History Meets Geography
This is where History meets another school subject such as geography, English, Science, and Reality TV.
Living with Nomads - Siberia (51:03) Raute (51:32) Mongolia (51:12)
Kate Humble travels to three different nomadic groups in Mongolia, Siberia, and Nepal. She explores a tribe of goat herders in Mongolia. Then she travels to Siberia to learn about the reindeer herders in the Siberian tundra. Then she travels to Nepal and learns about the Raute people, who are the last of the community of nomads. These nomadic people are under increasing pressure from the modern world, so how do these people keep their traditional way of life? *Recommended for research purposes.*
The Spice Trail - Episode 1 (58:27) Episode 2 (57:43) Episode 3 (57:52)
Spices help transform meals and have revolutionized the way we eat. Spices changed the course of human history. Kate Humble travels the globe to learn how spices became a part of our kitchens. She learns about pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla, and saffron. She follows the first spice explorers. She learns about where these spices came from, their impact on the people, and how spices shaped the modern world. *Highly recommended for both a history class and a food science class.*
Great Canal Journeys - Llangollen (46:18) Grand Union (46:26) Rochale Canal (46:18) Kennet and Avon (46:18) Forth and Clyde (46:21) London's Lost Route to the Sea (46:12) Canal du Midi (46:07) Canal du Nivernais (47:04)
Timothy West and Prunella Scales, husband and wife actors and canal lovers take tours around Britain on the variety of canals in the United Kingdom. They have been married for over 50 years and Prunella is suffering from dementia. Together, they travel the canals while Pru is able to. They travel the Kennet & Avon, Rochdale, Llangollen, Oxford Canal, and others. They highlight the splendid scenery of Britain and the history of each canal. *Recommended for a geography class.*
Japan - YouTube (45:52)
Japan, is a culture rich with history and a legendary ancient culture. According to legend, this island was formed by the tears of a goddess. It is a land of cherry blossoms. It is the land of the Samurai. This documentary explores the earliest origins of the island. It goes into how the warlords shaped these islands into the country today. What does the archaeological evidence tell us about Japan? *Put on your list of potential documentaries to show to a history and geography class.*
Coffee - YouTube (48:59)
Coffee is the world’s most popular drink, it is the second most sought-after commodity. It has transformed societies around the world. Café culture has boomed. Over two billion cups have been drunk every day. The history of the world has been transformed by this drink. We could not imagine a time without coffee. However, coffee’s beginnings are surrounded by mystery and legend. So what is the story behind coffee? *Recommended for a history class as well as a food history class.*
Behind the Art: The Louvre's Hidden Engineering Secrets - YouTube (54:05)
In the middle of Paris, Frances likes a marvel of engineering. It is a supersized structure and is the largest museum in the world. This museum attracts over ten million visitors every year. The building in question is known as the Louvre. Using modern technology, drones, and satellite images, the Louvre is being studied like never before. How did this building evolve from a small castle to a modern marvel of engineering? What was behind its construction? *Recommended for history class.*
Aachen Cathedral - YouTube (52:18)
The Aachen Cathedral is a German National treasure. It was built by the Emperor Charlemagne and was the only building that remains from his era. It has witnessed much of history. German Kings and Holy Roman Emperors were crowned here. It is home to a mysterious throne. It became the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Germany. It is a building of treasures. It is a building charged with history. What secrets lie beneath Aachen Cathedral’s walls? *Recommended for a history class and use sections for a STEM class.*
Invite Mr. Wright
Episode 1 - (43:38)
Ian Wright is going to Madrid, Spain. He was invited by a flamenco superstar to stay in his home and Ian will spend his time learning about flamenco. This is a unique series where Ian Wright is invited to people’s houses to stay to learn about a local culture. He learns about the instruments of flamenco. Eventually, he learns how to flamenco dance. Will he become an expert in Flamenco at the end of this trip or will he fall flat on his face? *Not recommended for a geography class.*
Episode 2 - (45:17)
Ian Wright travels to Singapore. It is a city-state known for its conservative views as well as for is fast-paced development. It is a place where gum is banned. These may be challenges for an outsider to navigate. However, Ian Wright was invited to stay for a long weekend so he could learn to navigate those challenges. He will learn more about what Singapore has to offer. *Recommended for a geography class.*
