European History & Culture Studies

Famine to Freedom: The Great Irish Journey	In this program, an archaeological dig in Ireland and a genealogical investigation in America are linked by family ties to the Neary family, 19th-century tenant farmers in Ballykilcline. Senator Ted Kennedy, archaeologist Charles Orser, and others sift through Ireland’s history to shed light on the catastrophic potato famine; provide an unvarnished account of the mass exodus through which America ultimately gained so much; and break, at last, the "great silence" surrounding the Neary rent strike that put a match to the powder keg of Irish unrest under English rule. A Discovery Channel Production. (52 minutes, color) (C)2003	VHS33142 DVD33142	129.95 129.95	Please call us at 800-776-8093 to order
Great Castles of Europe Series	Whether initially designed as fortifications or private retreats, castles reflect the need for defense, the symbolism of political and military strength, and the personalities of their builders. This stunningly filmed four-part series brings to life the history and inner workings of some of the world’s most magnificent structures. These timeless programs explore each castle’s romantic—or tragic—past and the local legends of the people who lived in them. A Discovery Channel Production. 4-part series, 25-75 minutes each. The Series Includes: Great Castles of Europe: Chambord and Chenonceau, Great Castles of Europe: Alcazar of Segovia, Great Castles of Europe: Warwick Castle, Glamis, and Bunratty Castle,   Great Castles of Europe: Neuschwanstein and the Castles of the Rhine	VHS29025 DVD29025	319.95 319.95
Great Castles of Europe: Alcazar of Segovia	In the ancient kingdom of Castile, at the Iberian peninsula’s center, stands a fortress that has proven invincible for 2,000 years: the Alcazar of Segovia. This timeless program presents a fascinating tour of a castle that was used by Romans, Visigoths, Moors, and Spanish kings and queens. Its varied architectural features, including an incredible Roman aqueduct which supplied the castle’s water and elaborate Moorish carvings adorning the walls, bear witness to the succession of inhabitants. Dramatic reenactments and stunning footage capture the intrigue and romance of the stronghold from which Ferdinand and Isabella ruled a newly united Spain and sent forth Christopher Columbus. A Discovery Channel Production. (26 minutes, color) (C)1993	VHS12123 DVD12123	89.95 89.95
Great Castles of Europe: Chambord & Chenonceau	This timeless program provides a tour of two of France’s greatest castles. Chambord, King Francis I’s hunting retreat, is a magnificent blend of French Medieval and Italian Renaissance styles along with the whimsy of Leonardo da Vinci, whose double spiral staircase is still an architectural marvel. Designed, owned, and improved upon by a succession of seven powerful women, Chenonceau is rightly known as "The Ladies’ Castle," a charming expression of Renaissance ideals; incorporating a bridge that serves as an enclosed gallery, the castle seems to float between water and sky. Striking footage and dramatic reenactments enhance the appreciation of these two architectural masterpieces. A Discovery Channel Production. (47 minutes, color) (C)1993	VHS11994 DVD11994	89.95 89.95
Great Castles of Europe: Neuschwanstein and the Castles of the Rhine	This classic program explores Germany’s most memorable castles, such as Neuschwanstein in the Bavarian Alps and others along the fifty-mile stretch of the Rhine between Mainz and Coblenz. Ludwig II’s obsession with composer Richard Wagner and Teutonic history resulted in the fanciful Neuschwanstein, which inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella castle. The castles of the Rhine, on the other hand, were designed to inspire fear and respect; commanding the heights, these citadels helped enforce tolls along the river. Stunning photography and a well-researched narrative create an informative tour. A Discovery  Channel Production. (50 minutes, color) (C)1993	VHS29027 DVD29027	89.95 89.95
Great Castles of Europe: Warwick Castle, Glamis, and Bunratty Castle	This classic program looks at three great castles of the British Isles. Warwick Castle, on the Avon River in England, was begun by William the Conqueror as one in a series of fortresses and would remain a pivotal stronghold into Cromwell’s era. Scotland’s Glamis, a blend of Norman turrets and Scottish towers, inspired Shakespeare’s Macbeth and was childhood home to the Queen Mother of England. Bunratty Castle, at the meeting of the Shannon and Ratty rivers, was the towering symbol of English colonial power in Ireland. Dramatic reenactments are combined with spectacular footage of the castles inside and out. A Discovery Channel Production. (76 minutes, color) (C)1993	VHS29026 DVD29026	89.95 89.95
London	War, destruction, fire, disease—London has fallen victim to numerous crises over its 2,000-year history. At the center of it all is the River Thames, whose tidal dangers threaten flooding even to this day. But thanks to phenomenal feats of engineering and construction, the city has consistently been able to return to top form. This program examines how devastation in London has inspired people of vision to revolutionize the city’s architecture, from Roman settlement to the center of the British Empire…and beyond. London-based engineering designer Chris Wise and architecture historians Simon Thurley and Vaughan Hart, among others, reveal how great edifices helped this small island nation become a world power. A Discovery Channel Production. (46 minutes, color (C)2004	VHS33603 DVD33603	129.95 129.95
Paris	This program investigates the crucial role engineering has played in the 2,000-year history of the French capital. Eugene Houseman spearheaded the evolution of Paris in the late 18th century, producing the infrastructure, wide boulevards, and grand buildings that give the city its singular charm. Top French historians, engineers, and archaeologists analyze his work as well as the complex feats of the pre-Houseman years, from the construction of King Philippe’s wall and the innovative methods of purifying the Seine in the 13th century to the "revolt of the dead" in 1785. The program also examines the existing Parisian structures at the time of the French Revolution. A Discovery Channel Production. (46 minutes, color) (C)2004	VHS33604 DVD33604	129.95 129.95
The Great Plague	When the plague struck London in 1665, it was almost apocalyptic, wiping out one third of the population. This program dramatically presents the history of bubonic plague and its two variants, pneumonic and septicemic plague—"The Black Death" as it was called in the 14th century. Stunning reenactments based on recently discovered documents chronicle the grim attrition of one family, while scholars comment on the living conditions and ill-fated civic precautions of London. Not just a tale out of England’s dim past, the specter of the plague still lurks today, claiming 37 people in the United States in the last 20 years. Health experts voice fears about the very real threat of the epidemic’s return. A Discovery Channel Production. (51 minutes, color) (C)2000	VHS11873 DVD11873	129.95 129.95
We Built This City series	London and Paris are today world-class cities and centers of commerce. But it was not always so. Each city had humble beginnings—each on the verge of urban implosion many times over—until monumental engineering feats secured their celebrated reputations. Mixing documentary footage with computer reconstructions, this two-part series provides valuable insight into the genesis of these two cultural centers. A Discovery Channel Production. 2-part series, 46 minutes each. The Series Includes: London   Paris	VHS33602 DVD33602	229.95 229.95

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