August 10.
PBS presents the National Geographic Special “Survivors of the Skeleton Coast,’' a onehour documentary on the desert-dwelling animals of the Skeleton Coast in Namibia. Wildlife experts Des and Jen Bartlett travel across the southwest African country to show how a variety of animals have adapted to the harsh environment of this region. Air time: 8 p.m. (EDT).
August 11.
As part of its New Explorers series, PBS offers “Profile in Terror/Mystery Through the Lens,’' an hour-long documentary. The first half of the show demonstrates how computers, lasers, DNA fingerprints, and psychological profiles can assist the FBI in solving crimes. The second half examines the work of microscopist Walter McCrone, who proved that the Shroud of Turin is not 2,000 years old. Air time: 8 p.m. (EDT).
August 15.
PBS airs “The Story of Lassie,’' a biographical tribute that celebrates 50 years of Lassie films, books, and television shows. The one-hour special, hosted by actress June Lockhart, features film clips, photographs, and archive footage, along with interviews with the many stars-- Roddy McDowell, Janet Leigh, and Lorne Michaels, among them--who have shared the screen with the beloved collie. Air time: 8 p.m. (EDT).
August 20-October 15.
C-SPAN televises complete historical re-enactments of the famous “Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858.’' These seven debates, considered by many historians to be the most famous rhetorical exchanges in American political history, are staged over a two-month period at the original Illinois debate sites, with local residents playing candidate Abraham Lincoln and incumbent senator Stephen Douglas. Each live, six-hour program features a three-hour debate surrounded by two 90minute segments of contextual programming. Check local listings for the exact dates. Air time: 1 p.m. (EDT).
August 27.
As part of its Great Books series, The Learning Channel presents “The Art of War,’' narrated by actor Donald Sutherland. In this episode, scholars, writers, and other experts explore the book The Art of War, which was written more than 2,500 years ago by Chinese military general Sun Tzu, to see how the author’s theories of military strategy and his views on the philosophical differences between East and West relate to today’s military and economic conflicts. Air time: 10 p.m. (EDT).
