Oliver Stone's USA: Film, History, and Controversy

by Robert A. Rosenstone

Book Overview

Challenging audiences and leaving critics in disarray, the films of Oliver Stone have compelled viewers to reexamine many of their most revered beliefs about America's past. Like no other filmmaker, Stone has left an indelible mark on public opinion and political life, even as he has generated enormous controversy and debate among those who take issue with his dramatic use of history.

This book brings Stone face-to-face with some of his most...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0700612572
• ISBN13: 9780700612574
• Release Date: June 2000
• Publisher: University Press of Kansas
• Length: 340 Pages
• Weight: 1.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Decent book

I needed it for a class, but probably ordered it a little late. Good book though, thanks so much!

Great Work Of Debate And Intellectual Issues.

Oliver Stone is one of the most brilliant and provocative filmmakers working today and in this book we get a great taste of the debate over his work from both sides of the field. The book as a whole is very readable and never boring. Stone fans (like myself) and Stone bashers alike will get a good kick out of this book. The essay and responses to critics that Stone writes are fascinating, informative and speak to the free intellectual spirit and as in his great movies, Stone comes out as a man who really is aware of how the world works. I admire his writing here because it is an encouragement to people to educate themselves and read and do their own research and open their eyes. This book can be provocative intellectually and generally. The critics of Stone here also make some points, but not strong enough in my opinion, Stephen Ambrose comes off as a false historian who does not look at historical events from more than one angle or opinion. Stone easily dismisses his weak attacks. There is also a great deal of good dissection of the Stone films mentioned here which range from "Salvador" to "Nixon." Rock enthusiasts will like the article dealing with Stone's film on Jim Morrison, "The Doors" and Stone's own comments on Morrison and his music. The most provocative articles are those on the two most fiery political films Stone has made, "JFK" and "Nixon." These are provocative pieces because Stone challenges our views of official history and dares us to look behind the veils of the news, historians and some writings. This is not just a book for film buffs or Stone fans and critics, it is a book for people who enjoy good, smart debating and dissections of intellectual arguments. I enjoyed it because it is a breather for people looking for a really smart book. And yes, film buffs should definately read it because it deals greatly with how movies handle fact and fiction and it has important things to say on the role of the cinema in society and art in general. A fascinating, provocative and enjoyable book.

"Lunch Is For Wimps!"

Since "Salvador" in 1985, Oliver Stone has kept humorless historians, political journalists and right wing reactionaries flinching."Platoon" (1986) was the first motion picture that actually depicted the lives of the "grunts" fighting in Vietnam, completely oliberating the absolute stupidity of John Wayne's jingositic film of "The Green Berets" in 1968."Born On The Fourth of July" portrayed the pain and suffering of many Vietnam vets returning home to a society that seemed callous and indifferent.In 1991, Stone became the first commercial filmmaker with any clout to take on the morass of details surrounding the Kennedy assassination.Can a man who makes movies based on historical events actually be classified as an historian?That seems to be the fundamental question surrounding "Oliver Stone's USA," a fabulous new book, edited by Brent Toplin.The first section of the book is devoted to a series of essays, both pro and con Stone, from writers like David Halberstam and Steven Ambrose (who writes a particularly nasty piece on "Nixon").The book's second section gives Stone a chance to respond to the critics and that he does eloquently (noting at one point that neither Stephen Ambrose nor John Wayne ever served a minute in combat).The volume of attacks on Stone for "JFK" from political pundits like George Will, Alexander Cockburn, Tom Wicker et al may have been prompted by the knowledge that Stone reaches more people with one showing of his films that they do writing a lifetime of columns."Oliver Stone's USA" is a book that should be read by anyone who has an interest in both the power of motion pictures and the dark side of recent American history.