From 1959 to 1964 I was glued to our little 12-inch TV
screen watching an anthology series that fascinated, scared, intrigued, amused
and bewitched me all at the same time.
Each week The Twilight Zone offered a journey into the
shadowy realm of things that ‘might’ happen populated by strange people and
creatures perched on the rim of imagination.
A
Critical History Of Television’s The Twilight Zone 1959-1964, written
and researched by Don Presnell and Marty McGee, and published by McFarland & Company, Inc., gets into
the meat and bones of what made the series so popular and ground-breaking.
The complete history of the show, an episode guide,
critical and eye-opening commentaries and in-depth analyses delve into what
made the series a showcase about humanity’s fears, prejudices, violent tendencies,
phobias and individual’s search for the truth and identity.
It’s an the most exhaustive compilation of facts and
analysis about The Twilight Zone you can find anywhere.
On a lighter note, A
History Of Television Animation America Toons In, written by David
Perlmutter, delves into animated cartoons that TV has offered to the public
over the last decades up until present time.
The book examines the genre, lists and delves into the
various animation studios, examines the effect cartoons has on the public (primarily
children) and how individual cartoon series impacted the times they were a part
of.
From political, religious, societal and ethical
commentaries and parodies to pure slapstick humor TV cartoons have had an enormous
impact on society as a whole.
The book explains and explores said impact, the critics,
skeptics and supporters.
TV animation is just now being examined for its cultural influence
and relevance.
The book offers a unique perspective about TV animation
and makes for a thought-provoking analysis and observation.