World History & Culture

The French Revolution (History Channel)

On July 14 1789 a mob of angry Parisians stormed the Bastille and seized the King's military stores. A decade of idealism war murder and carnage followed bringing about the end of feudalism and the rise of equality and a new world order.THE FRENCH REVOLUTION is a definitive feature-length documentary that encapsulates this heady (and often headless) period in Western civilization. With dramatic reenactments illustrations and paintings from the era plus revealing accounts from journals and expert commentary from historians THE FRENCH REVOLUTION vividly unfurls in a maelstrom of violence discontent and fundamental change. King Louis XVI Marie Antoinette Maximilien Robespierre and Napoleon Bonaparte lead a cast of thousands in this essential program from THE HISTORY CHANNEL®.Narrated by Edward Herrmann (The Aviator Gilmore Girls) THE FRENCH REVOLUTION explores the legacy that--now more than ever--stands as both a warning and a guidepost to a new millennium.System Requirements: Running Time 100 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 733961718492 Manufacturer No: AAE-71849

Hitler in Colour

The producers of the internationally acclaimed and award-winning In Colour DVD series now bring Hitler in Colour, a telling story of the rise and fall of a man who devastated the lives of countless numbers of people around the world. For 12 years, Hitler's overpowering personality dominated the German nation. He led his people from economic ruin in European conquest and to the brink of creating a New World Order. In his wake, he brought a reign of terror that caused death to millions. Drawing from recently discovered German film collections that comprise hours of previously unseen color footage, and woven with eyewitness testimony, Hitler in Colour tells the astonishing and disturbing story as never before. Narrated by Emmy Award winning British actor Brian Cox.

Walking with Monsters - Life Before Dinosaurs

Many people think of the dinosaurs as the first inhabitants of the earth, but this prequel to Walking With Dinosaurs puts viewers in the midst of a host of strange creatures that inhabited the earth millions of years before the dinosaurs ever existed. With the help of complex computer animation and the research of hundreds of paleontologists, the BBC presents an extremely realistic picture of the earth's earliest, most primitive aquatic inhabitants and chronicles their evolution to the precursors of man himself and the mighty dinosaurs. The first Walking With Monsters episode begins in the Cambrian period 530 million years ago, showcasing how a simple jellyfish-like sea creature evolved over 200 million years into new creatures with eyes and protective external and internal skeletal systems. These adaptations resulted in the world's first fish, arthropods, amphibians, and land-loving reptiles. The second episode details the giant insects of the Carboniferous period 300 million years ago and demonstrates how evolution empowered amphibians and reptiles by creating mechanisms to regulate their own body temperature and developing specialized teeth. The final episode begins in the late Permian period 250 million years ago when the earth was essentially one large desert full of volcanic activity. While much of earth's life was extinguished during this period, adaptation and evolution continued, bringing the development of a specialized hip in a tiny reptile called the Euparkeria that would prove to be the forerunner of mammals and evolve into the dinosaurs in the Triassic period. While some criticize this project as a somewhat overly dramatic presentation of speculative paleontology as fact, this program utilizes scientific inference to bring pre-history to life and highlight the amazing adaptations and evolution of the earth's earliest inhabitants. The bonus "Trilogy of Life" feature details the research, vision and hard work inherent in the creation of the Walking With Monsters, Walking With Dinosaurs and Walking With Prehistoric Beasts. (Ages 6 and older) --Tami Horiuchi

The Haunted History of Halloween (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)

In Search of History - Lost City of the Incas (History Channel)

The spectacular Incan city of Machu Picchu, high in the Andes Mountains, was long thought to be legendary. Then in 1911, the intrepid explorer Hiram Bingham stumbled upon its remains. But while the walls and chambers have been extensively studied in the years since, the purpose of this ancient site remains unclear. Go to the top of the world to unravel the mysteries of this enigmatic place. See incredible footage of the earliest expeditions to Machu Picchu, and meet the men and women who have dedicated their lives to unearthing its secrets. Wander through the incredible ruins and feel the eerie presence of the past and the timeless secrets that are locked somewhere within. Was it a pleasure palace, an observatory, a fortress or something else entirely? The answers await just below the clouds in LOST CITY OF THE INCAS.

