The History Chan

The story of Russian writer and Soviet dissident Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918-2008) and his masterpiece, The Gulag Archipelago, published in Paris in 1973, which forever shook the very foundations of communist ideology.

Historian Dr Suzannah Lipscomb unfolds the extraordinary story of the tumultuous love affair between Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and asks: was it really love that brought them together – and was it love that tore them apart? Suzannah's journey will take her from Anne's childhood home at Hever Castle in Kent to the French palace where, some say, she learned the art of love. She will also visit Hampton Court, where Henry built the Great Hall for his new queen, and the Tower of London, where he had her beheaded.

The "man who didn't change history" was a university professor: Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli, esteemed Italian scholar of Roman art and a founding father of modern archaeology. A figure that the Fascist regime could be proud of, in the 1930s, if it weren't for the fact that the professor was firmly anti-Fascist. Things came to a head over Hitler's famous journey to Italy in 1938, when Bandinelli was courteously invited to accompany Mussolini and the Führer, serving as tour guide and interpreter at the museums and archaeological sites. Now the dilemma arose: don the uniform and salute the two detested dictators, or compromise a lifetime of study, his career and even his personal safety? When the invitation turned into a peremptory order that Bandinelli couldn't refuse, he no longer had a choice.

Using the legendary 10-day battle known as Hamburger Hill as its centerpiece, this History Channel documentary discloses the techniques behind the brand of jungle warfare perfected by the North Vietnamese army, or Viet Cong. Their ingenious attacks, planned from a network of underground tunnels, proved a formidable match for U.S. troops, whose commanders came to realize that their outdated tactics were poorly suited for this kind of warfare.

This program reveals that although alien sightings have become a big part of modern pop culture, they're nothing new. For thousands of years, people all around the world have pointed to the skies and seen incredible flying objects. Dramatic re-creations, historical artifacts and interviews with leading UFO experts make a case that alien life forms have been in contact with Earth since ancient times.

Explores the history of drugs. From the early cave dwellers who first stumbled upon psychedelic mushrooms to the over 6000-year-old tradition of opium cultivation in the East to a modern pharmaceutical industry with over 24,000 drugs on the market, drugs have played a role in our lives since well before recorded human history. THE STONED AGES explores the reasons weve used drugs through the ages to heal our bodies and minds, to connect with a higher power, to feel better, for recreation, to escape, for performance enhancement, and even to prolong our lives while considering the devastating consequences that accompany the choice to use certain drugs. This fascinating, fresh, and insightful documentary will ask the question: overall, have drugs done more to help us or hurt us?

Sun Tzu's book Art of War, written 2,400 years ago, is the ultimate how-to for winning. Take a look at epic battles throughout history that prove an understanding of his strategy is the most dangerous weapon of all.

Sex reassignment surgery is now almost a commonplace procedure, but back in the early 20th century, it was seen as 'science fiction surgery'. When the news broke of a successful first attempt, it was a sensation. This is the gripping story of three extraordinary people: the world's first person to undergo a female to male transition; the former Spitfire pilot who became Britain's first to transition from male to female; and the daring advanced plastic surgeon who carried out these surgeries in the 1940s. Michael Dillon - previously named Laura - had persuaded the brilliant Sir Harold Gillies, the founding father of plastic surgery, to carry out the female-to-male operation that no surgeon in the world had ever attempted. Both then helped former race car driver and wartime pilot Robert Cowell undertake their own transition.

ENOLA GAY combines two compelling, topflight documentaries that tell the remarkable story of America's decision to forever alter the course of history. ENOLA GAY: RAIN OF RUIN puts you inside the cockpit of the historic B-29 Superfortress bomber whose devastating payload helped bring about the end of WWII. From the development of the atomic bomb to the horrific aftermath, highlights include dramatic footage taken by the crew members themselves.

