The BBC's A History of Britain by Simon Schama

[BenReilly]

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I was wondering if anyone has watched this and, if so, would they recommend it. Please do not explain the limitations squeezing the entire history of a nation in 15 hours as I am well acquainted with books. Simply put, is this worth watching?

[MikeLastort2]

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I was wondering if anyone has watched this and, if so, would they recommend it. Please do not explain the limitations squeezing the entire history of a nation in 15 hours as I am well acquainted with books. Simply put, is this worth watching?

I have it and I think it's fantastic!

[Prawn Sandwich]

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I was wondering if anyone has watched this and, if so, would they recommend it. Please do not explain the limitations squeezing the entire history of a nation in 15 hours as I am well acquainted with books. Simply put, is this worth watching?
Yes - watched it the first time around over here and enjoyed it immensely. Spreads the focus around pretty fairly considering the timespan it looks to cover and the presenter is good as well, enthusiastic without being condescending

[BenReilly]

Thanks guys!

[Prawn Sandwich]

Thanks guys!
No worries - if you do go ahead and get a copy then come back here and let us know whether you enjoyed it or not. I'm sure others would appreciate a review of it.....

[YankHibee]

I haven't seen it. Historiographically, what perspective would you say it is from?

[Prawn Sandwich]

I haven't seen it. Historiographically, what perspective would you say it is from?
To be honest I couldn't say - the writer/presenter is a well-regarded historian in his own right and would have researched the programme from multiple texts.

Maybe the box-set carries an "extras" DVD which would cover off the background on the research etc - Mike would be in a better position to clarify this as I saw the programme when it was shown initially on the BBC

[MikeLastort2]

No extras disk. It's the same exact series as was presented on the Beeb.

I haven't read any of Schama's books. I should correct that error. His series was very engaging.

[Labdarugo]

Highly recommended. His style is to present the history of England through the personalities and personal dramas of the key players. Entertaining, engaging, and informative approach that makes the material come alive and feel very "human" (for a lack of a better word).

I actually met him at the Newark airport recently when we were both waiting to board the same flight to London. Nice guy. Personable and humble. It was a distinct and singular pleasure to be able to personally tell the writer and presenter of my favorite history program EVER how much I enjoyed his work. :cool:

He said he's currently completing a series for the BBC on the great artists of Europe. It won't air here for a few more PBS years yet.

[KevTheGooner]

I've heard this is outstanding. MY sister-in-law took that guys classes at Harvard, I believe.

[Rick B]

I was wondering if anyone has watched this and, if so, would they recommend it. Please do not explain the limitations squeezing the entire history of a nation in 15 hours as I am well acquainted with books. Simply put, is this worth watching?

Ben, I watched the series on TV and have read 3 of the books. (Did them in the order of interest rather than date though!!!) I'm on the 1603 - 1776 at the moment which is a signed copy. Schama is a great political narrator and his accounts of the decline and fall of the British Empire are without question some of the best around. For an American he has a lot of knowledge about Britain..... ;)

Note the ;) everyone!!

[DoctorD]

Does it explain about the poor state of dentistry there?

[Prawn Sandwich]

Does it explain about the poor state of dentistry there?
No but it does go far enough back in time to cover off the first time that "joke" was made :rolleyes:

[KevTheGooner]

For an American he has a lot of knowledge about Britain..... ;)

I guess since our history is only about 300 years we get bored and have to go learn someone elses?? :D

[Mel Brennan]

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006RCKI.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I was wondering if anyone has watched this and, if so, would they recommend it. Please do not explain the limitations squeezing the entire history of a nation in 15 hours as I am well acquainted with books. Simply put, is this worth watching?

Yes.

[Dave_M]

I guess since our history is only about 300 years we get bored and have to go learn someone elses?? :D

The prospect of drawing USA in a World Cup has me pondering the appropriateness of the traditional "you aint got no history" songs at club level. Rare when it can be broken out for an internaitonal match :)

[Andy Bennett]

For an American he has a lot of knowledge about Britain..... ;)

Note the ;) everyone!!
Presumably referring to this...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Schama

'The son of second-generation immigrant Jewish parents with roots in Lithuania and Turkey, Schama was born in London in February 1945; '

[DoctorJones24]

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I was wondering if anyone has watched this and, if so, would they recommend it. Please do not explain the limitations squeezing the entire history of a nation in 15 hours as I am well acquainted with books. Simply put, is this worth watching?

Ben, are you considering buying this, or does a library near you have it? I'm having trouble finding a copy.

[BenReilly]

Ben, are you considering buying this, or does a library near you have it? I'm having trouble finding a copy.

I just ordered it from Amazon. I was looking for some British comedy boxed sets and ran across it by chance. I had heard about it before, but never really gave it much thought.

Here's a link. The only problem is that it says it takes 1-2 months to arrive. You could also buy it from a third party on Amazon, but I'm wary of getting pirated copies.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006RCKI/102-6772935-0551332?v=glance&n=130&s=dvd&v=glance

I just checked at it's also available from Deepdiscountdvd.com. They're a very reliable business. In fact, I should have bought it from them since they don't mention anything about a long shipping delay.

http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com/dvd.cfm?itemid=ANE070446

[HerthaBerwyn]

Its been airing on History International In the US. I really like it. He covers broad themes through stories not always of the mainplayers. His 20th Century for example contrasts Winston Churchill and Eric Blair. (Orwell)