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The legendary distance runner Steve Prefontaine blazed across tracks and into America's consciousness before meeting a tragic death in an auto accident at the age of 24.In this tribute to "Pre," narrated by writer Ken Kesey, a number of his contemporaries speak movingly of him as an athlete and a person.After setting high school running records in his native Oregon, Prefontaine went on to the University of Oregon, where as a freshman he began to dominate the American track scene and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He was a distinctive character and archival films demonstrate the charisma and astounding confidence he brought to his sport.His race in the 5,000 meters at the 1972 Munich Olympics is shown in detail, with other runners in the race offering commentary on the gutsy performance of the 21-year-old.Pre didn't win a medal in the race, but as his sister puts it, the race "matured him" and made him determined to win gold at the 1976 Montreal Olympics (which he wouldn't live to do).Though one of the world's best athletes, after college he was forced to survive on food stamps, and he became a spokesman for the plight of amateur athletes. This is a touching look at a brilliant athlete and a charming character who still inspires runners today. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Pre!
If you were a runner in the early '70s, Steve Prefontaine was your idol. Give Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers and even Lasse Viren their due, it was Pre who captured the essence of running as no other ever had or probably ever will. The guy had charisma - loads of it - and a style that grabbed you by the shorts and pulled you around the track with him. Was he America's greatest runner? Probably not, but who knows how good he could have been had his awesome potential not been snuffed. He may not have been the best, but he certainly inspired more runners than any of his contemporaries. The video provides comments and insights from family, friends and athletic rivals, and the footage from some of his races - particularly the 1972 Olympic 5000 meters - is an adrenaline-pumping reminisce of a spirit in American running we may never see again. This video allows the viewer to vicariously experience that fire and magic one more time.

Citius - Altius - Fortius
I purchased this video for my son who is a runner on his high school's track team. I didn't realize that the film would have such an impact on him, in that he has watched it three times already and has shared it with his teammates as well. Prefontaine has become an icon to these runners, an inspiration for them to take their running to the next level. My son is now planning to continue to compete in college: this fall on the XC team and on the track team in the spring.

Will get you through the last miles of a marathon
Once you watched this, just like Pre you'll never ever quit!

An Amazing Runner
As a high schooler who ran cross-country and track Pre was an inspiration. I learned about him around those times. I even cut out a picture of him in a magazine and put it over my bed as an inspiration before every track meet I competed in. This documentary must be real good!! It's a must for any track enthusiast, runner, or any Pre fans. He was an inspiration. If he had lived he probably would have been one of the greatest track coaches of all time like Bill Bowerman was. He's in my top 10 of one of the greatest track stars of all time! What A Runner!!! Thanks.

The Legend Lives On!
I remember watching Prefontaine doing his practice runs around the fields at North Bay Junior High School in Hauser, Oregon when I was a student there. I was aware of his achievements and was in awe of him. It was such a thrill to be able to watch him practice. His is a truly inspirational story. I went on to run long distance myself at his rival school in North Bend, OR. I would have given anything to have half his natural talent. I also watched him in the 1972 Olympics on television and still remember the emotions involved. I will always admire Prefontaine and wonder about the greatness that would have been. Someday Hollywood will do his story right. ... Read more

Description

This Academy Award-winning film tells the unforgettable story of Gerda Weissmann Klein and her six-year ordeal as a victim of Nazi cruelty. Rendered in a deceptively simple yet extraordinarily powerful manner, the film explores the effects Weissman’s experience had on the rest of her life. By the end of the war she had lost her parents, brother, home, possessions, and community; even the dear friends she made in the labor camps, with whom she had shared so many hardships, were dead. A journey of survival through one of the most devastating events in the history of mankind. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Story of Courage & Survival
This is one of the most moving documentaries I have ever seen. Gerda Weissman is a most compelling storyteller, you can not help but be moved by her memories. The filmmakers and editors have done a phenomenal job selecting and arranging images and subtle effects to compliment Gerda's words. I show this video on the first day of a college-level Documentary Production class I teach each Spring. Students, who might normally be bored by such a slow paced story of the past, are drawn in by Gerda's presence and courage. At the end of the semester I have the students evaluate all the docs we have screened, One Surivor Remembers always makes the top of the list. ... Read more

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Though Shakespeare is heralded as the world's most influential and admired writer, little is known about the man himself. That didn't stop A&E Biography from weaving together a substantial birth (in 1564) to death (in 1616) portrait from spotty documentation, historical accounts, and interpretations of the master's work itself. It won't give away all the video's surprises to reveal here that Shakespeare was born into privilege, started out as an actor, had an unhappy marriage to an older woman--in his will, he specifically left her only his "second best bed"--and survived the death of his only son, Hamlet. Many of his most complex works came about after the death of his son, including the play named after him. Before Shakespeare died (due to an illness borne of too much pickled herring), he penned perhaps the last thing he would ever write--his own epitaph. It reads, in part, "Blessed be the man that spares these stones and cursed be he that moves my bones." --Jennifer Vogel ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Maybe not.
After whetting our appetites with the observation that little is known about the man behind the plays, the A&E team provides a bland, surprisingly unengaging "5-act" biography of William Shakespeare. As the story proceeds, the producers rely more and more on quotations from the plays rather than on any "extrinsic" evidence. The result is a program that confirms what we already knew, or should have known, all along--the life of William Shakespeare is at best a mere footnote to the life of the plays themselves. Credit the producers for not indulging in this series' customary approach and sensationalizing the records (by claiming Shakepeare was really Queen Elizabeth, etc.). On the other hand, teachers and students of Shakespeare, as well as fans of the Bard, may find it difficult to justify an investment of money in a video this slight when, say, Olivier's "Henry V" or Branagh's "Much Ado About Nothing" are available at a comparable price.

Heads Up for High School Teachers
As a high school teacher, I found the visuals appealing and representative of the period in which Shakespeare lived. However, I ultimately decided against showing the video in class as it states without substantiation that Shakespeare was involved in a homosexual affair with his patron, the earl of Southampton. I suppose someone has taken the style of writing Shakespeare used in his encomiums to his patron as expressions of sexual ardor rather than the sycophantic flattery which was typical in an age when artistic types were looking for deep pockets to support their career. The Bard may have been "kissing up," as we would say nowadays, but it's doubtful it was in the sense the commentator used. I personally didn't feel it was worth opening that can of worms in our introductory lessons, but depending on one's purpose, others might choose otherwise.

