" The American Future: A History" ,Has anyone seen Simon Schama's fantastic TV series ? (Britain, events)

[Mooseketeer]

The Series has just finished in the UK and as usual Schama has in my opinion produced an intelligent, incisive , clear and very perceptive look at America, looking back to its short but incredibly fascinating and "busy" history and drawing many parallels with the current events and issues facing America today and tomorrow.

A real "tour de force" ,and I would recommend it to anyone. Schama is a true historian who realises that world history is mostly made not by great leaders but by the "insignificant" and often invisible "plebs" and I have yet to read anything disappointing by the man. His TV series are just superb and IMO not to be missed.

I am not sure whether they are broadcasted in the US, though he is a lecturer at Columbia University and a self avowed American "immigrant".

[Thyra]

Have not seen it advertised yet...maybe PBS will air it...Don't hold out too much hope for our "History Channel"
Has he written any books?
I just finished Churchill's "History of the English Speaking Peoples" and it was great...someday I'd like to read his 6 vol. on the Great War...but this is Book Sale month at the local librarys and I kind of loaded up!!! Who can resist bargains like Barbara Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror" for .25

PS..I just answered the question on his books!!! Have you read his History (3 vol.) on Britain???

[Mooseketeer]

He really is a brilliant Historian, if you can catch him either on TV or read his books, I think you would enjoy it. One of my very few "idols" with Michael Wood, another brilliant historian. Both are also excellent lecturers too and I have been lucky enough to see both on different occasions.


I have all his books and his History of Britain was quite a tour de force.


Books

* Patriots and Liberators: Revolution in the Netherlands 1780–1813 (1977)
* Two Rothschilds and the Land of Israel (1978)
* The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age (1987)
* Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution
* Dead Certainties: Unwarranted Speculations (1991)
* Landscape and Memory (1995)
* Rembrandt's Eyes (1999)
* A History of Britain Vol. I (2000, ISBN 0-563-48714-3)
* A History of Britain Vol. II (2001, ISBN 0-563-48718-6)
* A History of Britain Vol. III (2002, ISBN 0-563-48719-4)
* Hang Ups: Essays on Art (2005)
* Rough Crossings (2005, ISBN 0-06-053916-X)
* The Power of Art (2006, ISBN 0-06-117610-9)




Video Documentaries

* Simon Schama's A History of Britain - BBC (2000)
* Rough Crossings: Britain, the Slaves and the American Revolution - BBC (2005)
* Simon Schama's Power of Art - BBC (2006)
* The American Future: a History - BBC (2008).

[Thyra]

Thanks I just ordered vol 1&2 of History of Britan from the library...
Have you read any of James Reston's books?
"Warriors of God" was a great account of the Third Crusade and Richard..
"The Last Apocalypse" Europe in the year 1000
Also "God's Dogs" The Spanish Inquisition
and "Gallileo a Life" (just starting this one)

[Mooseketeer]

Originally Posted by Trudeyrose

Thanks I just ordered vol 1&2 of History of Britan from the library...
Have you read any of James Reston's books?
"Warriors of God" was a great account of the Third Crusade and Richard..
"The Last Apocalypse" Europe in the year 1000
Also "God's Dogs" The Spanish Inquisition
and "Gallileo a Life" (just starting this one)

I read "Galileo" and really enjoyed it. I thought it was great biography. ( If you enjoyed that you might like "Leonardo, the first Scientist " by Michael White)

I hope you will enjoy "The History of Britain" , I think it truly is a wonderful series of books ( and tv programme).