A History of Britain - The Complete Collection
starring: Simon Schama, Michael Kitchen, Samuel West, Lindsay Duncan, David Threlfall
Price: $74.69
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Amazon.com:
What do you get when you combine the resources and ethos of the BBC with the literary panache of one of the world's best narrative historians? The answer is Simon Schama's History of Britain television series. In this well-written and thoughtfully crafted survey, Schama, the bestselling author of books on European cultural history such as The Embarrassment of Riches and Citizens, has managed to be both conventional and provocative. He tells the official version of Britain's story--Roman Britain, the Norman Conquest, the struggles of the Henrys and Richards, Elizabeth I, Scottish rebellions and the English Civil Wars, the American Revolution, the growth of the British Empire, Queen Victoria, the industrial age, and Winston Churchill. But while sticking to a script familiar to anyone who sat up and listened during history class, Schama brings it all alive with memorable prose and presence--Simon de Montfort's rebel parliament is described as inaugurating the "union between patriotism and insubordination"; with Henry VIII, Schama says, "you could practically smell the testosterone." Schama is also particularly enlightening on the symbolism of buildings, memorials, language, and ceremonies, and on the complex relations between England and its Celtic and Catholic neighbors. If history must have gloss, then let it be presented like this. --Miles Taylor
Description:
From the dawn of civilization to the 20th century, A HISTORY OF BRITAIN re-animates familiar tales and illuminates overlooked aspects of England's past. Written and hosted by historian Simon Schama (the bestselling author of Rembrandt's Eyes and The Embarrassment of Riches), this monumental The History Channel®/BBC co-production has been hailed by critics for its colorful--and controversial--approach, which discards timelines and tiresome lineages for a lively look at the personalities and cultures that infuse British history.
From India to Ireland, the Norman Invasion to the American Revolution, Schama spotlights the epic themes and towering figures that transformed an island "at the edge of the world" into the greatest empire on earth, examining the impact of this extraordinary heritage on the modern nation.
All 15 episodes of the landmark series are available on DVD for the first time in this extraordinary collector's set that belongs in the library of every history buff. Beginnings, Conquest, Dynasty, Nations, King Death, Burning Convictions, The Body of the Queen, The British Wars, Revolutions, Britannia Incorporated, The Wrong Empire, Forces of Nature, Victoria and herSisters, Empire of Good Intentions, The Two Winstons.
What do you get when you combine the resources and ethos of the BBC with the literary panache of one of the world's best narrative historians? The answer is Simon Schama's History of Britain television series. In this well-written and thoughtfully crafted survey, Schama, the bestselling author of books on European cultural history such as The Embarrassment of Riches and Citizens, has managed to be both conventional and provocative. He tells the official version of Britain's story--Roman Britain, the Norman Conquest, the struggles of the Henrys and Richards, Elizabeth I, Scottish rebellions and the English Civil Wars, the American Revolution, the growth of the British Empire, Queen Victoria, the industrial age, and Winston Churchill. But while sticking to a script familiar to anyone who sat up and listened during history class, Schama brings it all alive with memorable prose and presence--Simon de Montfort's rebel parliament is described as inaugurating the "union between patriotism and insubordination"; with Henry VIII, Schama says, "you could practically smell the testosterone." Schama is also particularly enlightening on the symbolism of buildings, memorials, language, and ceremonies, and on the complex relations between England and its Celtic and Catholic neighbors. If history must have gloss, then let it be presented like this. --Miles Taylor
Description:
From the dawn of civilization to the 20th century, A HISTORY OF BRITAIN re-animates familiar tales and illuminates overlooked aspects of England's past. Written and hosted by historian Simon Schama (the bestselling author of Rembrandt's Eyes and The Embarrassment of Riches), this monumental The History Channel®/BBC co-production has been hailed by critics for its colorful--and controversial--approach, which discards timelines and tiresome lineages for a lively look at the personalities and cultures that infuse British history.
From India to Ireland, the Norman Invasion to the American Revolution, Schama spotlights the epic themes and towering figures that transformed an island "at the edge of the world" into the greatest empire on earth, examining the impact of this extraordinary heritage on the modern nation.
All 15 episodes of the landmark series are available on DVD for the first time in this extraordinary collector's set that belongs in the library of every history buff. Beginnings, Conquest, Dynasty, Nations, King Death, Burning Convictions, The Body of the Queen, The British Wars, Revolutions, Britannia Incorporated, The Wrong Empire, Forces of Nature, Victoria and herSisters, Empire of Good Intentions, The Two Winstons.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- What a gem!
God bless Simon Schama!
Look at my other reviews:I'm a curmudgeon who dumps on virtually everything that passes his way.
But I have nary a slight for this masterful set of DVDs.Entertaining, well-written, thoroughly absorbing.And you find yourself not minding the nerdy intrusions of the almost spastic Schama throughout.
I've watched it over and over again.Probably five times by this point.Though the first installment on the neolithic guys is my least ... Read More
Rating: - The History of Great Britain
A superlative effort. Very informative and well thought out. Covers iconic events... doesn't try to do it all .
Rating: - History of Britain
This is a great buy for the money.Provides many hours pleasant viewing for the British enthusiast.Starts with the earliest days of history and takes you down through the years.The scenery is great and all of the episodes kept me interested.I really recommend this set.
Rating: - Wonderful history. He makes it interesting.
Excellent history. It's great to watch and quite well organized. Simon Schama is an interesting and somewhat animated person to watch. Loved it!
Rating: - No One Tells it Like Simon Schama
There is no one quite like Simon Schama.He makes the history of Britain coherent, understandable, and unique, and he has the ability to help the viewer comprehend the great achievements of Britain while being honest, humorous, informative, clear and articulate in the presentation.His stories and visuals are very well chosen. He is one of only a fewpresenters of history in video - Bronowski and Clark come to mind - who can stimulate the mind and excite the viewer through audio and visual imagery ... Read More
- What a gem!God bless Simon Schama!
Look at my other reviews:I'm a curmudgeon who dumps on virtually everything that passes his way.
But I have nary a slight for this masterful set of DVDs.Entertaining, well-written, thoroughly absorbing.And you find yourself not minding the nerdy intrusions of the almost spastic Schama throughout.
I've watched it over and over again.Probably five times by this point.Though the first installment on the neolithic guys is my least ... Read More
- The History of Great BritainA superlative effort. Very informative and well thought out. Covers iconic events... doesn't try to do it all .
- History of BritainThis is a great buy for the money.Provides many hours pleasant viewing for the British enthusiast.Starts with the earliest days of history and takes you down through the years.The scenery is great and all of the episodes kept me interested.I really recommend this set.
- Wonderful history. He makes it interesting.Excellent history. It's great to watch and quite well organized. Simon Schama is an interesting and somewhat animated person to watch. Loved it!
- No One Tells it Like Simon SchamaThere is no one quite like Simon Schama.He makes the history of Britain coherent, understandable, and unique, and he has the ability to help the viewer comprehend the great achievements of Britain while being honest, humorous, informative, clear and articulate in the presentation.His stories and visuals are very well chosen. He is one of only a fewpresenters of history in video - Bronowski and Clark come to mind - who can stimulate the mind and excite the viewer through audio and visual imagery ... Read More