Excellent for the time allotted
At the outset let me correct a typo in your own review -- Shakespeare's only son was named Hamnet (after a friend of the family) and not Hamlet, the title character of one of his more famous plays.

I am currently reading the three-volume set of sixty essays entitled "William Shakespeare -- His World, His Work, His Influence". The perspective this gives is that it is impossible to fully appreciate the individual and his efforts without a good feel for the environment in which he worked. That said, this video biography is, in my view, about as good a job as can be done in 50 minutes.

There is really more than enough material for a documentary series. Ken Burns, are you out there?

Shakespeare is a genius
Because of Shakespeare, I am Advanced Placement Literature. I have read all his works and enjoyed them thoroughly. This Bio of him, as with all the others on A&E, is wonderful. He is the best playwrite of the 17th century.

William Shakespear
William shakespear is one of the 20th century's greatest writers. Know world wide he is recognized for many great plays and many pieces of art. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

joni Eareckson Tada
I loved this movie it was such a great movie, my heart went out to joni and all that she has accomplished.
I just wish i could get this on dvd ... Read more

Description

" His pacifist philosophy brought one of the world's great powers to itsknees.He proved that violence is not the only road to change. Mahatma Gandhi's lifewas a study in contrast and paradox.He saw himself as doing God's work, yetrecognized only personal conscience as the highest authority.He was a charismaticleader of millions who confounded intellectuals.He took a vow of abstinence, but in oldage welcomed young women into his bed!BIOGRAPHY profiles the small man whotook a great nation on his shoulders and changed the world.Trace his rise to power andfearless campaign of truth, non-violence and non-cooperation with injustice that defeatedthe British Empire.Biographers offer insight into his surprising personal life, whilehistorians explore his remarkable accomplishments.Hear from his grandson, ArunGandhi, and, in a rare interview, the Dalai Lama reflects on Gandhi's incredible life andenduring legacy. From the formation of his philosophy to changing the face of the world,this is the complete saga of the Pilgrim of Peace Mahatma Gandhi." ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Reveals the Mahatma for the human being he was
I enjoyed BIOGRAPHY - MAHATMA GANDHI because it shows Gandhi in both his greatness and his humanness. I believe that Gandhi's legacy is best preserved by remembering that he was, after all, only human. The sense I got from viewing this documentary is that the liberation of India from the British empire was just one aspect of Gandhi's quest for truth, almost an outgrowth of his inner spiritual battles. I don't think he set out to be "the Mahatma." He even writes in his autobiography THE STORY OF MY EXPERIMENTS WITH TRUTH that the title "Mahatma" (meaning "great soul") often caused him pain because he didn't want to be seen as above others in stature or spiritual enlightenment.

There are several people interviewed in BIOGRAPHY - MAHATMA GANDHI, reporters, biographers, politicians, even the Dalai Lama provides some brief comments (he mentions that deep conviction is necessary in order to maintain a nonviolent movement). But the two interviews that make the strongest impact are those with Arun Gandhi, Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and founder of the "M. K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence" headquartered in Memphis, TN., and Lady Pamela Hicks, daughter of Earl Mountbatten (the last Viceroy of India). Both Arun Gandhi and Lady Pamela Hicks comment on something the Mahatma is not often known for: a sense of humor. Hicks says that his humor was almost "wicked," and Arun comments that the Mahatma got a good laugh out of the fact that some reporters made fun of him for supposedly looking like a monkey. "'Here's your monkey,' Grandfather would say."

Disappointing -- Other Gandhi Material is Much Better
I consider myself a serious student of the life of Mahatma Gandhi, and to some extent, a formal researcher... I loved Attenborough's movie -- though sentimental in spots, I believe it captured the essence of Gandhi, based on everything else I have studied about him. This documentary seemed a bit obsessed with the "journalistic" need to balance out their overview of Gandhi by outlining semi-deprecating hearsay alongside accolades. Gandhi wasn't perfect -- but please, be sure your facts are straight when reporting! For instance, Gandhi is alleged to have "slept naked with young Hindu girls" later in life to test his commitment to celibacy. Personally, I don't care who or what Gandhi slept (or whatever) with, or didn't (and I believe it was "didn't", per his celibacy vow), so I don't see this as a "slur" per se -- it's just as far as I know, it's simply inaccurate. In several other well-known volumes on Gandhi, his true nature of complete asexuality was expressed both by himself and close associates, and based on his entire life, it's unlikely he would "test" himself in this manner. Still, if you are unfamiliar with Gandhi, this could be a good introduction -- but again, I recommend the movie by Attenborough as being much better, and ironically (for a studio release) more accurate!!

A classic of its time!
This film on Gandhi's life is a classic. Mr Attenborough did a fantastic job in bring this 'documentary' to the screen. Ben Kingsley who plays 'Gandhi' could not have been a better choice. A story that span from South Africa to the vast sub-continent of India has some very panoramic sweeping views. If you want to understand India and its people under the Raj, this is a good starting place. The re-creation of the funeral procession was no small feat. I will strongly recommend FBIs (foreign born Indians) to view this view this film to get some understanding of their heritage.

Very Inspirational
I viewed this movie as a requirement in my "world studies" class during our unit on British Imperialism. The on-screen representation of Gandhi's personality gave me a finer insight into his motivations and background. One particular element to the story I found fulfilling was the display of younger Gandhi as an educated "British" lawyer. His change in identity was very well portrayed as he grew closer to his people. This video was an absolutely excellent supplement to my studies on Gandhi and imperialism. Gandhi's political success was an awesome sight to see portrayed. The manner in which such a frail old man as Gandhi overpowers an entire empire is nearly miraculous, and his attempts at unifying a very religiously diverse India are noble. Gandhi proved to the world that violence is an unnecessary element to "fighting" for change, and that non-violence can be even more effective. It is not hard to tell why people such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez, both leaders in civil rights movements, were inspired by the achievements of Gandhi, and modeled their political activism after his non-violent model. I felt that this movie exquisitely portrayed Gandhi's persona, his aspirations, and his accomplishments. I very strongly recommend this film to anyone who wants to know more about Gandhi, and anyone who would like to vicariously witness the spectacular accomplishments of one of the greatest persons in history.

