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History Detectives
(Rated TV-G, Educational, Starring C. Wesley Cowan, Elyse Luray-Marx, Gwen Wright, Where to watch: PBS, Download)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Lively series reveals history's everyday secrets.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
About History Detectives
Parents need to know that this educational series follows experts who try to uncover long-hidden mysteries submitted by viewers. The topics are wide-ranging (from the Civil War to Mickey Mouse to Charles Lindbergh), and most of the investigations center on a particular object. Weapons are presented in a historical context -- for example, one investigation centers on a gun that may have been owned by an infamous Nazi. Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are also occasionally presented in historical context (examples: a Whiskey Rebellion flask and a Chinese opium scale). The show's investigators demonstrate that history is fascinating, fun, and occasionally frustrating (when they run into dead ends), and they keep viewers in the loop as they combine forensics, appraisals, ballistics, and other techniques to solve their cases. The show moves at a lively pace (three mysteries are investigated in each hour-long episode), but most cases present a good bit of historical detail, so younger kids who aren't into history may lose interest.
Read our full review by Ellen Dendy
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how the investigators solved the mystery and can use the program as a jumping-off point for further research. How did the investigators use a combination of tools and techniques to get to the bottom of things? How would you go about answering a historical question? Families can also research their own history to learn more about their ancestors. Are there any mysterious items in your family that you could submit to the program for possible investigation?
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