The Encyclopedia of American Television: Broadcast Programming Post World War II to 2000

There is no denying the influence television has had on Americans over the past fifty years. The Encyclopedia of 20th-Century American Television is a true celebration of the medium as well as a fact-filled reference. It provides an entertaining historical guide to the programs, personalities, and practices of network television from its early days to the end of the last century. From game shows to the nightly news, from sitcoms to serious dramas and everything in between, more than 1,000 entries provide story synopses, biographies, production histories, air dates, and much more.

Also featured are two appendixes -- the top-rated programs from 1952-1999 and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Annual Emmy Award winners from the second half of the twentieth century. More than 130 photographs, many of them rare, round out this great survey of television culture in the past century. Easy to use and fun to read, The Encyclopedia of 20th-Century American Television is sure to delight T.V.-watchers everywhere.

Nearly three years ago, Facts On File published Lackmann's excellent The Encyclopedia of American Radio: An A-Z Guide to Radio from Jack Benny to Howard Stern. Its companion volume is just as valuable, in addition to being fun to read and use. Similar in scope and format to its predecessor, American Television presents more than 1000 capsule descriptions of all major network and syndicated television series from 1947 through 2000, with entries for primary television personalities also included. The attention to detail that characterized American Radio is evident here as well, with listings of broadcast schedules, network information, and show trivia included in each description. In addition, Lackmann offers two excellent appendixes: a listing of the top-rated programs from 1952 to 1999 (divided by television season and including yearly ratings for each program) and Emmy Award winners from 1948 to 1999. Black-and-white photographs accompany the major entries, and the book's index makes it easy to find your favorite program or performer. Alex McNeil's Total Television has a similar setup but only goes up to 1995, and while Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh's The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 7th ed., covers cable, unlike Lackmann's book, it cuts off at 1998. Overall, then, American Television is the most current, concise, and affordable work available on the subject. This important reference will be used by public and academic libraries for many years and is highly recommended.-David M. Lisa, West Long Branch P.L., NJ Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.