Product Description

Sixty years after Indian independence, British historian Michael Wood presents the tale of the oldest and most diverse civilization, and largest democracy. A nuclear power and a rising giant, India's population will overtake China's within 10 years and its economy is predicted to overtake that of the U.S. in the 2030s. This journey of sights and sounds, and achievements takes him from the deserts of Turkmenistan to the Khyber Pass.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1510 in DVD
• Brand: PBS
• Released on: 2009-03-10
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 360 minutes

Review
If you like the idea of watching a really good National Geographic article brought to life, with the lush photography, fascinating facts, sense of discovery and slight superficiality that implies, you ll love THE STORY OF INDIA. --Mike Hale, The New York Times

Review
The images of India's ever-seductive culture are stunning and intoxicating,... --Tom Shales, The Washington Post

Review
Seldom is a documentary television program as relevant to current headlines as Michael Wood's wondrously informative and visually dazzling six-hour series... --Michael Judge, The Wall Street Journal

Customer Reviews

The Wonder That Is India
I must disclose two items - I am a big fan of Michael Wood and I am of Indian descent. I don't believe either of these color my review but both were my reasons for watching. Michael Wood is to History what Carl Sagan was to Science and Cosmology. His passion and interest in the subject matter may be viewed as overdone by some but I see it as sincere and therefore brings out the same in the audience. He is able to bring the story of 5000 years to life without leaving the present which is quite an accomplishment that has both to do with the filmmakers and India as both country and people.

The program was beautifully filmed and captures the voices of more than just the conventional academics that provide the commentary in many historical documentaries. The episodes on Asoka and Buddha are my favorites but all were easy to watch and taught me some or much that I had not already known. Some critics will call Wood's perspective as viewed through rose colored glasses. I would agree but I think that is by design and not meant to minimize much tragedy and depravity that has also occurred during the 5000 years. There are plenty of other resources that can provide that perspective.

Fascinating Look at India
I have seen the first two episodes on PBS and was blown away. Wood is clearly an Indo-phile. You can see by his facial expressions and body language that he is blown away by the intricacies and depth of Indian history and culture.
My favorite part thus far - the fact that spice shops in Peshawar know exactly what Soma is. Soma is the "Rig-Vedic" elixir for the gods. No one in India today probably knows anything about it.
Another thing I really like, as an Indian, is that this is a history of all of India, including parts which are now Pakistan and played an integral role in the development of Indian civilization. The parts about the Indus Valley (Harappa and Mohenjodaro) were awe inspiring - like the earlier reviewer - this is stuff I learnt about in static history books 25 years ago - to see it in moving video was .... moving.

"An Eye-Full of India"
Although I have only seen the first two episodes, this is a wonderful production. I call it an "Eye-Full" because the photography of this production is so wonderful. The six hour series by Michael Wood is filled with verbal information, as well as gorgeous shots of the Indian landscape and towns. It traces the history of the sub-continent from 30,000 years ago to the present, discussing the exploration and settling of the country by the earliest immigrants, and the spread of languages and language groups over the region.
The second hour focused on the impact of religion on the land, including the impact of the Buddha, and the development of human rights on the country and the people.
I have not been back to India since 1983, but the series brought back memories that not only had I forgotten, but that I had forgotten I ever had them in the first place. A very enjoyable and informative series, and I highly recommend it.