The program begins with a ten-minute film clip concerning Castros Cuban revolution, the Hungarian revolution, and the post-World War I German and Italian revolutions. Professor Brinton turns form the violence of the film to a calm analysis, as he outlines different kinds of revolution. He schematizes and classifies revolutions to show the pattern that underlies most such experiences. He also contrasts successful and abortive revolutions as well as the observers of Gandhi, Lenin, and Hitler. In conclusion, he asks that feelings of indignation or righteousness be suspended and that the revolution be considered as simply as historical phenomenon which must be understood before it can be approved or condemned. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche) An apt description was prepared by the man who wrote this series Crane Brinton, professor of history at Harvard University. Said Professor Brinton: I am anxious not only to present the drama and human interest of revolutions, which I think the visual materials will make fairly easy, but I also want to have the audience think about these problems: how revolutions come about, what they really achieve, in what ways revolutions are in terms of social psychology pathological or at least abnormal, how it may be possible to achieve necessary social, political, economic changes without the worst phases of revolution. Professor Brinton deals with his topics analytically, dissecting revolutions not by period but by theme, aim, method, success, weakness, or failure. Each episode is enhanced and vividly illustrated by visuals film clips, photographs, cartoons and portraits. The 15 half-hour episodes that comprise this series were originally recorded on videotape. (Description adapted from documents in the NET Microfiche)
