Comments on: History of Western Civilization Video Series

History of Western Civilization Video Series

Chinese Jet Pilot — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:13:16 -0800

The Western Tradition, an outstanding 52-part instructional video series about the history of western civilization, is available as free streaming video.

By: wuwei

wuwei — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:15:41 -0800

Thanks. This will make for some good evening tv viewing.

By: LarryC

LarryC — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:25:55 -0800

There are some other series also available in streaming video, including America's History in the Making, A Biography of America, Bridging World History and a whole lot more.

By: acro

acro — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:37:34 -0800

learner@mailinator.com mrnobody (@#+1.wmv)

By: fillsthepews

fillsthepews — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:59:39 -0800

Heh. We watched these in HS to prepare for AP european history. The guy's voice brings back fun memories.

By: flapjax at midnite

flapjax at midnite — Thu, 31 May 2007 16:45:52 -0800

Thanks CJP, and acro!

By: sgt.serenity

sgt.serenity — Thu, 31 May 2007 17:01:24 -0800

ONE -WOULD - LIKE - TO - THANK - YEW - FORR - THIS - INTERRESTING - POST.

By: stbalbach

stbalbach — Thu, 31 May 2007 18:09:27 -0800

Bridging World History is pretty good, they all are, but that one has some interesting perspectives, at least, for anyone who has never taken a World History class - "World History" being an approach to history, not a "history of the world".

By: meh

meh — Thu, 31 May 2007 18:56:00 -0800

Thank you, Chinese Jet Pilot

By: treepour

treepour — Thu, 31 May 2007 20:30:21 -0800

Fabulous -- thanks!

By: zorro astor

zorro astor — Thu, 31 May 2007 21:46:49 -0800

Was there no FPP on Professor Weber's recent passing?

By: zorro astor

zorro astor — Thu, 31 May 2007 21:48:35 -0800

And let us also note his uncanny resemblance to comedic supertalent Harvey Korman.

By: bruceo

bruceo — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 01:54:29 -0800

Holy cow. I had no idea Eugen Weber had passed. This makes me very sad. "The Western Tradition" was a touchstone for me. History classes and books had always bored me to tears. Then I caught TWT on a local community college cable station. TWT ran every Sunday night at midnight, and I found Weber's style and voice hypnotic. He had a great feel for pricking little bubbles of conventional wisdom in interesting ways... It was the great Western Civ course I never saw in college. For years, I had a regular date with Eugen to end my weekends and broaden my horizons. I must have seen every episode four or five times. The station eventually changed the scheduling and I was forced to buy the DVD. It's nice to own, but it's not the same as having a regular history date. I highly recommend episodes 44 through 48, from the rise of the nation-states to the end of WWII. Gripping stuff. Dr. Weber ended the series with the lines below from Wordsworth. Appropriate on this day, I think:

Still glides the stream, and shall forever glide; The form remains, the function never dies; While we, the brave, the mighty, and the wise, We men, who in our morn of youth defied The elements, must vanish; -- be it so! Enough if something from our hands have power, To live, and act, and serve the future hour; And if, as toward the silent tomb we go, Though love, though hope, and faith's transcendent dower, We feel that we are greater than we know.

By: Meaney

Meaney — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 13:48:21 -0800

Thanks, one of my favorite shows growing up. Only recently have I started to watch it again. Now I don't have to wait until they come on tv. Woo!