[0. Introduction: Formation of Western Europe] By having Normandy of France, Sicily of Italy, the whole Great Britain and Ireland under their rule, the Normans unwittingly contributed to forging Western Europe as a group, and that, as an aggressive one. The Crusade and the Hundred Years' War were examples of the legacies closely connected with these belligerent ethnic group. (3 hours)

[0. Introduction: Formation of Western Europe] The unholy war of the Crusades had a dual influence on the West: Byzantium and Islam. This influence ultimately brought the West out of darknesss and led it to Renaissance, thus the formation of Modern Western Europe. (4 hours)

[I. Italy(Venice) for Renaissance] Venice was the biggest beneficiary of the 'unholy' Crusades, ultimately replacing Byzantium as the center of the trade between the West and the Islam. This is available in DVD albeit in UK(PAL) system. (4 hours)

[I. Italy(Florence) for Renaissance] One of the greatest wonders in the history of civilizations is that one city that was by no means the richest even in Italy (Venice and Milano were certainly richer) had such an enormous impact on the shaping of the Western Europe, and that, primarily through one prominent family. (4 hours)

[I. Italy(Pope's Rome) for Renaissance] The last chance of the unification of Italy lay in the hands of the infamous Pope Alexander VI Borgia and his illegimate son, Cesare Borgia. As the military commander of the papacy, Cesare proved himslef to be the prototype of the cunning and ruthless Machiavellian prince. (2 hours)

[I. Italy(Pope's Rome) for Renaissance] At the twilight of the Italian Renaissance, Rome sees two extraordinary artists, one painter and the other sculptor: Caravaggio and Bernini. The DVD set deals with a total of 8 artists, including Caravaggio and Bernini, allocating one hour for each artist. (8 hours)

[II. Britain for the Reformation] John Wycliffe exerts a big influence on Martin Luther who has been exasperated by the depravity and decadence of papacy. The moment this indomitable German monk learned about Wycliffe, the cataclysmic Reformation was in the making. (2 hours)

[II. Britain for the Reformation] It is ironic that history shows to a leading historical figure like Tyndale much less attention than to his persecutor and historically much less important Thomas More, because the latter left a book 'in his own name' whereas the former translated the Bible into English and lost his life, thus without his name on the book. (2 hours)

[II. Britain for the Reformation]

[II. Britain for the Reformation]

[II. Britain for the Reformation]

[III. The Netherlands and Britain for the Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution] This DVD set, in part, explains how the Netherlands, and then Britain, played the role of financial centers of Europe. (Based on the 6-hour long UK version; 6 hours)

[III. The Netherlands and Britain for the Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution]

[III. The Netherlands and Britain for the Enlightenment and Scientific Revolution] The story of John Harrison, a "lessor" scientist who came up with an accurate, seaworthy clock that would enable sailors to know the longitude of their position, shows it was not by accident that Britain became such an empire. (4 hours)

[IV. France & Britain for Heterogeneous Revolutions] (France prior to the Revolution) Henry IV is perhaps the most respected monarch in the French history, healing the sanguinary conflicts between the Catholics and the Huguenots. But in dramas, we find him playing second fiddle to a more colorful/tragic character Queen Margot, his true friend albeit uninhibited as spouse. (2 hours)"

[IV. France & Britain for Heterogeneous Revolutions]

[IV. France & Britain for Heterogeneous Revolutions] After America's Independence, the British, at the initiative of Wilberforce, lost no time in abolishing 'slave trade' and then 'slavery' itself, whereas the white Americans stubbornly retained them. Lincoln's 'Emancipation' turned out a farce, because his successors successfully sabotaged the process for over a century. (2 hours)

[V. Austro-Germany for Europe's Final Fling] For me, the greatest wonder in human history is that, the Holy Trinity in music - JS Bach(1685-1750), Mozart(1756-1791) and Beethoven(1770-1827) - lived in the same century at the same German-speaking region. Neither have they ever been surpassed, nor are they likely. Just amazing!

[V. Austro-Germany for Europe's Final Fling]

[V. Austro-Germany for Europe's Final Fling] Hitler started the war, but Stalin reaped the benefits. For Stalin, the blood of his own people and the ammunitions munificently supplied by the gullible Roosevelt were only articles of consumption to build his monstrous empire. (4 hours)