TRUTH'S PENETRATING LIGHT
Frail, brown skinned and dressed in a simple loin cloth, who is this man that broke the yoke of British colonialism and inspired a warrior of non-violence, Martin Luther King, Jr.? We know him as Mahatma Gandhi, Truth's Penetrating Light in a world of darkness. But he was more than that as is shown in this documentary of his life.

Gandhi was by no means a genius but grew up as a boy filled with ego and selfishness as all young people. There wasn't anything remarkable about him as he followed the normal course of an Indian man and British Colonial subject. A move to South Africa and a spiritual experience coupled with political action did some things to this young householder.

On his return to India, Gandhi became a force to be confronted. His power didn't come through an army or pure political actions but through spiritual enlightenment. It is this power of Gandhi which impacts all of India.

I enjoyed this chronicle because it shows a man who wasn't perfect but was willing to experiment with his life to achieve oneness with God and at the same time freeing his people. You see a Gandhi with all of the faults of men but also his work in overcoming those pieces of him that got in the way. His story is the story of India and cleary shows might doesn't make right. What is mistakenly perceived as weakness (spirituality) is indeed a strength. Join with Gandhi in his experiment with truth and see how the forces of evil can be subdued by Love. ... Read more

Description

For almost a century their fabled dynasty and tragic fate has beenenveloped in myth and surrounded by mystery.Now, with the opening of the formerSoviet Union, the true story of Nicholas and Alexandra can be told.This groundbreakingproduction, filmed on location throughout the former Soviet Union and Europe, presentsa treasure trove of information and documents that have been kept secret for decades. Intimate diaries, letters and personal effects from the once-sealed imperial archives tellthe astonishing story of the Romanovs' reign.Chilling eyewitness accounts, testimonyfrom executioners, and a somber exhumation finally put to rest the enigma of theirdynasty's horrifying end.Stunning, fact-filled and grand, this is the ultimate chronicle ofa romance that changed the world. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Powerful video of one of histories greatest stories
This was a wonderful film, it almost didn't feel like a documentry at all, but a real cinematic film. It is rich with the families private family videos and diary entries sharing their story through their point of view. There are also many videos of the 300th year anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty,and the powerful Russian music that accompanies them is a really nice touch. The film does not dab that much into political affairs but stays on the path of their family life which most people are truly fascinated with anyway. This film presents everything including their begining, their rule, war, imprisonment, death, and even their suspected remains found in siberia with great detail. If your are interested with this great family and how they lived and died than this film is for you.

The most tragic love affair in history
The last czar of all the Russians was a most reluctant monarch, assuming the throne before he was ready and at a time when the contradictory forces were too powerful for such an absolute monarchy to survive. Despite its' vastness and backwardness, Russia was a great industrial power as the twentieth century arrived, and the strains felt in Europe were also pressing on it. This would have probably been enough to topple even the most forceful of men, but the last of the ruling Romanovs was not a strong personality.
Unlike so many other monarchs, his relationship with his wife was a true love affair, which ironically proved to be part of his undoing. Had he paid less attention to her, it is more likely that he would have physically survived, and perhaps even as a ruler with vastly truncated power.
The particulars of that love affair are a point of emphasis in this tape, with a great deal of quoting from their letters. In contrast to others who have ruled the Russians, Nicholas comes across as a romantic fluff, more capable and comfortable in professing love and devotion than in making the decisions that determined the lives and deaths of millions. From this tape, you learn the details of their relationship, the manner of their death and how their final resting place was discovered a half-century later.
While historically accurate, there are some points where greater explanation should have occurred. The establishment of the Duma in 1905 is mentioned, but not one word of the disastrous war with Japan appears. Given that this was the impetus for the creation of the legislative body, such an omission is a glaring one. A second point that should have been mentioned was the assassination of Pyotr Stolypin, the reformist minister who was trying to modernize Russian society and was killed for his efforts.
I was also impressed with the description of Rasputin, the monk who held such power over the Empress in their last years. He is often put forward as an evil manipulator, when he was in fact just another faith healer who managed to gain the confidence of a powerful person desperate for a cure for an incurable disease. Blaming the givers of bad advice is not the way to justify the fact that the rulers used it when they should have known better.
During my last visit to the Soviet Union, it was visibly coming apart and one of the members of my delegation asked the question, "Will the Russian people ever forgive Lenin?" The forces that led to his rise and decades of brutal government were centuries in the making, but those with the last chance to avoid it were Nicholas and Alexandra. This is the story of their life together, pointing out the irony that love interests and ruling interests are often incompatible.

a glimpse of their Imperial Highnesses persons...
If you are a Romanov fanatic this movie is a must for you!! It is very touching, excellent narration, this movie has captured moments that you won't find anywhere else.

A love story more than a history.
Nicholas and Alexandra tends to romanticize the Romanov dynasty to some extent; it particularly focuses on the personal relationship between Nicholas and Alexandra and, at times, glosses over his historical malice and ineptitude, which unfortunately resulted in the even-more malicious and inept "reign" of the Bolsheviks. The final portrait of the Romanovs with which this video leaves us is one of two incompetent, but well-meaning and earnest rulers. The many films included are very interesting to watch, and the murder of the Romanov family is handled well. If you are interested in the Romanovs as individuals rather than as historical figures, then you will enjoy this... but if you are more interested in such details as their complicity in Bloody Sunday, the Tsarina's Lady Macbeth complex, and the Tsar's collaboration with the anti-Semite Black Hundreds organization, then this video will leave you feeling as though Nicholas and Alexandra's numerous faults have been minimized for the sake of romantic nostalgia.

