EYEWITNESS: 1980-1989

The BBC's Eyewitness series on the twentieth century builds on the idea that journalism is the first draft of history. While Tim Pigott-Smith's narration deftly holds it all together, the real treasures in this volume are the broadcasts and interviews from the BBC Archive. The most memorable: the British radio host in the Falklands who stays on the air as Argentine soldiers overrun the station; the soccer commentator describing the horror of the Bradford stadium fire; the street interviews during the Brixton race riots. North American listeners will find some of the material confusing--the squabbles on British politics and victories on the cricket pitch--but this recording has international appeal for history buffs. D.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/ MAY 06]