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By today’s standards, the idea of a constitutional amendment banning alcohol in the U.S. seems preposterous, oppressive, and just plain naïve. But 92 years ago, when the National Prohibition Act passed, it was widely backed. Of course, Prohibition was eventually repealed, but not before it had far-reaching consequences on American gender relations, crime, popular culture, and politics. A new three-part documentary series called "Prohibition" tells this uniquely American story on PBS, beginning October 2.

It took six years for Ken Burns to complete his new seven-part, 15-hour epic documentary, “The War.” This World War II documentary weaves interviews with ordinary Americans from four small towns with rare photos and footage. World War II is often referred to as “The Good War,” but the film ...