A History of Britain: The Complete Collection (2008 Repackage)
starring: History of Britain
directed by: The History Channel
directed by: The History Channel
Price: $99.99
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Product Description:
Studio: A&e Home VideoRelease Date: 12/16/2008
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
Studio: A&e Home VideoRelease Date: 12/16/2008
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
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Wonderful History of Britain!
This is a sweeping overwhelming history of Britain.It is not THE history of Britain but one by Simon Schama, an eclectic historian if there ever was one.Schama covers British history from the beginning to being the bastion of liberty of rights that we know it as today.Perfect?Definitely not but better than most countries.I was drawn up in the history of Britain and was mesmerized by most of it.There are the extraordinary stories that no one can beat.William the Conqueror, Henry II, ... Read More
Rating: - Simply superb.
As a teacher and Anglophile, I think this production is top notch. It's a great overview; not incredibly in-depth, but wonderful none the less.
Rating: - A History of Britain
This is a great product!I've always loved this series, and I am delighted to own it on DVD.
Rating: 
- Why should I put in a title?
I enjoyed this series immensely. It is very fun to watch, filled with action and Schama's trademark wit and accessibility. Even if you're not very interested in history, this is well worth checking out (it's exciting and it makes you feel smart!) And if you are interested in history, you should definitely buy it. However, I must admit that it does tend to spend rather excessive amounts of time on single events, covering all the high points of British history (except the Hundred Years' War) but cutting ... Read More
Rating: - Schoma Does it again
It is a concise fun to watch History of Great Britain. Definate must have for all Historians or just for history buffs
- Wonderful History of Britain!This is a sweeping overwhelming history of Britain.It is not THE history of Britain but one by Simon Schama, an eclectic historian if there ever was one.Schama covers British history from the beginning to being the bastion of liberty of rights that we know it as today.Perfect?Definitely not but better than most countries.I was drawn up in the history of Britain and was mesmerized by most of it.There are the extraordinary stories that no one can beat.William the Conqueror, Henry II, ... Read More
- Simply superb.As a teacher and Anglophile, I think this production is top notch. It's a great overview; not incredibly in-depth, but wonderful none the less.
- A History of BritainThis is a great product!I've always loved this series, and I am delighted to own it on DVD.
- Why should I put in a title?I enjoyed this series immensely. It is very fun to watch, filled with action and Schama's trademark wit and accessibility. Even if you're not very interested in history, this is well worth checking out (it's exciting and it makes you feel smart!) And if you are interested in history, you should definitely buy it. However, I must admit that it does tend to spend rather excessive amounts of time on single events, covering all the high points of British history (except the Hundred Years' War) but cutting ... Read More
- Schoma Does it againIt is a concise fun to watch History of Great Britain. Definate must have for all Historians or just for history buffs
