Documentary Film

A Very Short Introduction

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by Patricia Aufderheide

Type

Studies

Subject

Genre > Documentary

Keywords

documentary

Publishing date

2026 (July 01, 2026)

Publisher

Oxford University Press

1st publishing

2007

Language

English

Relative size

Physical desc.

Paperback • 176 pages
5 x 7 inches (13 x 17.5 cm)

ISBN

978-0-19-779826-3

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Book Presentation:
Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring

In this Very Short Introduction, Patricia Aufderheide 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.

Beginning with an overview of the central issues of documentary filmmaking, Aufderheide focuses on several of its key subgenres, including public affairs films, government propaganda (particularly works produced during World War II), historical documentaries, and nature films. Interwoven throughout are discussions of the ethical and practical considerations that arise with every aspect of documentary production.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

About the Author:
Patricia Aufderheide is University Professor of Communication Studies in the School of Communication at American University in Washington, D.C. She founded the Center for Social Media, now the Center for Media & Social Impact, where she is Senior Research Fellow.

See the publisher website: Oxford University Press