Great British History Season
A History of Britain
This epic series sets itself a hard target. Presenter Simon Schama offers up exactly what it says on the tin and delves deep into Britain's past from prehistory right up to the 20th century. All the great leaders and the wicked schemers are here, from William the Conqueror to Henry VIII, Cromwell to Churchill and Elizabeth I to Victoria.
God is in the detail
The attention to detail in this programme sets it apart from most historical shows. In addition to examining the major players of British history, Schama also looks at the everyday events. He explores the little things that really make our country's past come alive: an Irish monk waits for the plague to kill him in his cell at Kilkenny; a small boy runs through the streets of London to catch a glimpse
of Elizabeth I.
A concise history
For those who feel a bit daunted by a series that covers the history of Britain from prehistoric times to the last century, don't panic. The first episode rattles through 4,000 years leading up to the Battle of Hastings in one go, allowing Schama to spend more time throughout the series on the well documented dramas and the scandals that have rocked these Isles. Don't miss the exploration of the complicated, mutually envious relationship between Elizabeth I and her sister, Mary Queen of Scots or the betrayal, bloodshed and lust for power during the Civil War of the 1600s. They don't write thrillers like this anymore.
Simply Simon
Presenter Simon Schama has an excellent pedigree for this type of thing. He's University Professor of Art History and History at Columbus University in New York. He has written many books on both subjects and was art critic for The New Yorker from 1995 to 1998.
So it's not dull then?
Well, anyone who's been to school will know that in the wrong hands, history can be as much fun as eating nails, but thanks to the rich portrait of Britain and her people that Schama paints, this history is more like savouring a tasty trifle. To quote the man himself, "British history, with its succession of thrilling illuminations, should be not just instruction but pleasure." Indeed.
To know the future, look to the past
The final History of Britain episode looks at the state of Britain in modern times, through the eyes of Winston Churchill and George Orwell. Their writings span two world wars, the slump and a nervous postwar peace. Bearing in mind Orwell then wrote 1984 and now with everyone going crazy for Big Brother on telly each summer, perhaps the observations Orwell made in his classic novel weren't far from the truth.
The attention to detail in this programme sets it apart from most historical shows. In addition to examining the major players of British history, Schama also looks at the everyday events. He explores the little things that really make our country's past come alive: an Irish monk waits for the plague to kill him in his cell at Kilkenny; a small boy runs through the streets of London to catch a glimpse
of Elizabeth I.
A concise history
For those who feel a bit daunted by a series that covers the history of Britain from prehistoric times to the last century, don't panic. The first episode rattles through 4,000 years leading up to the Battle of Hastings in one go, allowing Schama to spend more time throughout the series on the well documented dramas and the scandals that have rocked these Isles. Don't miss the exploration of the complicated, mutually envious relationship between Elizabeth I and her sister, Mary Queen of Scots or the betrayal, bloodshed and lust for power during the Civil War of the 1600s. They don't write thrillers like this anymore.
Simply Simon
Presenter Simon Schama has an excellent pedigree for this type of thing. He's University Professor of Art History and History at Columbus University in New York. He has written many books on both subjects and was art critic for The New Yorker from 1995 to 1998.
So it's not dull then?
Well, anyone who's been to school will know that in the wrong hands, history can be as much fun as eating nails, but thanks to the rich portrait of Britain and her people that Schama paints, this history is more like savouring a tasty trifle. To quote the man himself, "British history, with its succession of thrilling illuminations, should be not just instruction but pleasure." Indeed.
To know the future, look to the past
The final History of Britain episode looks at the state of Britain in modern times, through the eyes of Winston Churchill and George Orwell. Their writings span two world wars, the slump and a nervous postwar peace. Bearing in mind Orwell then wrote 1984 and now with everyone going crazy for Big Brother on telly each summer, perhaps the observations Orwell made in his classic novel weren't far from the truth.
Our Programmes
A History Of Britain
| Britain's Best
| Churchill’s Bodyguard
| Himalaya With Michael Palin
| Seven Wonders Of The Industrial World
| Sex Love And War
| The Naked Archaeologist
| The World At War
| What The Egyptians Did For Us
| What The Industrial Revolution Did For Us
| What The Romans Did For Us
| What The Tudors Did for Us
| What The Victorians Did For Us
| V For Victory
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