Engineering an Empire 2

[josephv]

Good day, I just got the DVD for "Engineering an Empire" from the History Channel. I really found it interesting. For example, I did not know that Hero of Alexandria had already invented a steam engine, or that Carthage mass produced their ships, or that the Aztecs had an aqueduct.

http://www.history.com/marquee.do?marquee_id=51188

Did anyone watch this series? What did you think?

 

[KENAT]

I've seen some of it. It's interesting but having been disapointed by the accuracy of their journalism when it crosses areas I do know something about I tend to take it with a pinch of salt.

 

[josephv]

Good point Kenat, I noticed a few facts were skipped or enhanced. Overall, I did learn quite a bit though.

Also, I noticed the computer graphics were very good in some shows, and not as strong in others.

It was interesting, and would like to see more shows like this in the future. I found Peter Weller's commentary to be entertaining (e.g. "Carthage was one of the most advanced empires in the ..... Hello this is Peter Weller for the History Channel!")

 

[KENAT]

Yes, don't get me wrong I like it a lot. It combines two of my interests, History & Engineering plus there's often some military stuff in there which makes it my tripple whamy;-).

I'm just down on the accuracy of TV journalism (or any journalism) generally at the moment, per my post on another forum. So excuse my lack of enthusiasm.

I watched the one on Egypt just last night, as well as the obvious pyramids they also built some of the first significant fortifications. In fact some features of the computer graphic they showed resembled features in late european forts which I found impressive.

 

[IRstuff]

What's kind of cool is that Weller appears to be genuinely interested in the subject. Or, he could be just a good actor, or not.

TTFN

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[KENAT]

Yeah, he is pretty enthusiastic. It's like having it all narrated by a movie anouncer or something but without it getting annoying.

I like the show a lot, the more I think about it the more I start to think I was a bit harsh.

 

[KENAT]

I just realized watching it earlier that he isn't the actual narrator.

He does seem pretty interested though like IRstuff says.

 

[PSE]

It is an enjoyable series and the history channel along with the discovery channel are a couple of favorites. They have also been doing a series (though the title currently escapes me) on technological developments of the chinese. It is entertaining stuff from a broad overview stanpoint.

Regards,

 

[DaveVikingPE]

Pick up a copy fo L. Sprague de Camp's "the Ancient Engineers." it's a good companion to all the TV shows.

 

[josephv]

Thank you Dave, I will look into getting that book.

There is another book called "Engineering in the Ancient World" by J.G.Landels. Has anyone read it?

 

[Pressed]

Triple Whamy, hehe, I agree.

Weller is a bonafide college professor of history.

Most of those shows are good to see once, a few more than once.

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[ScottyUK]

Yeah, it's an interesting series. The one on Britain was reasonably accurate I think, and the more depressing for it. What was wrong with our policy of slavery, invasion, wars, and global domination? Our former empire has all gone to rack and ruin since we stopped running the show!


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