Adopting a decade by decade approach the authors demonstrate how different images of American culture and society are presented by films made in different decades. Films discussed include The Best Years of Our Lives, Mildred Pierce, Rebel Without a Cause, Bonnie and Clyde, Jaws, The Deerhunter, On Golden Pond,, and E.T. Cover illustration shows a scene from Easy Rider (1969( with Peter Fonda.