The Army Ranger School video is a 1-hr documentary of Ranger School class 10-00, which follows that group from RAP through the graduation. Although it skips some days for the sake of brevity, the essence of the school is captured well (at least insofar as someone who hasn't done it can tell). It included interviews with many RIs and students throughout the course. It also has good footage of the Darby Queen, mountain phase, etc. Memorable moments in the documentary include a field expedient surgery to treat a Brown Recluse bite under one soldier's eye; a soldier falling asleep and prematurely triggering an ambush by squeezing the trigger in his sleep; several soldiers being kicked out for losing weapons; footage of soldiers being told they would be recycled in Florida; and plenty of shots of soldiers "droning."

Commandos have taken part in every war in American history, from the Revolution to today. But it wasn't until World War II that these unconventional units evolved into official, structured parts of the Army. And it was left to President Kennedy to grant them their trademark berets and legitimize the "special forces." Narrated by Stacy Keach, THE GREEN BERETS is a thrilling look at these fabled fighters. Explore what is known about their missions in Vietnam fighting behind enemy lines, the true story of their extensive "black ops" remain top secret. Military historians reveal how World War II units like the Rangers and "Merrill's Marauders" showed the need for a permanent, specialized force trained to operate with minimal supervision. See footage of the Berets in training and in action, and meet with some of the men who have served with this elite force. From Vietnam to Panama and the Gulf War, this is an up-close look at THE GREEN BERETS.

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong took Man's first steps on the moon. Roughly one billion awestruck people watched the lunar landing on television, but very few realized how close it came to disaster. "The History Channel Presents: The Race to the Moon" combines top programming from THE HISTORY CHANNEL to deliver the ultimate 35th anniversary celebration of the world-changing event. Experience the ultimate insider's view of the Apollo space program with the man who served as NASA's primary flight director for over 30 years and examine recently declassified documents revealing NASA's plans to send men to Saturn by 1970. Take a nostalgic trip back to the early days of the space program and return to the present-day triumphs and tragedies of one of our greatest technological achievements - the space shuttle.

John Hess traces the evolution of the screen shape from the silent film days through the widescreen explosion of the 50s, to the aspect ratio of modern digital cameras. This lesson is part of the FilmmakerIQ course: "Everything You Need To Know about Aspect Ratio".

World War II encompassed some of America's greatest triumphs and most bitter defeats. World War II: Ultimate Collections is a comprehensive and intimate survey of this epic war.THE HISTORY CHANNEL® has collected nearly 30 of its greatest World War II documentaries each packed with original archival footage interviews with military experts and historians and gripping reenactments on 10 DVDs.System Requirements:Run Time: 892 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 733961762808 Manufacturer No: AAE-76280

Iconic structures are apparent: the Empire State Building, St. Louis Arch, Space Needle, and Statue of Liberty. But their roots go back over 5,000 years to ancient Egypt. Entry to a glorious afterlife and worship of the gods led Egyptians to build some of the world's most impressive structures. We travel to Egypt to see how such monumental masterpieces as the Great Pyramid, Library at Alexander, Temple of Karnak, Sphinx, and the obelisks were built using only primitive tools and brute labor. Host Michael Guillen demonstrates how ancient Egyptians might have leveled 13 acres of ground to within two inches before building the pyramids. He offers an explanation as to how a 100-foot long obelisk made of a single slab of granite was raised. And he commissions an engineering study to determine what the Great Pyramid would cost to build today.

From Harpers Ferry, Fort Sumter, and First Bull Run to Shiloh, Antietam, and Gettysburg, THE HISTORY CHANNEL PRESENTS: THE CIVIL WAR captures the most legendary Civil War battles in brilliant detail. A sweeping selection of the soldiers and legendary leaders who fought these battles, including Sherman, McClellan, Grant, Beauregard, Lee, Davis, and Jackson, are also brought back to life in richly detailed profiles. Through interviews with scholars and historians, reenactments, and their own written words, the full military and political contexts of these men, their armies, and the clashes between them are thoroughly explored.