Ancient Mysteries - Pompeii: Buried Alive

Two-thousand years ago, Rome was an all-powerful empire and Pompeii was one of its prosperous provincial towns-until Mount Vesuvius exploded in the largest eruption ever recorded. In a matter of hours the thriving city was entombed under a thick layer of ash and debris, undiscovered for centuries. ANCIENT MYSTERIES® journeys to the first century to explore the remarkable city of Pompeii. Recreate the events leading up to the explosion and learn how the ash kept the city and its inhabitants--the only significant discovery of Roman bodies ever--in a unique state of preservation. Wander through the ancient streets of this sophisticated society and witness current excavations. Interviews with archaeologists and historians, extensive location footage, and archival documents-including one remaining eyewitness account-shed eerie light on the cataclysmic eruption of POMPEII, a city frozen in time. (Narrated by Leonard Nimoy) DVD Features: Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Rome - Power & Glory

Rome: Power & Glory is a six-volume comprehensive introduction to the rise, rule, and fall of the Roman Empire. The series covers the political, military, and social history of the empire from its miraculous engineering feats to the exorbitant taxation that contributed to its downfall. Learn about ancient sporting events and Roman opinions on sex, fashions, slavery, and taxes. The series covers many of Rome's most famous, and in many cases infamous, figures, including Julius Caesar, Augustus, Nero, and Caligula. One of the series' main strengths is its coverage of all levels of Roman society, depicting the diverse strata of Roman civilization in all respects: economic, religious, geographic, and such. While providing a good general overview, Rome does not have time to make a detailed study of any one topic. The other disadvantage is a reliance on old gladiator movie footage that detracts from the seriousness of the topic. All in all, this is an excellent visual introduction to the history of the Roman Empire. --Tara Chace

For over a thousand years, Rome was the center of the known world. One of the most glorious empires in history, she brought to her subjects a common language , shared culture, and for some wealth beyond imagination. But nothing lasts forever. War, barbarian attacks, and moral decay eventually took their toll and the empire slowly began to crumble. This six part series presents the complete history of Rome, from its primitive beginnings, to the height of its glory to its eventual decline, as well as its legacies today. Filmed in 10 countries, Rome: Power and Glory combines location footage of ancient monuments, detailed reenactments, period art and writings, and insights from scholars and public figures to bring the ancient world to life. Extra Features: Timeline, Virtual Reconstructions, Twelve Caesars Biographies, Web Link

Gestapo: Hitler's Secret Police

Hermann Goering's Secret State Police were tasked to arrest and torture confessions and information from supposed enemies of the Reich. All the powers of the Judiciary were taken into its hands and the courts rendered superfluous. A compelling account of one of the true horror stories of the century.

In Search of History - The Aztec Empire (History Channel)

When explorer Hernando Cortés arrived in the New World in 1519, he found the present-day nation of Mexico dominated by the Aztecs. Highly skilled farmers, builders, and merchants, they were also savage warriors who practiced human sacrifice. THE HISTORY CHANNEL® presents a comprehensive profile of this fascinating civilization. Listen as leading scholars trace the rise of the Aztecs from a band of just over 1,000 to the dominant culture of ancient America and learn how the Spanish were able to hasten the fall of this mighty society in mere months. Tour the great temple of Tenochtitlan, where ongoing excavations are unraveling some of the enduring enigmas of the Aztecs, and discover the culture's continued influence in Mexico today. THE AZTEC EMPIRE explores the riveting history of a civilization that rose to dominate nearly all of Mexico in just 400 years. DVD Features: Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

In Search of History - The Greek Gods (History Channel)

Their exploits were recorded and passed down through countless generations. Their images inspired some of the most beautiful art ever created. Their names echo throughout history. From their mythical home atop Mount Olympus, the Greek gods played an integral part in Ancient Greek life. THE HISTORY CHANNEL® explores the fascinating history of these enduring figures through period accounts, interviews with renowned historians and classicists, and stunning location footage, including glimpses into the gods' phenomenal temples. Learn why the ancient deities were endowed with human failings and discover the significance of the most famous Greek myths. View the magnificent artwork that preserved their images and learn how these epic figures have been integrated into modern life. From Aphrodite to Zeus, THE GREEK GODS presents an unforgettable exploration of the mythic and monumental world of Greek deities. DVD Features: Interactive Menus; Scene Selection