Centennial Revisited: An Oral History of the Epic TV Miniseries

Centennial first aired on NBC in1978-'79.The 12 episodes spanned 26 hours. More than 28 million households watched the first episode on October 1,1978. But due to scheduling and poor promotion, the miniseries never received the recognition it deserved and failed to draw an audience like other large-scale productions during that time. Centennial Revisited draws back the curtain.

This look into the miniseries includes more than 75 interviews with cast, crew, extras, locals, experts, and fans of the epic TV miniseries Centennial. Among those interviewed were Gregory Harrison (Levi Zendt), Barbara Carrera (Clay Basket), Cristina Raines (Lucinda McKeag Zendt), Cliff DeYoung (John Skimmerhorn), William Atherton (Jim Lloyd), Stephen McHattie (Jake Pasquinel), Kario Salem (Mike Pasquinel), Mark Harmon (Captain John McIntosh), and John Wilder, who adapted the novel for television and was the main producer. The book also includes excerpts from more than 60 primary sources.

About the Author

Perry Hibner is a retired journalist and teacher. He worked for 25 years at the Wisconsin State Journal as a sports reporter, sports copy editor, designer, and as assistant sports editor for his last 15 years. The WSJ sports section was recognized multiple times by the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.

He also worked for a decade as the communications director for the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District. The district's newsletters, website, video production and other tools were recognized consistently with Wisconsin School Public Relations Association Spectrum Awards. He worked as a social studies and journalism teacher at Green Lake High School in Wisconsin and continues to fill in as a substitute teacher in retirement. He also served as the lead survey strategist for The Donovan Group, helping Midwest school districts engage their staff, students, families, and communities.

Hibner lives in Middleton, Wisconsin, with his wife, Sheila. He has three grown children.