A History of Britain - The Complete Collection

Starring:Timothy West, James Bolam, Bill Paterson
Studio: A&E Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
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.

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.

Customer Reviews:

Great Set!.......2007-05-17

This set of DVD's is truly inspiring. The information is presented in a way that is easy to understand yet keep you interested. This should be required of every school and every history buff.

Powerful and Moving Story of Britain.......2007-05-15

Schama's BBC documentary is nothing less than a masterpiece of the genre. Emotionally moving and containing a strong narrative tone, the work is a grand visual sweep from the earliest days of pre-history England to the 20th century. There is little to be improved. The video is gorgeous - sometimes lush - the narrative is as fascinating as it is informative, and even Schama's own physical presence in the scenes adds a level of humanity to the events of a sometime distant past. But it is Schama's own verbal discourse and his mastery of English prose, a hallmark of all his works, which really distinguishes this work from others. The storyline is so strong that it could easily stand on its own without video accompaniment, but coupling this verbal story with the BBC's ability to capture the beauty of the British landscape within the moving frame makes the piece a cornucopia of insights and delights. This is a work so well done, so moving, so fascinating, that it begs to be watched over and over. I'm sure that most people who own the set have just done that. I certainly have.

The work is centered around 15 primary events of British history, with the sections named just closely enough that if one has a basic sense of British history the topics can be guessed (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 her Sisters, Empire of Good Intentions, The Two Winstons). By limiting the scope of the series to these specific areas of focus, the length remains manageable, but the linkage from event to event is sufficient to propel us through the whole period. Of course, it would be foolish for us to think that all, or even the great majority, of critical events in British history can be covered: this would take a series easily ten times in length. But the selection of topics provides a panoramic view of the most salient events for an introductory history such as this.

There are moments of profound emotional weight in parts of this work. One example is the episode entitled "The Body of the Queen," which examines the lives and relationship of Elizabeth and Mary in Tudor England. As destiny unfolds, we see in Mary a sense of her personal loss and a terrible illness that is with her until death. In Elizabeth, we see an ascent to the throne, but nevertheless loss in never taking a husband, and the continuing lament over her role in the fate of Mary. It's more emotionally powerful than most things you'll ever see in a documentary.

Another aspect of Schama's work that one may find enjoyable is Schama's ability to step outside "the frame" and take well-known historical events and critique them in new and powerful ways, often simply with a single sentence of dispassionate analysis. It's an approach sometimes too rare in parochial histories, but it certainly finds its way into the performance here. There is also little attempt to explain away things that are not yet understood. Some of the quotations from early runic scripts in episode one, for example, are as enigmatic as they are ancient, but that doesn't stop Schama from quoting them with a touch of humor. In fact, if one watches closely, the understated and ironic sense of humor is never far from the discourse. This makes us think about what further unspoken thoughts Schama would like to add, but cannot due to time constraints.

It would be a terrible loss if Schama did not turn his skills, along with the BBC, in developing a similar series covering the history of France. His book, "Citizens," already covers the French Revolution in his witty, knowledgeable style. Now to extend and merge that content with the development of France would make an incredibly interesting series, and one that might connect well with this British-focused work. But at any rate, this work is truly an outstanding endeavor, and if you like history, documentaries, or both, get it while it is still available. Six stars out of five.

Britain: Born in Insignificancy, Raised in Greatness, Maturing in Justice .......2007-04-24

A History of Britain is one of the best DVD-sets that has ever been produced about a geographical and historical entity. The DVD-set does not stick to a strict chronological approach to history. The narrator, Simon Schama, a university professor in history and author of several books, enlivens the traditional approach to British history by looking at the key personalities and cultural influences that have defined the history of Britain and its former possessions. After the initial viewing, many viewers will feel compelled to screen one or another of the 15 episodes from time to time due to the usually high quality of these episodes. A History of Britain could be used as a template to realize more high-quality DVD-sets covering other major geographical and historical entities.

A Delicious Dose of British History.......2007-01-18

Simon Schama makes excellent use of his wide knowledge and colourful opinions to carry us on a journey that encompasses over 5000 years. He does not move through the story date-by-date and monarch-by-monarch, but uses themes that highlight pivotal events.

It is both erudite and entertaining. I know I will watch this set over and over.

Great series.......2007-01-02

My husband loved this, but if you're looking for a sequential history, forget it. Very interesting and informative, though.

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