Very Moving!
As a collector of Romanoff items, I found this video well documented. This is a must for your Romanoff collection. ... Read more

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Mother Teresa became such a saintly icon during her lifetime that many people forgot she was a flesh-and-blood human. But this particularly well done A&E Biography segment examines the temporal reality as well as the good works of the nun who devoted her life to the poorest of the world's poor. The video traces her life from her birth in Macedonia in 1910 to her death--forever entwined with that of Princess Diana--in September 1997, as well as all the milestones in between: her unwavering devotion, even as a child; her founding of the Missionaries of Charity; her work among the castoffs in India's worst slums; and her Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Interviews with many who worked with her help round out the familiar images--Mother Teresa caressing a dying child; Mother Teresa lecturing a spellbound UN Assembly; Mother Teresa visiting with virtually every contemporary head of state. In the end, the segment underscores how much prayer and utter devotion to God were Mother Teresa's guiding forces, and how the rest of her life's work were merely earthly manifestations of them. It's not surprising that thousands of young women have flocked to Mother Teresa's Spartan order while other orders are dwindling--sources of true inspiration are hard to come by in this day and age, but Mother Teresa is the genuine article. --Anne Hurley ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not A Review But A Warning
I realize this will fall on deaf ears and hearts. I realize that most people in this country revere Mother Teresa. She had many good things to say. But she also had many many more awful statements, and actions.
My suggestion to all those interested in reading/learning about Mother Teresa is to read EVERYTHING that you can, which would include the criticisms of her work and the way she ran her order and operation in India. Read Christopher Hitchins' work, The Missionary Position. Read what former members of her order, like Susan Shields, have to say about their experiences. Read about the enormous amounts of money that were donated to help the poor, but have not been used at all, and are sheltered from the demanding eyes of the Indian government. Read about her support of the Haitian dictator, Duvalier. Read about sisters in Haiti forced to re-use needles until they were blunt, and the pain that caused their patients. How could such a stance possibly be fulfilling the will of a God of love? Read about her double standard regarding divorce (OK for Princess Diana, not OK for a regular woman in Ireland or elsewhere).
I am a Catholic, and am very distressed that our current pope eliminated the role of the "Devil's Advocate" in the canonization process. The more I learn and read, the more I am convinced Mother Teresa was neither a saint, nor was a she a friend to the poor in Calcutta and elsewhere.
Just READ.

Thorough & Touching Tribute
An excellent example of Biography when the program focused on challenging and intriguing lives - rather than 70s TV stars. This episode comes from a time when Biography was committed to thoughtful and revealing glimpses into the lives of women and men who slowly changed the world for the better. The production offers numerous interviews of Mother Teresa's contemporaries and fascinating video clips of the woman, both in her labors for the poor and among the world's powerful. Her unique spirit shines through, including moments when her overwhelming personality was perhaps not easy to take but was still admirably, relentlessly dedicated to her worthy cause. She was a personal hero of my fiance, Sidelle Rimbaud, who patterned many of her life decisions after Mother Teresa's example of self-sacrifice, and ultimately died in the line of duty. Because of this, I watched the program and was rewarded with a view of one of humanity's most noble spirits. David R. Bannon, Ph.D.; author "Race Against Evil."

A Powerful Spiritual Experience
This is one of the Biography series best. Although it is not up to date, the video is a powerful document of Mother Teresa's life. The interviews with many of her associates within and outside the Catholic Church add a great deal of insight into her work. It shows clips of her speech after winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and the passion she felt over the issue of abortion.
The entire video has a great spiritual air about it, and leaves one feeling that they know a little more about such a great woman.

Summary of Tape
This is a fantastic look at Mother, but it does not cover her passing as another reviewer wrote. It is the old Biography that was released while she was alive and simply repackaged for current sales. The actual video is not up to date. Hopefully the folks at Biography will complete the job soon. If you don't already have this tape it's a definite buy. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sigmund Freud didn't intend to get into the field of psychiatry. His dream was to be a research scientist, but because of Jewish quotas he wasn't permitted to enter into the field of study.So he became a doctor specializing in nervous diseases, because at the time that's where the money was and he desperately wanted the cash so he could marry his fiancée. A&E's Biography: Sigmund Freud is an illuminating look at the man who changed the way the world viewed sexuality and who gave us "the talking cure," better known today as psychoanalysis. Through photographs, interviews with psychoanalytic experts and Freud's grandchildren, and even with a brief recording that Freud himself made, we gain a glimpse into the life of this complex man, from his childhood in Vienna to his escape to London during World War II.His life was full of contradictions: he delved into self-analysis, but never looked at his addiction to cigars; he was an early advocate of cocaine, causing a close friend to become addicted; he demanded complete loyalty from his protégés, causing a serious rift in his relationship with Carl Jung.This installment of the Biography series is a worthy addition, providing an enjoyable and educational look at "the doctor of love." --Jenny Brown ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Disappointing
I think this video probably needed to be 2 hours instead of 1. The coverage of Freud's major contributions/concepts is much too superficial--it also presumes previous knowledge. For example, "libido" is mentioned but the video fails to describe what Freud meant by that term. His conceptualization of personality (i.e., the id, ego, and superego) is never mentioned! Some interesting details about Freud's personal life, but the video fails to capture his theories and the controversies surrounding them.

it gave a brief synopsis of freud
I thought that the video didn't go into detail of explaning his profound theories. ... Read more

Description

His novels are among the most influential and acclaimed ever written. His life is obscured behind the myth that grew up around him. Ernest Hemingway claimed he didn't want his biography written until at least 100 yearsafter his death.But by then, it might be hard to separate fact from fiction.This featurelength BIOGRAPHY, narrated by Mariel Hemingway, follows in the footsteps of theNobel-Laureate in search of the man behind the myth.It is a fascinating trip through hisworld, from the hospital in Milan where he first found love to the resort communitywhere he took his own life.Rare film of Hemingway at rest, excerpts from letters andunpublished works and the memories of those who knew him all shed light on hisremarkable life.Among those interviewed for this definitive portrait are his sons Jackand Gregory, his best friend A.E. Hotchner, Gregorio Fuentes (The model for The OldMan and the Sea), publisher Charles Scribner III, hunter Clara Spiegel and matador JohnFulton.From the battlefields of Europe to the docks of Key West, BIOGRAPHY, tracesthe steps of the man who some call the most influential writer since Shakespeare. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

real hemingway.
This video is a masterpiece. I love Hemingway and here the man is captured in all his in your face-tortured-life loving-woman loving glory. The language in this video is hardly disturbing which makes me think the person who wrote a review for this video claiming it was full of curse words did not actually see it. If anything this video will instill in the viewer a need to read more about the man and his work. A rare video. I've seen it a half dozen times and it never loses it hold on me. For any Hemingway fan this is a must.

for educational purposes
The review belows states that this video is full of cuss words. Unless you're a nun, I don't see why you didn't show 14 year old students this video. I think they can handle words like ''damn'' and ''hell''.
This video is great. It captures the spirit of Hemmingway perfectly; a boy trying to find his masculinity. Perfect for teenage boys, to help them avoid mistakes Hemmingway may have made and realize who they are.

