 | John Adams (HBO Miniseries)
Buy new: $34.99 / Used from: $32.84 If there's a better mini-documentary on the American Revolution, I don't know what it is. A moving and incredibly real-life recounting of America's earliest years as seen through the eyes of John and Abigail Adams.
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 | A History of Britain - The Complete Collection
Buy used from: $23.99 This documentary by the art historian Simon Schama is a tour de force in the documentary genre, and must easily be considered one of the best documentaries ever made. Schamas writing, prose, and insights can bring tears to the eyes as we ponder the incredible history of Britain.
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 | The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns
Buy used from: $67.97 There is little that can be added to the endless accolades for this incredible documentary on the American Civil War. An epic in itself, the series set (and still sets) the standards for all other documentaries, and helps explain what the American experience is all about.
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 | The World At War - Complete Set
Its somewhat dated now, but the facts remain the same, and this story, told from the British point of view, is one of the best on WWII. Its wonderful that the set is now available on DVD for a very reasonable price. This is not a strategists history: it is the story of the epic conflict of the 20th century and the results that event had on the peoples of the world.
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 | Simon Schama's Power of Art
Buy new: $23.49 / Used from: $30.97 A terrific mini-documentary on eight select artists, Schama's work here is up to his usual standards, introducing a whole new world of insights to the lay art lover. The narrative and its content are absolutely first-rate.
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 | Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series
Buy new: $54.99 / Used from: $24.00 Stunning in visual beauty and filmography. Probably the best ever on the subject of the Earth.
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 | Christianity-The First Two Thousand Years
Buy new: $35.99 / Used from: $11.93 A generally good introduction to the subject, with its stronger episodes found towards the early Christian period (33-400AD).
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 | Byzantium: The Lost Empire
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $17.64 This is a slightly dated, but nonetheless excellent, introdcution to Byzantium. The story is told with classic understatement and dry humour, and it opens up this often overlooked aspect of European history. Watch for the IBM computer-graphics recreation of Cluny III, which at the time of filming, was high technology. Highly recommended.
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 | Empires - The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $13.21 A truly well-executed documentary, the filming, story line, and explanatory information all combine to make what must be considered a first-rate documentary. A fascinating series to watch.
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 | The Impressionists: The Other French Revolution
Buy new: $35.99 / Used from: $14.99 Our favorite Impressionists are introduced here in this lovely and well illustrated documentary on the history of the genre. The artists, as well as the relationships between them, are fully introduced, and this series provides a good platform for moving into more detailed study of this fascinating type of art.
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 | Empires - Napoleon
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $11.69 This is an excellent overview of the major events in the political and military career of Napoleon. The outstanding narrational style of David McCullough only makes a good thing even better.
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 | Russia - Land of the Tsars
Buy new: $23.99 / Used from: $26.03 This is a standard History Channel documnetary/TV show, but Hermann's narration, coupled with a good informational script, makes this set an excellent introduction to the difficult history of Russia.
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 | Winged Migration
Buy new: $9.49 / Used from: $4.97 If you see ten seconds of this documentary, you'll not be able to stop until then end. One of the most remarkable filming techniques ever used, with most everything seen from the bird's point of view. The close-angle scenes of birds in flight are simply incredible.
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 | The French Revolution (History Channel)
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $10.30 Wanting to know more about the French Revolution? Having trouble keeping track of the many names and places surrounding the Revolution? This documentary should provide you with all you need to get a basic understanding of the event, and also help make sense of the many simultaneous occurrences that either helped lead to, or further accelerated, the Revolution itself.
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 | Barbarians (History Channel)
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $10.97 This is a typical History Channel series, but if youve ever had trouble keeping Goths, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Huns, Vandals, and others straight in your mind, this series can help. There is a bit of repetition here between episodes, but theres lots to learn, and the animated maps that are used to depict the barbarian movements over time are great.
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 | The 50 Years War - Israel & The Arabs
Buy used from: $92.02 This PBS documentary contains a very comprehensive introductory look at the history of Israel, commencing slightly before its recognition by the United Nations in 1948 and leading to roughly the present time. The approach taken here is more of a news documentary, with no acting, music, or stylistic narrative. Extensive newsreels and explanatory narrative tell the story.
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 | Trinity & Beyond - The Atomic Bomb Movie
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $16.04 You might think this is a gimic, a childish look at a terrible topic. But you would be wrong. Watch it one time and then see how you feel.
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 | Lawrence of Arabia - The Battle for the Arab World
Want a better understanding of the Middle East? Here's a perspective you don't hear too frequently in today's discourse.
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