Episode 3 - (43:55)
Ian is no stranger to India, however, he knows nothing about Bollywood. So he is traveling to India to stay in a fancy hotel with one of the top stars of Bollywood. Bollywood is the world’s biggest film industry. What is Bollywood really about? What does it take to make it in Bollywood? Ian will tour film sets with the actor. He sees the sees the fans. He learns about the publicity behind Bollywood. So does Ian have what it takes to make it Bollywood? *Recommended for a geography class.*
Journeys to the End of the Earth
People of the Flame - YouTube (50:23)
David Adams explores Iran. It is considered Earth’s final frontier. Iran does not receive many visitors from Western travelers and has been at the center of world affairs. Adams takes a peek behind the veil and discovers a complex culture. He discovers incredibly hospitalized people in Iran. He starts in Tehran and goes through the Valley of the Assassins, learning about Marco Polo’s trip. Then he journeys into the land of the Fire Worshipers of Yazd. *Recommended for a geography class, not a history class.*
Keepers of the Ark - YouTube (50:23)
David Adams travels to Ethiopia, one of the world’s oldest Christian nations. He is looking for the Ark of the Covenant over the Ethiopian Christmas Holiday. He will visit Ethiopia’s most sacred shrines on his journey. He takes in the sights of the churches of Lalibela. He travels with a family through the highlands of Ethiopia. He is in search of the Ark of The Covenant. Many have tried to look for this religious object and many have failed. Will David find this relic? What does he learn along the way? *Recommended for a geography class, not a history class.*
The Last Trail of Butch and Sundance - YouTube (50:23)
David Adams follows the trail of two American outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids in the deserts of Bolivia. They had moved out of the US and settled in South America for a time. In 1908, these two outlaws disappeared south of Bolivia, not far from Argentina. Did they fake their deaths? Or were they killed by the Bolivian Calvary? Why do these outlaws continue to capture the public imagination? David Adams learns more about this mystery and tries to discover the true story of what happened in their final hours. *Recommended for a geography class.*
The Lost World of the Khmer Rouge - YouTube (50:22)
Cambodia is a place of jungles and ruins. It was the place of the god-kings. Monks still seek peace in these jungles. This land is finally opening up and revealing its beauty. For thirty years, the jungles and the country have been cut off from the modern world and during that time it was a Khmer Rouge stronghold. David Adams penetrates these jungles to meet with former Khmer Rouge militants to enter these last bastions. He visits the final resting place of Pol Pot. Now the purpose of the Khmer Rouge is to protect the jungles, however, as Adams discovers are not as easy to get into as it seems. *HIGHLY recommended for a geography class.*
Swahili Sinbads - YouTube (50:19)
Sinbad is a legendary mariner who came from Baghdad. His story appears in One Thousand and One Nights stories. He was an extraordinary character, seaman, merchant, and warrior. He encountered many lands and many different creatures. David Adams will follow in the footsteps of this legend. He will not only learn about this man but also learn about the trading that had gone on along the Kenyan Coast. *Not recommended for a History, English, or geography class.*
Russia's Forbidden Zone - YouTube (50:22)
Siberia, Russia is unlike any place on earth. Kamchatka is nine time zones away from Russia. It is a place as far east as it is west. This is a place of one hundred thousand lakes, 300 geysers, 414 glaciers; and 100 volcanoes. It is a place that is the size of California. It is a Nuclear no-go zone and off-limits to the world. It is an icebox that David Adams is going to go to. He is in search of the last known wild men of the Far East. *Recommended for a history and a geography class.*
Alexander's Lost World
Explorations on an Ancient Sea - YouTube (49:30)
In the high plains of Asia, the remains of an ancient world are hidden. Alexander the Great made his way to these plains to conquer the world. He was going to fight against the Persian Empire and his campaign would take him east. The landscape he would have encountered would have been very different from today. In fact, there was a civilization that thrived on a large inland sea in this area. David Adams is in search of this lost civilization and this lost sea. *Recommended for a history, literature class, and geography class.*
The Mother of All Cities - YouTube (48:00)