Not for educational purposes
I was very excited to find a video about the life of Ernest Hemingway. What a great introduction for my eighth grade class before we began reading Old Man and the Sea...so I thought. I was very disturbed with the profanity in the video. After the first few "cuss" words, I was just looking for a section I could show, perhaps 15-20 minutes that were profanity-free, alas, it was not to be. Although Hemingway's work is peppered with profanity, I found it unnecessary for the video about his life to be littered with it. What a huge disappointment. ... Read more

Description

He is widely regarded as the greatest artist who ever lived.Yet thisremarkable genius was equally skilled as an architect, engineer and scientist.Leonardoda Vinciís masterpieces are among the most famous and treasured works ever created. His revolutionary techniques transformed art, but he never achieved the fame enjoyed byhis younger rival Michelangelo.This definitive program traces Leonardoís life from hisTuscan boyhood to his death, in relative obscurity, in France.Extensive use of da Vinciísjournals, notes and sketches provide valuable insight into the mind of a genius whoanticipated many of the advances of modern science.And interviews with biographersand art historians provide insight into his life and legacy. Biography proudly presents theincredible story of Leonardo da Vinci the original Renaissance man. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A fascinating look at history's most brilliant thinker
Leonardo da Vinci was probably the most brilliant thinker to ever live. We all know he painted the Mona Lisa and the definitive portrait of The Last Supper, but he was also a scientist, an engineer, and so much more - a true Renaissance man. In fact, he was the original Renaissance man of the 15th century. He changed the art world forever by introducing a three dimensional aspect to his paintings and by giving life to human portraits so vivid and realistic that one almost forgets that they are not real people. I've never been much of an art fan, but da Vinci inspires in me an inspirational, almost devotional fascination with the truly great art he created. Just think how good a painter he could have been if he had been able to concentrate on his work - da Vinci was utterly fascinated with everything around him, and his mind could rarely stay focused on one thing for very long. I did not know this, but he actually left many of his most famous works of art unfinished - yet even these unfinished portraits stunned the art world and established him as the most influential painter of the age and probably of all time - although this fact was not fully appreciated in da Vinci's own time.

This video follows da Vinci from childhood in Italy to his death in France, succeeding fairly well in capturing the scope of ingenious thoughts and ideas. I knew little about the life of da Vinci, so I sat back and absorbed just about everything that came at me. I was a little saddened to learn that he was not truly appreciated during his own time; Florence, Italy, as things turned out, just wasn't big enough for da Vinci and Michelangelo both (and might I mention the fact that Michelangelo was quite a sourpuss about the whole thing). While his paintings amazed those who saw them and even caused his mentor to give up painting altogether, da Vinci was never truly acknowledged as a master among his contemporary rivals. On several occasions, he had to search out a sponsor for his work, and he was not included among the group of Italian masters sent to Rome in answer to a call for the country's most brilliant artists. More often that not, he assumed the duties of an engineer, and the ideas he played around with in his head almost defy belief. His notebooks record the working of this great mind at work in incredible detail (and da Vinci's distinctive backwards handwriting). Da Vinci's notebooks are simply teeming with new ideas, hyper-studious observations of man and machine, and incredible sketches and illustrations of such futuristic things as submarines, helicopters, automatic machine guns, fortification measures, and all sorts of incredible things that would not become reality until the twentieth century. We don't get to see nearly enough of these notebooks in the video, but of course one can never really see enough of them.

Naturally, the modern-day thinkers try to get inside da Vinci's head, and thus we are forced to endure speculation that da Vinci was gay. So he had young assistants who probably modeled for him - come on, any fellow who went around asking little girls to model nude for him would have been locked up in a second. Such speculation is a hurtful reminder of a most painful time in da Vinci's own life - at age 24, he was accused of sodomy, probably by a jealous rival. There was no proof of the charge, but the shameful stigma stayed with da Vinci all his life. He also got in trouble in the latter stages of his life, but this charge belies the cries of homosexuality, in my opinion. Da Vinci was fascinated with the workings of the human body, and at one point he was procuring human corpses for dissection. He wanted to know how the body worked, inside and out, but the Church put an end to his supposedly necromantic activities.

Forty five minutes cannot even begin to cover the life and genius of this extraordinary man, but I found this video very informative indeed and rank it among the most fascinating A&E Biography videos I have seen.

Entertaining and informative
I loved this -- I not only Learned a lot about Leonardo but was entertained by it. I didn't feel the personal stuff was overdone, I like to know about the human side of genius.

Extremely disappointing
A bland account that doesn't go very deeply into the subject and fixates more on the possibility of Da Vinci being homosexual than on the accomplishments and other interesting points of the mans life.

Certainly not worth the money spent to buy it or the time to view it.

Insufficient Data
I bought this video hoping to learn more about the Genius of the Renaissance and instead found it woefully inusfficient. There is in this fifty minute video much too little given to Da Vinci's own words on his notes, and too much speculation on whether or not he was gay. Of course, to A&E, every great artist from Shakespeare to Da Vinci is gay! Like what is their problem?! The progam never went into the depth about Da Vinci's fascination with mechanics - or the reason he never finished many of his paintings. For example, one fresco commisioned in Florence was never completed because he had used an ancient technique not meant for murals. For a much more thorough examination of the artist I recommend Questar's - The Life Of Leonardo Da Vinci.

Lesson Learned?
I am a middle-school teacher. I showed this video to my students with a worksheet to focus their attention. The worksheet had three sections: 1)List 10 facts about Leonardo di Vinci 2)List 5 facts about living in Leonardo's time 3)List the three things you know now that you did not before seeing this film. My students learned that Leonardo di Vinci was a homosexual and that he wrote backwards. Although they wrote many interesting facts about Leonardo, one week later these two items were about all that they could recall. ... Read more

Description

A revealing portrait of the nearly extinct "hillbilly" culture, focuses on mountain dancer Jesco White's uphill battle against abject poverty, drug abuse, petty crime and mental instability. In his struggle to live up to his father's legacy as the finest mountain dancer in Appalachia, he leans on Jesus, Elvis Presley, and his wife, Norma Jean.

