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American Experience: A Midwife's Tale DVD

Name: American Experience: A Midwife's Tale DVD
Brand: UNIVERSAL SCREEN ARTS
SKU: WA9282
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.66667 (21 reviews)

$24.99

21 Reviews Write a Review

Item #: WA9282

Based on her personal diary, this program presents a dramatic exploration of the life of Martha Ballard, a woman who lived through the economic boom and bust, and political and social turmoil of the decades following the American Revolution. The video is approximately three minutes longer than the broadcast version.

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Additional Information
Customer Reviews

Additional Information

Bonus Features: PDF file - Teacher's guide.

Producer: Laurie Kahn-Leavitt
Production Year: 1997
Number of Discs: 1
Length: 90 minutes
Language Track: English
Audio Format: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 4x3 Full Screen

Customer Reviews

4.6 21 Reviews

21 Reviews

Andrea

03/20/24

It was wonderful to hear

It was wonderful to hear the actual words of a woman so involved in her community so early in our countrys history. I wish there had been a bit more commentary on the legal and social restraints on women at the time.

Jetblacksea

09/16/21

well done I enjoyed the documentery

I never had any idea untill I watched this how many in the U.S. alone died of it, as they said more then all other wars combined before the 1918 pandemic broke out.

Maggie

09/16/21

Very informative.

Maggie

09/16/21

Very informative.

This story (based on real life) is so interesting. It makes you realize people have always been the same.

Priscilla

09/16/21

What a Woman!!!

I am probably a little predjudice in favor of Martha Moore Ballard as I am a distant cousin. However, that being said, I am in awe of this woman simply as another woman. I cant imagine the personal sacrifices she made for others. She did things I dont think I would have ever done, sometimes for complete strangers. Had she not kept this diary how much would have been lost to history. This DVD is a blessing!!!

Sds

09/16/21

Excellent account

Great story of the pandemic of nearly a century ago as analyzed with modern forensic tools. Gives great insights to not only the medical and social impacts but how we humans fit in the global ecosystem and will always be as vulnerable as any organism residing in it...no matter how much technology we produce.

Quincy

09/16/21

Important Documentation of a Worldwide Calamity

My great aunt died at age 19 in this epidemic. I was born in the 1940s. I had this on VHS tape for years. Definitely wanted to keep it as a reminder of how microorganisms can devastate populations.

Professor G.

09/16/21

Moving Account of an Pandemic

I have used this video repeatedly to show nursing students the horror, pain, and sorrow that the influenza of 1918 caused in the U.S. Very well done and documented. Thank you,

Gale S.

09/16/21

An Incredible Early American Story

I have been searching for this for several years. I remember watching in amazement as this colonial womans life unfolded on the screen. The fact that she delivered over 1,000 babies, and yet only (from memory) two died and she never lost a mother, rivals the physicians of today and makes one understand just how complicated we have made this natural process. Excellent documentary.

Gopherpuck[@]

07/17/20

Riveting and fascinating!

The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 is a part of American and world history that many people have never heard of, but it is a sobering story that needs to be told. This was one of the best episodes of The American Experience series that I have seen.

Sewsheila

07/17/20

Good DVD to add to the collection

I give 4 stars because the movie is what I expected, a supplement to my health lesson on public health in the early 1900s. Many of the phots are all over the internet and video clips on you tube so although it was not five stars, it did seem to validate the lesson.

Lynn

07/17/20

Very interesting

I have been searchingfamily data on ancestry and noted that a number of ancestors neighbors had died as a result of flu. This dvd added so much information. Thank you!

Gallid

07/17/20

Well done

An outstanding review of the 1918 flu pandemic. Useful as teaching examples of epidemiology and infectious disease control

Student78

07/17/20

Great product

Two-day shipping took FIVE days

Chuck

07/17/20

A look back at a tragedy few remember.

Fine show about the terrible influenza outbreak of 1918 that killed more Americans than all the wars of the 20th century combined. Yet few today even are aware it happened.

Jt V.

07/17/20

What a REAL Pandemic looked like!

This is a moving, heartbreaking, and in places... downright creepy documentary about a time largely forgotten by the world. It makes the Hysteria around SARS and H1N1 seem all the more foolish and self-indulgent. This is what a REAL Pandemic looks like!

Carole

07/17/20

Influenza 1918

This film had the excellent footage, interviews, and primary source material that American Experience does so well. I will use it for my high school classes to give a human face to the historic epidemic, particularly as it includes interviews with individuals who lost parents and friends.

Dynamic D.

07/17/20

I did but this video again

I find this movie to be a great thriller but more importantly, it was real and can happen again. The next pandemic will move much faster than in 1918. As a health care professional trying to promote preparedness I find most people dont think the flu is any big thing. Even health care professionals do not get their flu shots. This movie makes the flu important.

Ms A.

07/17/20

Loved it! Some things still like today

Well done, kept my interest throughout the whole story. Not only does it tell of midwifery but it shows colonial life and how human nature has not changed in family situations up to the present time.

Rosebud

07/17/20

This is a great historical movie

This movie show the society history that nothing has changed.

Highlighted Customer Reviews

Night O. reviewed American Experience: A Midwife's Tale DVD

Resonated with me!

I have been a long time supporter of PBS, I know over the years this station has shown informative, humorous, and touching shows.The Midwifes Tale astounded me of the level of professionalism this woman showed and the acceptance of the hardships that went along with it.I watched the bulletins for a replay time (I had told so many nurse friends of mine about it.) Alas! not to be. Since Ive been getting adventurous on the internet with the help of your newsletters, I found your DVD site. Thank YOU.

Rosebud reviewed American Experience: A Midwife's Tale DVD

This is a great historical movie

This movie show the society history that nothing has changed.

Ms A. reviewed American Experience: A Midwife's Tale DVD

Loved it! Some things still like today

Well done, kept my interest throughout the whole story. Not only does it tell of midwifery but it shows colonial life and how human nature has not changed in family situations up to the present time.