David Adams continues his journey to explore Alexander the Great’s lost world. When he conquered the Persian Empire, he would become the first Western to rule the East. During his campaign to conquer Persia, he would have encountered a civilization as developed as the Greeks. Today, Alexander the Great is known as the Devil, however, he had left behind his mark. He built many cities and David Adams is in search of one that has been lost to time: Bactra. *Recommended for a history and geography class.*
Alexandria on the Oxus - YouTube (48:05)
David Adams continued his travels along the River Oxus, which was home to a great civilization. He continues traveling through Afghanistan to learn more about Alexander the Great. It was here that a highly developed civilization lived. He continued to push the Greek Empire into the Persian Empire. Along the way, he would have built grand cities, even in the midst of warring tribes. It was said that Alexander the Great had built many Greek Cities, so what is the truth about these cities? *Recommended for a history and geography class.*
Source of Civilization - YouTube (49:22)
As Alexander the Great marched east along mountain passes he would have encountered a rugged landscape. He would have encountered forgotten cities and a variety of tribes on his journey to India. In this episode, David Adams looks for the source of the River Oxus. He will encounter the same landscapes as Alexander the Great, in search of the ultimate prize: India. However, like Alexander the Great, David Adams will have to travel along tangled and oftentimes dangerous ancient pathways. What sites does Adams encounter along the way? *Recommended for a history and geography class.*
Land of the Golden Fleece - YouTube (47:48)
Alexander not only sought out riches during his conquest of the East but he was also inspired by the quest of Jason and the Argonauts. Adams continues to retrace the route that both Alexander the Great and the traders who sought the treasures of the East. The Oxus River region was a land of shifting environments and a challenge to the people who traveled it. Adams faced these challenges head-on as he followed the footsteps of Alexander the Great. What treasures will Adams find along the way? *Recommended for a history and geography class.*
City of the Moon Lady - YouTube (47:31)
When Alexander the Great went east to conquer Persia, he would establish sixteen cities along the way. However, this theory is now thought to be false. It could have been that the cities were already existing when Alexander went through and he merely built upon them. David Adams is in search of what remains of these cities. These cities are in Northern Afghanistan, a territory that has its challenges. So what did David Adams learn along the way? *Recommended for a history and geography class.*
Kate Humble travels to three different nomadic groups in Mongolia, Siberia, and Nepal. She explores a tribe of goat herders in Mongolia. Then she travels to Siberia to learn about the reindeer herders in the Siberian tundra. Then she travels to Nepal and learns about the Raute people, who are the last of the community of nomads. These nomadic people are under increasing pressure from the modern world, so how do these people keep their traditional way of life? *Recommended for research purposes.*
The Spice Trail - Episode 1 (58:27) Episode 2 (57:43) Episode 3 (57:52)
Spices help transform meals and have revolutionized the way we eat. Spices changed the course of human history. Kate Humble travels the globe to learn how spices became a part of our kitchens. She learns about pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla, and saffron. She follows the first spice explorers. She learns about where these spices came from, their impact on the people, and how spices shaped the modern world. *Highly recommended for both a history class and a food science class.*
Great Canal Journeys - Llangollen (46:18) Grand Union (46:26) Rochale Canal (46:18) Kennet and Avon (46:18) Forth and Clyde (46:21) London's Lost Route to the Sea (46:12) Canal du Midi (46:07) Canal du Nivernais (47:04)
Timothy West and Prunella Scales, husband and wife actors and canal lovers take tours around Britain on the variety of canals in the United Kingdom. They have been married for over 50 years and Prunella is suffering from dementia. Together, they travel the canals while Pru is able to. They travel the Kennet & Avon, Rochdale, Llangollen, Oxford Canal, and others. They highlight the splendid scenery of Britain and the history of each canal. *Recommended for a geography class.*
Japan - YouTube (45:52)
Japan, is a culture rich with history and a legendary ancient culture. According to legend, this island was formed by the tears of a goddess. It is a land of cherry blossoms. It is the land of the Samurai. This documentary explores the earliest origins of the island. It goes into how the warlords shaped these islands into the country today. What does the archaeological evidence tell us about Japan? *Put on your list of potential documentaries to show to a history and geography class.*
Coffee - YouTube (48:59)
