Takes readers along the diverse paths of documentary history and charts the lively, often fierce debates among filmmakers and scholars about the best ways to represent reality and to tell the truths worth telling. Key subgenres of documentary addressed include public affairs films, government propaganda (particularly the works produced during World War II), historical documentaries, and nature films. The thematic approach permits connections between eras, as well as revealing the on-going nature of documentary core controversies involving objectivity, advocacy, and bias. Interwoven throughout are discussions of the ethical and practical considerations that arise with every aspect of documentary production.

Defining the documentary. Naming -- Form -- Founders -- Cinema verité -- Subgenres. Public affairs -- Government propaganda -- Advocacy -- Historical -- Ethnographic -- Nature -- A note on history and scholarship -- One hundred great documentaries.