DANCING OUTLAW has been screened at several major events, including the Sundance Film Festival.

DANCING OUTLAW has won 7 major awards, including: Best Public Television Program, 1992 Emmy Award and the American Film Institute Award. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Tragically hysterical. Or is it hysterically tragic?
It's both. It's "Dancing Outlaw" and it may very well be the scariest film ever made.

Dancing Outlaw" is the true story of Jesco (Jescoe, Jessco?) White, the most ignorant, backward, and flat out insane hillbilly to ever cut a rug on top of a doghouse. Remember all of those jokes about West Virginians? Well, those people exist and Jesco is one of them. Jesco and wife make the average Jerry Springer guest look like Ward Cleaver.

Besides dancing, Jesco likes to pretend he is Elvis, huff paint, drink, and terrorize his pathetic wife (...So I held the butcher knife up to her neck, right? And I said, "Woman! What did I tell you about cooking them sloppy slimey eggs!?") Jesco is obviously mentally disturbed and that will make you feel even worse about laughing at him. Some might find this documentary to be a bit too cruel. However, I got the feeling that the filmakers actually kind of liked Jesco. It is true, though, that a pretty dark view of humanity is presented here. This is very black comedy and the fact that it is real actually just gives it all a tragic significance. There are a lot of Jescos out there. I have never been so horrified and so amused at the same time.

This tape is expensive; too expensive for me. If you have the money, grab it. This movie will be THE cult classic for years to come. I thought it was out of print, but there it is. ... Read more

Description

He is one of the greatest artists of all time, a man whose name hasbecome synonymous with the word "masterpiece": Michelangelo Buonarotti.Creator ofunparalleled works of art painted on canvas and plaster, carved in marble and built fromstone, Michelangelo created a legacy of art treasured by the world: The ceiling of theSistine Chapel, the heroic marble sculpture of David, and the central plan for Saint Peter'sCathedral in Rome.Was he the tortured and lonely man who suffered agonies in pursuitof his art, as he is often portrayed?Art historians, museum curators and Renaissanceexperts help dispel the mysteries surrounding the man whose glorious works inspire us tothis day. Examine the broad canvas of Michelangelo's life and legacy to probe the verysoul of the artist who was recognized as a genius in his own lifetime. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

O K For A Short Biography
This is your average ho-hum documentary which in a few minutes tries to tell the life of a genius that over looked two centuries. Like A an E documentary on Leonardo Da Vinci the movie is mediocre at best, over looking many interesting facets of the artist'life. Like Da Vinci, Michaelangelo was multi talented - becoming a poet and architect as well as a sulptor and a painter. This documentary does not do justice at all to his great life. In want of something better I suggest the viewer read Iriving Stone's "The Agony and the Ecstasy". It is a sad world when people try to learn by watching movies or television alone! Please folks, in want of real information, go the local library and check out a book or buy one from Amazon.

The world's greates artist!
Michelangelo is the world's greatest artist. He was one of the best painters, sculptors, drawers, architects, and planner in his time. Go to his life story in Verona to the chapels he has built in Italy. See the glorious sculpture "David" that shows the youth of Italy. See beautiful paintings showing the creation of Adam, the Moses escape from Egypt, and so on. Learn some of the greatets secrets and problems of the great master. All sounds good? Then get this video!

------------------------AHMED MASHHOOD---------------------------

great movie
this is a relly good movie for ages 3 - 29 1/2. it doesn't go into a whole lot of detail though.

Terrific for any school art department to show!
I'm an art teacher at a middle school. I show "Michelangelo" every year to my 7th graders as they study the Renaissance. However this can as easily be used in a college course. This video not only has the specifics of his life, but gives a flavor of his time.

Superbly produced documentary
This video wastes no time in delving into the life and times of Michelangelo. It explains the circumstances of his birth and ascent into the Medici sphere of influence. The video also busts certain myths about Michelangelo, for example a Michelangelo scholar tells us that the artist was actually very wealthy-- which is interesting since much of Michelangelo's writings to his family talk of his financial hardships. All in all this was a great video. In this fast paced world where most people don't have the time to sit and read a book, this is the next best thing! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The A&E Biography of Nelson Mandela tells, in clear, complete, and exciting detail, the story of the man who dedicated his life to the struggle to end the domination of the black race by the whites in South Africa. Through interviews with colleagues and scholars and wonderful historical footage, we learn both about Mandela's amazing life story and the sweeping transformation that his nation has undergone.

The son of a tribal chief, Mandela was groomed for leadership in the countryside, far from urban racial tensions.When he ran away to Johannesburg as a young man, he was shocked by the violent inhumanity of apartheid, the government-enforced policy of racism.He soon became involved with the African National Congress (ANC), which was working to overturn this unjust and oppressive system.In response to their campaign of civil disobedience and sabotage, he and other ANC leaders were arrested, tried and sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island, South Africa's Alcatraz.

Against all odds, Mandela continued to fight apartheid from inside one of the world's harshest prisons, himself becoming a universal symbol of freedom.His release, after nearly three decades, electrified both his country and the world. At age 75, he was elected president in a landslide victory.It was Mandela's iron will and unshakable belief in the inevitability of his cause that made it possible for a man once imprisoned as a dangerous traitor to lead a nation. --Laura Mirsky ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Greatest Freedom Fighter of all Time!!
Nelson Mandela is probably known as one of the greatest freedom fighters of all time as wonderfully told and illustrated on this A&E Biography.It's a must see!!Nelson,we all love you!! ... Read more

Description

Isadora Duncan (1877-1927), the "Mother of Modern Dance," was a complex and charismatic rebel who dared to defy Victorian mores through both her art and the way she lived. In this illuminating and gracefully crafted documentary, excerpts from Duncan's speeches, essays and autobiography are interwoven with rare archival photographs, historic film footage and re-creations of twelve of Duncan's dances to provide a balanced and engaging portrait of one of this century's most outspoken and intriguing personalities. Duncan raised dance from mere vaudeville entertainment to a legitimate art form, laying the foundation for today's modern dance.