Coffee is the world’s most popular drink, it is the second most sought-after commodity. It has transformed societies around the world. Café culture has boomed. Over two billion cups have been drunk every day. The history of the world has been transformed by this drink. We could not imagine a time without coffee. However, coffee’s beginnings are surrounded by mystery and legend. So what is the story behind coffee? *Recommended for a history class as well as a food history class.*
Behind the Art: The Louvre's Hidden Engineering Secrets - YouTube (54:05)
In the middle of Paris, Frances likes a marvel of engineering. It is a supersized structure and is the largest museum in the world. This museum attracts over ten million visitors every year. The building in question is known as the Louvre. Using modern technology, drones, and satellite images, the Louvre is being studied like never before. How did this building evolve from a small castle to a modern marvel of engineering? What was behind its construction? *Recommended for history class.*
Aachen Cathedral - YouTube (52:18)
The Aachen Cathedral is a German National treasure. It was built by the Emperor Charlemagne and was the only building that remains from his era. It has witnessed much of history. German Kings and Holy Roman Emperors were crowned here. It is home to a mysterious throne. It became the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Germany. It is a building of treasures. It is a building charged with history. What secrets lie beneath Aachen Cathedral’s walls? *Recommended for a history class and use sections for a STEM class.*
Invite Mr. Wright
Episode 1 - (43:38)
Ian Wright is going to Madrid, Spain. He was invited by a flamenco superstar to stay in his home and Ian will spend his time learning about flamenco. This is a unique series where Ian Wright is invited to people’s houses to stay to learn about a local culture. He learns about the instruments of flamenco. Eventually, he learns how to flamenco dance. Will he become an expert in Flamenco at the end of this trip or will he fall flat on his face? *Not recommended for a geography class.*
Episode 2 - (45:17)
Ian Wright travels to Singapore. It is a city-state known for its conservative views as well as for is fast-paced development. It is a place where gum is banned. These may be challenges for an outsider to navigate. However, Ian Wright was invited to stay for a long weekend so he could learn to navigate those challenges. He will learn more about what Singapore has to offer. *Recommended for a geography class.*
Episode 3 - (43:55)
Ian is no stranger to India, however, he knows nothing about Bollywood. So he is traveling to India to stay in a fancy hotel with one of the top stars of Bollywood. Bollywood is the world’s biggest film industry. What is Bollywood really about? What does it take to make it in Bollywood? Ian will tour film sets with the actor. He sees the sees the fans. He learns about the publicity behind Bollywood. So does Ian have what it takes to make it Bollywood? *Recommended for a geography class.*
Journeys to the End of the Earth
People of the Flame - YouTube (50:23)
David Adams explores Iran. It is considered Earth’s final frontier. Iran does not receive many visitors from Western travelers and has been at the center of world affairs. Adams takes a peek behind the veil and discovers a complex culture. He discovers incredibly hospitalized people in Iran. He starts in Tehran and goes through the Valley of the Assassins, learning about Marco Polo’s trip. Then he journeys into the land of the Fire Worshipers of Yazd. *Recommended for a geography class, not a history class.*
Keepers of the Ark - YouTube (50:23)
David Adams travels to Ethiopia, one of the world’s oldest Christian nations. He is looking for the Ark of the Covenant over the Ethiopian Christmas Holiday. He will visit Ethiopia’s most sacred shrines on his journey. He takes in the sights of the churches of Lalibela. He travels with a family through the highlands of Ethiopia. He is in search of the Ark of The Covenant. Many have tried to look for this religious object and many have failed. Will David find this relic? What does he learn along the way? *Recommended for a geography class, not a history class.*
The Last Trail of Butch and Sundance - YouTube (50:23)
David Adams follows the trail of two American outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids in the deserts of Bolivia. They had moved out of the US and settled in South America for a time. In 1908, these two outlaws disappeared south of Bolivia, not far from Argentina. Did they fake their deaths? Or were they killed by the Bolivian Calvary? Why do these outlaws continue to capture the public imagination? David Adams learns more about this mystery and tries to discover the true story of what happened in their final hours. *Recommended for a geography class.*
The Lost World of the Khmer Rouge - YouTube (50:22)
