsibility for perpetuating the Cold War. The filmmakers also found U.S. presidents, especially in wartime, have frequently trampled on the Constitution and international law, and they note the United States has brought the world dangerously close to nuclear war by repeatedly brandishing nuclear threats. The first episode of the series aired Monday night on Showtime. For more about this series and the companion book, we are joined by Stone and Kuznick. Click here for Part 2 of this interview. [includes rush transcript]
Guests:

Oliver Stone, three-time Academy Award-winning director and screenwriter. A Vietnam War veteran, he has made around two dozen acclaimed Hollywood films, including Platoon, Wall Street, Salvador, Born on the Fourth of July, JFK, Nixon, W., South of the Border and Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps. Oliver Stone has now co-written a 10-part Showtime series called Oliver Stone’s Untold History of the United States. The first episode launched Monday night on Showtime. It also features a companion book with a similar name.

Peter Kuznick, professor of history and director of the Nuclear Studies Institute at American University. He is the co-writer on a 10-part Showtime series called Oliver Stone’s Untold History of the United States.

http://www.democracynow.org/2012/11/16/oliver_stone_on_the_untold_us

[Warren Stupidity]

1. I look forward to each new episode.

Great series.

[jody]

2. Sad that so many will view the series and believe it is accurate history when historians are deeply

divided on much of it.

I lived through the entire period and served on active duty for much of it.

[emk]

3. Which parts of it are inaccurate?

Historians being divided does not mean the film is not accurate history, anymore than historians being agreed on something makes it accurate history. They could all be wrong!

You'd be more helpful for those watching the series if you pointed out the parts which, in your opinion, are inaccurate.

emk

[jody]

4. I'm busy so why don't you watch the series, study history of the era, and talk with several thousand

veterans who along with their families and assorted civilians survived that era.

I have nothing against such creations to entertain people.

[emk]

6. Nice cop out

Just thought you might back up what you say.

[jody]

8. No, you want someone to do your work for you and that won't be me. nt

[hrmjustin]

5. Welcome to DU and I hope you enjoy the site.

[emk]

7. thanks

I frequent the site, just never signed up and commented before.

emk

[hrmjustin]

9. Your Servant!