The first American performing artist to gain international acclaim, she dared to use her choreography to call people to arms, to express the plight of repressed workers and agitate for the freedom of women. The film chronicles the creation of Duncan's dance schools in Berlin, Paris and Moscow; her uninhibited love affairs; the birth and tragic death of her two illegitimate children; and her own famous demise when her scarf met the well of an Italian sports car. ISADORA DUNCAN uses not only Duncan's dances but also her own words to tell her story. The narration, read by stage and film star Julie Harris, is culled from Duncan's speeches, essays and autobiography, prividing a colorful and unsentimental framework for the film. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful bio of Isadora Duncan
I have seen most of the videos available regarding Isadora Duncan, and this is by far my favorite. The video is structured like a Ken Burns documentary with still photos and an assortment of period film clippings supplemented with voiceovers for the primary cast of characters. Julie Harris supplies the voice of Isadora Duncan (a wonderful choice!) and reads excerpts from Isadora's autobiography (My Life). She has a very expressive voice and makes you feel like you are listening to a wonderful storyteller reminiscing about her colorful and exciting life.

Examples of some of Isadora's best-known choreographies are performed by Lori Bellilove and Madeleine Lytton with a background chorus from the Oakland ballet. Lori in particular brings Isadora's choreography alive and makes you think that you have caught a glimpse of the legendary dancer and an idea of why she so fascinated audiences. Wonderful video... the dance excerpts alone are worth the purchase price. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The most fabled military leader of all time is chronicled in this episode of the A&E Biography series.Born to a Corsican family of shaky financial means, young Napoleon decided upon a military career as a child, winning a scholarship to a French military academy.His meteoric rise shocked not only France but all of Europe, and his military conquests threatened the stability of the world.Making copious use of contemporary drawings, paintings, and maps, and featuring interviews with military historians who specialize in studying Napoleon, the great commander is thoughtfully rendered as an enigmatic figure whose great military triumphs masked a deeply troubled personal life. His marriage to Josephine was tumultuous (and was at times the cause of his being the subject of ridicule), and his fanatical work habits, not to mention a legendary temper, made him a notoriously difficult personality.His insatiable appetite for glory and conquest led him to overcome most obstacles in his path, yet his supreme confidence in himself eventually led him to his defeat at Waterloo and his exile on a desolate island.This is a lively, informative, and entertaining look at one of the most influential figures in all of history.--Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (2)

It's for teenagers, not for adult history fans.
See, I'm a history fan. I know everything French. I feel frustrated when I finished watching this video. It's not much more than some still pictures with no professional-level narration. It's a cheap show, not history. Can't believe it's from A&E. However, I understand. It could be an issue of money. Fund they have doesn't allow the makers of this movie to replay the history in a thorough and precise way. Sigh ... Who will pay for history study nowadays? None.

The Great Napoleon
I hail Napoleon Bonaparte as having been a truly recgonized conqueror of modern times. A&E'e Biographly did help to clear- up some points, that I had failed to fully understand during my reading about him. I was hoping to learn more about his General's i.e was it true about their betrayal of him? All in all, I think it was a well produce portrait, of one of the three greatest men in all the history of this world.

bevil ... Read more

Amazon.com

1984's Amadeus didn't tell the whole story.For a more complete look at the great composer's all-too-brief life, check out A&E's Biography: Mozart.Putting together interviews with modern scholars and musicians such as Zubin Mehta and Isaac Stern, readings of Mozart's letters, and portraits of the little genius and his contemporaries, this documentary is deeply entertaining and provides a level of insight rarely attained by an hour-long television program.The music, of course, is lovely; Mozart was no arcane theorist and his music is lively and enjoyable, even to classical-music haters.But his wild life, not his vibrant music, is the subject here, and his loves, obsessions, and turbulent family life steal the show.Whether your interest lies in great music or great minds, you'll find much to appreciate in Biography: Mozart. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (1)

THE HEART IS WHERE HIS MUSIC LAY
Born into a family surrounded by music, Mozart was like many of today prodiges, with one exception... he excelled at what he did inspite of his father's ruthless treatment and pursued music because he truly felt it with his soul. Beautiful footage, historically accurate and filled with the wonderful splendor of Mozart's music, this video brings you in touch with the very soul that Mozart put into his music. Starting with his very first piano sonata at the age of six, which made his father realize his child's genius, to the funeral piece he was working on at the time of his death, we see a man with a burning soul to express his feelings and thoughts through his music. A genius tortured by emotional unrest, yet married to a very beautiful and loving wife, Mozart shows us that the dynamics of genius are truly unique to the genius himself and can only be expressed in the most unique of fashions, in his case his music. This production is appropriate in it's coverage, length of time and is filled with the thoughts of todays most celebrated pianists, violinists and conductors, all of whom share the same passion for Mozart's music as for no other master musician since his days. ... Read more

Description

DORIS DAY explores the megastar's popular successes as well as herprivate failures.From her first starring role in Romance on the High Seas to reinventingher image in Pillow Talk to starring in her own TV show, Doris entertained her publicwith a heart of gold.A two-hour program, BIOGRAPHY:DORIS DAY features scenesfrom feature films, popular songs, rare photographs and interviews with friends andcolleagues, including band leader Les Brown, film critic Molly Haskell, actors JamesGarner, Kaye Ballard, Jackie Joseph, Edie Adams and others. Other highlights includeexcerpts from songs "Sentimental Journey" and "Que Sera Sera."Scenes from YoungMan with a Horn, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Pillow Talk and more. (This program will be Closed-Captioned for the Hearing Impaired ... Read more

Reviews (4)

In 1948 - A Star Was Born: Doris Day
Well, it paid off! I, along with thousands of her fans, bombarded BIOGRAPHY with letters and e-mails to do a TWO HOUR special on Doris Day. We felt that one hour would not be enough to cover her entire career which included radio, nightclubs, recordings, movies and television. Doris Day's career has been spectacular. To this day, she remains the Top Female Box Office Star of All Time. For ten years, she was on Herald's Top Ten List, several times at the very top of that list. This was a remarkable achievement. What is even more amazing is that Miss Day had a second, full time career as a recording artist and she charted regularly with big hits like "Whatever Will Be, Will Be," "Secret Love", "It's Magic", "Everybody Loves a Lover", "If I Give My Heart to You" and many more. She was bringing out two albums per year, plus the soundtracks from her films. As a result, her discography is vast.

