AllMovie

The votes in the 2008 presidential election have been cast, and as the citizens of the United States struggle to remain optimistic in the wake of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Enron, and Baghdad, cultural critic Simon Schama explores America's frustrating attempts to come to terms with its own limits. At the dawn of the 21st Century, military woes and domestic anxieties were growing. In order to gain a greater understanding of the present situation, the filmmakers behind The American Future: A History, take a compelling look into our nation's past. Perhaps by finding contemporary counterparts such legendary historical figures as Henry Ford, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson, and General Lucius Clay and revisiting crucial moments in American history, we can gain a glimpse into our nation's potential future. At the moment of truth, perhaps our best hope is to take a cue from the history books and consider the wisdom of our forefathers.