America’s Book of Secrets Season 1 2012 DVD Release Date
- Actors: n, a
- Directors: The History Channel
- Format: Box set, Color, NTSC
- Language: English
- Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 3
- Rated: NR (Not Rated)
- Studio: A&E HOME VIDEO
- DVD Release Date: September 18, 2012
- Run Time: 300 minutes
Customer Reviews
Another of the History Channel's increasing roster of infotainment programs, "America's Book of Secrets" is one that is decidedly hit or miss. Playing up speculation, myth, and even scandal, the show aims to be somewhat provocative but, more often the not, comes across as a bit silly. I mean, really, there is an episode about the Playboy Mansion! I certainly don't have anything against Hef and the girls, but the episode seems ill-fitting at best and completely overblown at worst. And for a show that promises secrets, many of the episodes offer very little new material (especially if you have a pre-existing interest in and knowledge of the topic). Instead of straightforward profiles, in most cases the show attempts to sensationalize its subjects. So we've got myth and speculation, conspiracy theories, and factual specifics all wrapped up in a docuseries that is overflowing with self importance. If you watch History Channel offerings with frequency, you'll know what I mean. Even the most mundane declarations are stated in such an overheated way! It can be off-putting to new viewers, but it's something that has provided much amusement in my life.
I'm not trying to discourage anyone from sampling "America's Book of Secrets" as it might appeal to those that love the National Treasure films or Dan Brown books or Brad Meltzer's Decoded. I'm just trying to set appropriate expectations for new viewers of History fare. The program is fun enough, but it works much better as entertainment (to my mind) than as a source of real information.
DVD Specifics: The set features the ten episodes of Season One plus the Bonus Special that launched the entire enterprise (let's just call it eleven episodes for the sake of ease) spread over 3 discs. Each show clocks in at around 47 minutes so you're getting roughly 8.5 hours of material including the added bonus show. The DVD has English and Spanish subtitle options.
Episodes:
(1) The White House, (2) Free Masons, (3) Fort Knox, (4) Area 51, (5) The Playboy Mansion, (6) Presidential Transports, (7) The FBI, (8) West Point, (9) Black Ops, and (10) The Pentagon.
Bonus Episode: The Monuments
If you are completely unfamiliar with the History series format, I might suggest sampling an episode (they repeat with frequency) before making the full investment. My guess, this will either really appeal to you or it will really not. While I enjoyed some of the episodes more than others, the series never really qualified as must-see destination television for me. KGHarris, 9/12.
Product Description
From beyond the indestructible armored doors of Fort Knox to the unexplained ritualistic symbols of the Freemasons, H2 acquires the exclusive key in AMERICA’S BOOK OF SECRETS and exposes the mysteries of these iconic networks guarded throughout time via a feature-length special that leads into a ten episode exploration including The White House, The Pentagon, Area 51, Freemasons, Fort Knox, Presidential Transports, The Playboy Mansion, Black Ops, The FBI and West Point.
DVD Release Date on America’s Book of Secrets Season 1 2012