During all of this success was a private life, which was not all "moonlight and roses". As outlined in her biography, DORIS DAY: HER OWN STORY by A. E. Hotchner, Day's childhood was not perfect, neither were her marriages. The persona created by the fan magazines was in stark contrast to the lady on the silver screen's private life. Day was never Miss Goody Two-Shoes, but she was a decent, caring human being. Because of her decency and desire to set a good example for her son, she was unfairly mocked during the turbulence of the late '60s when social standards were changing.

A harrowing incident involving Charles Manson brought an uneasiness to her life and a fear that the Manson family might harm her or her son.

This documentary covers most of Doris Day's life and the interviews with Terry Melcher, Kaye Ballard, Les Brown, Molly Haskell, etc. are very enlightening.

Now, it's time for Lifetime's Intimate Portraits to do a THREE HOUR Tribute to, arguably, "the last of the great movie queens", Doris Day.

It Truly IS Magic!
This is a great tribute to a great performer,and includes rare footage of her and the 'Band Of Renown',performing the classics 'Is It Love,Or Is It Conscription?',and 'My Lost Horizons'.

Featuring interviews with Molly Haskell,A.E.Hotchner,Edie Adams,Kaye Ballard,Les Brown,Terry Melcher,James Garner and John Raitt,it traces the life and film history of the darling of America from her humble beginnings in a German suburb of Cincenatti,where she was Doris Kappelhoff,to her show on the Christian Network,'Doris Day's Best Friends'.

It features great photos and scenes from her movies,and recordings of some of her favorite songs,'Que Sera,Sera','Secret Love',and,of course,'It's Magic'.

Her troubled marriage to Martin Melcher,her friendship with Rock Hudson and her brushings with the Charles Manson cult are all documented,although Doris herself does not personally appear.

Here is a heartbreaking tale of one woman's life,a triumph against the odds.

A Magical Must-have Biography !
On the 18th October 1998 the U.S Television Network A&E premiered this extensive documentary about Doris's life which runs for 100 minutes !

This to me was one of the superb highlights of 1998, I was engrossed in seeing the clips from her career & thoroughly loved it.....'It's Magic' is a very interesting in depth look into Doris's life right back from the beginning to present day documenting the Good and Bad times she has endured. You discover the many changes she has made to her life and learn about the diverse career she has had. It doesn't however feature any NEW interviews with Doris but does interlace films clips, songs, rare photos, and comments from Terry Melcher (her son) & other working colleagues like James Garner, Les Brown, Kaye Ballard.

Doris Day IS Magic
This biography of the life of Doris Day is a must see for all Doris Day admirers, and for all who like to view an absorbing biographical documentary. This is an in depth study of the life of a truly gifted and outstanding performer, who also happens to be an outstanding human being as well. Fascinating to see her many friends speak of her, especially great to see her son Terry giving his unique insights into the person who is such a loved star and also his Mom. It IS magic! ... Read more

Description

"He held absolute power over the Soviet Union for 29 years.His legacyarguably surpasses even Hitler's he sent over 20 million of his own countrymen to theirdeaths! Josef Stalin is one of the greatest tyrants of all time.Since the collapse of theSoviet Union, the extent of his atrocities have been revealed to a stunned world, and hehas taken his place alongside Hitler as one of the most reviled leaders of the century. This comprehensive portrait revisits the life of ""Uncle Joe"" through astonishing Sovietarchival film and an astonishing collection of interviews.Biographers Robert Conquestand Edvard Radzinsky explore his disastrous reforms, including the collectivization ofagriculture and his massive purges.Former interpreter Valentin Berezhkov offers a first- person view of the dictator, while purge victim Dr. Janusz Bardach talks about his time inthe Gulags.And in a rare interview Mikail Gorbachev explores the rise, rule and legacyof the most infamous of all his predecessors.BIOGRAPHY; proudly presents adefinitive history of one of the most important, compelling and hated men in history." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A lesson in what absolute power can do to a country
My friends are often surprised when I mention that one of the historical figures that I would like to meet is Joseph Stalin. I would like the opportunity to look into the eyes of a man who methodically planned and ordered the deaths of over 20 million people. Of course, I would only do so through the safety of historical retrospective, because without that, it would mean certain death. Stalin was a brutal man, yet in his own way a master politician. One of the most astonishing facts of history was the public and private statements of Franklin Roosevelt, who said that he liked "Old Joe." These statements were made after Roosevelt was well aware of what Stalin had done in the Soviet Union.
This history of Stalin captures the essence of his rule and the amazing hold he had on the vast Soviet Union. Millions of people treated him as an infallible demi-god, although one wonders how much of the adulation was genuine compared to that which was simple self-preservation in a society terrified with itself. The best part, and the most telling about Stalin was the description of how he eliminated all of his rivals among the old Bolsheviks. By making alliances with one side and then the other, Stalin was able to eliminate all of his enemies. In the final analysis, the old Bolsheviks (other than Stalin), were fundamentally intellectuals, who were ruthless to their external enemies, but could not stomach a death battle with a comrade. Stalin of course had no such scruples and he swept aside all opposition, killing all who even hinted at opposition.
With the downfall of the Soviet Union, more information has come out and we now know how much of a tyrant Stalin was. We should all study this tape and learn what unchecked power can do to a country and a man. It is also a reminder of how wise the framers of the U. S. constitution were when they designed the three branches of government with the conflicting checks and balances.

A Brief Introduction to the Life of an Anti-Christ
This video serves well the casual viewer who is looking for a quick introduction to the life of this monster. The interviews that put Stalin into an historical context are quite interesting, especially those with Condoleezza Rice, a renowned Kremlinologist before becoming National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush.

A Brief But Good Look at a Bad Life
In a span of only 45-50 minutes of total video time, the producers of this biography of Stalin can't spend much time lingering on the details of Stalin's life. The pace is quick, starting with "the Man of Steel's" birth, his rise to power, abuse of power, role in WW2 and ultimate death and legacy. Incorporating lively and interesting narration by Jack Perkins, archival footage and photographs as well as interviews with Gorbachev, Stalin's grandson, gulag survivors, a former aid to Stalin and several American Soviet historians, the production captures the essence of Stalin's life and leadership, but does not penetrate deeply into the multiple layers of academic history. ... Read more