Cambodia is a place of jungles and ruins. It was the place of the god-kings. Monks still seek peace in these jungles. This land is finally opening up and revealing its beauty. For thirty years, the jungles and the country have been cut off from the modern world and during that time it was a Khmer Rouge stronghold. David Adams penetrates these jungles to meet with former Khmer Rouge militants to enter these last bastions. He visits the final resting place of Pol Pot. Now the purpose of the Khmer Rouge is to protect the jungles, however, as Adams discovers are not as easy to get into as it seems. *HIGHLY recommended for a geography class.*
Swahili Sinbads - YouTube (50:19)
Sinbad is a legendary mariner who came from Baghdad. His story appears in One Thousand and One Nights stories. He was an extraordinary character, seaman, merchant, and warrior. He encountered many lands and many different creatures. David Adams will follow in the footsteps of this legend. He will not only learn about this man but also learn about the trading that had gone on along the Kenyan Coast. *Not recommended for a History, English, or geography class.*
Russia's Forbidden Zone - YouTube (50:22)
Siberia, Russia is unlike any place on earth. Kamchatka is nine time zones away from Russia. It is a place as far east as it is west. This is a place of one hundred thousand lakes, 300 geysers, 414 glaciers; and 100 volcanoes. It is a place that is the size of California. It is a Nuclear no-go zone and off-limits to the world. It is an icebox that David Adams is going to go to. He is in search of the last known wild men of the Far East. *Recommended for a history and a geography class.*
Alexander's Lost World
Explorations on an Ancient Sea - YouTube (49:30)
In the high plains of Asia, the remains of an ancient world are hidden. Alexander the Great made his way to these plains to conquer the world. He was going to fight against the Persian Empire and his campaign would take him east. The landscape he would have encountered would have been very different from today. In fact, there was a civilization that thrived on a large inland sea in this area. David Adams is in search of this lost civilization and this lost sea. *Recommended for a history, literature class, and geography class.*
The Mother of All Cities - YouTube (48:00)
David Adams continues his journey to explore Alexander the Great’s lost world. When he conquered the Persian Empire, he would become the first Western to rule the East. During his campaign to conquer Persia, he would have encountered a civilization as developed as the Greeks. Today, Alexander the Great is known as the Devil, however, he had left behind his mark. He built many cities and David Adams is in search of one that has been lost to time: Bactra. *Recommended for a history and geography class.*
Alexandria on the Oxus - YouTube (48:05)
David Adams continued his travels along the River Oxus, which was home to a great civilization. He continues traveling through Afghanistan to learn more about Alexander the Great. It was here that a highly developed civilization lived. He continued to push the Greek Empire into the Persian Empire. Along the way, he would have built grand cities, even in the midst of warring tribes. It was said that Alexander the Great had built many Greek Cities, so what is the truth about these cities? *Recommended for a history and geography class.*
Source of Civilization - YouTube (49:22)
As Alexander the Great marched east along mountain passes he would have encountered a rugged landscape. He would have encountered forgotten cities and a variety of tribes on his journey to India. In this episode, David Adams looks for the source of the River Oxus. He will encounter the same landscapes as Alexander the Great, in search of the ultimate prize: India. However, like Alexander the Great, David Adams will have to travel along tangled and oftentimes dangerous ancient pathways. What sites does Adams encounter along the way? *Recommended for a history and geography class.*
Land of the Golden Fleece - YouTube (47:48)
Alexander not only sought out riches during his conquest of the East but he was also inspired by the quest of Jason and the Argonauts. Adams continues to retrace the route that both Alexander the Great and the traders who sought the treasures of the East. The Oxus River region was a land of shifting environments and a challenge to the people who traveled it. Adams faced these challenges head-on as he followed the footsteps of Alexander the Great. What treasures will Adams find along the way? *Recommended for a history and geography class.*
City of the Moon Lady - YouTube (47:31)
When Alexander the Great went east to conquer Persia, he would establish sixteen cities along the way. However, this theory is now thought to be false. It could have been that the cities were already existing when Alexander went through and he merely built upon them. David Adams is in search of what remains of these cities. These cities are in Northern Afghanistan, a territory that has its challenges. So what did David Adams learn along the way? *Recommended for a history and geography class.*
Updated on July 12, 2024
