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The History Channel Presents The Best of Modern Marvels
Amazon Price: $89.99List Price: Usually ships in 24 hours By: A&E - Model: D103970D Amazon Marketplace: 29 new & used starting at $49.58 |
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2
Average rating: 4.5 of 5
Lots of death and destruction 4 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.
This is about 35 hours of documentaries from the History Channel's "Modern Marvels" series. Most of the disks have four 45-minute episodes made up of about a half dozen disasters per episode.
The first 4 or 5 disks are mostly death-and-destruction. The disasters range from drilling into a salt dome under a lake (oops!), 600 people dying in fire at the over-crowded Cocoanut Grove nightclub, airplane crashes, bridge collapses, building collapses, dam collapses, mine fires, tanker and paddlewheeler explosions, tower collapses, and...well, you get the idea.
Many of the disasters were a culmination of a series of little errors here and there that finally added up to the big problem, while some were (as one person explains) a "failure of Construction 101" in the case of a parking structure collapse.
Other episodes are more benign "Modern Marvels", such as rubber, distilleries, candy, monumental buildings and bridges, and high-tech sex, and toilet tech :-)
The minor negatives include the narrator's delivery which uses too many dramatic pauses so that you don't really...know when he has finished...speaking. Also, there is no episode guide booklet, and the individual DVD cases are a little vague as to the exact contents.
I bought this when it was on one of Amazon's recent great sales, and it worked out to less than three bucks per disk. At the regular going price, it is probably still a good value.
Editorial Review:
Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 09/23/2008
Modern Marvels - Walt Disney World (History Channel)
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23
Average rating: 4.5 of 5
Editorial Review:
Clandestine land grabs. A maze of hidden tunnels. High-ranking Army and Navy officers. Secret technology known only to a handful of carefully chosen insiders. Cloaked in secrecy for years the project began as one of the world's biggest most ambitious and little-known undertakings. Military research installation? No Walt Disney World. Orlando's Walt Disney World is not only the most visited theme park in the world it's also the most technologically advanced. From a network of underground tunnels connecting the various regions of the park to the space-age propulsion technology called linear synchronous motors Disney has been at the leading edge of theme park technology since it invented the theme park with the opening of Disneyland in 1954. Soaring castles sleek monorails life-like animatronics Modern Marvels: Walt Disney World takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour of the ingenious technology and incredible engineering feats that went into building the 27000 acre complex.DVD Features: Interactive Menus; Scene SelectionSystem Requirements:Running Time 100 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. UPC: 733961745665 Manufacturer No: AAE-74566
Modern Marvels - Engineering Disasters (History Channel)
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1
Average rating: 5.0 of 5
Editorial Review:
Error is inevitable in all human endeavors but when the undertakings are engineering feats of enormous proportions the smallest mistakes may have devastating consequences. From the Exxon Valdez disaster to a nuclear meltdown at a secret government facility to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina MODERN MARVELS chronicles over 40 of history s most devastating catastrophes and reveals the lessons learned from each one.In 18 thrilling episodes HISTORY® dramatizes the world s most notorious engineering failures using state-of-the-art special effects to investigate not only what went wrong but what can be learned from these spectacular disasters. The catastrophes recounted led to the creation of Superfund sites for the cleanup of toxic waste; improved safety standards for cars planes and ships; and new techniques for building roads bridges and buildings that will withstand nature s most destructive forces.Dark clouds with silver linings MODERN MARVELS: ENGINEERING DISASTERS presents the tragic yet invaluable handmaidens of technological progress.System Requirements:Running Time: 846 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/HISTORY Rating: NR UPC: 733961111064 Manufacturer No: AAAE111060
The History Channel Presents Modern Marvels - Architectural Wonders
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Editorial Review:
Often their greatness seems beyond the realm of human possibility. Yet these architectural marvels were erected and continue to stand today as symbols of enterprise and ingenuity.From ancient pyramids to the modern American skyscraper MODERN MARVELS®: ARCHITECTURAL WONDERS circles the globe to profile the world's most phenomenal architectural gems. Vivid location footage and striking digital reenactments bring these mind-boggling engineering feats to life while historians and architectural experts illuminate the construction form and function of each. Visit dozens of celebrated masterpieces including the Great Wall of China and Mount Rushmore and discover the thrilling histories that lurk behind the majestic facades.All 8 documentaries in this special MODERN MARVELS® anthology reveal the remarkable vision and drive that fuel humanity's most spectacular structures:THE EGYPTIAN PYRAMIDSTHE GREAT WALL OF CHINAMOUNT RUSHMOREHOOVER DAMTHE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGEST. LOUIS ARCHTHE EMPIRE STATE BUILDINGTHE EIFFEL TOWERRuntime: 400 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. UPC: 733961772081 Manufacturer No: AAE-77208
Modern Marvels - The Manhattan Project (History Channel)
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3
Average rating: 4.5 of 5
From Theory to Weapon.... 4 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.
History Channel's "The Manhattan Project" offers a concise, nicely balanced history of the making of the atomic bomb in just under 50 minutes. This 2004 episode of Modern Marvels manages to explain the physics and the technology behind the bomb in layman's terms, while crafting a suspenseful narrative around the costly ($30 billion in current dollars) military-civilian collaboration.
"Manhattan Project" begins with the state of atomic science as the Second World War got underway in 1939, and why the United States decided it should build a bomb before Nazi Germany could. At the center of the narrative are Army General Leslie Groves and scientist Robert Oppenheimer, a yin and yang combination who together solved the technical problems of building a bomb, then in record time put together the industrial resources to provide the necessary uranium and plutonium. "The Manhattan Project" concludes with the Trinity Test of July 1945 and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
The narrative benefits from interviews with some of the surviving personnel who worked on the project. These interviews put a human face on a massive industrial effort. Some prominent historians offer a larger perspective on the project. The narrative does not shy away from the moral implications of use. Some of the concluding comments suggest that warfare has been changed forever by the invention of a weapon that could annihilate millions in a major exchange.
This short feature on the Manhattan Project is highly recommended as a concise but reasonably comprehensive survey at the popular history level of the making of the first atomic bomb.
Editorial Review:
At 5:30 a.m., July 16, 1945, scientists and dignitaries awaited the detonation of the first atomic bomb in a desolate area of the New Mexico desert aptly known as Jornada del Muerto--Journey of Death. Dubbed the Manhattan Project, the top-secret undertaking was tackled with unprecedented speed and expense--almost $30-billion in today's dollars. Los Alamos scientists and engineers relate their trials, triumphs, and dark doubts about building the ultimate weapon of war in the interest of peace.
The History Channel Presents Modern Marvels - Technology
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Editorial Review:
Celebrating imagination and invention brought to life on a grand scale MODERN MARVELS: TECHNOLOGY illuminates the fascinating stories of the doers and dreamers who created everyday items pioneered technological breakthroughs and produced the most renowned man-made wonders.MODERN MARVELS goes beyond the nuts and bolts and into the hearts of these innovations and the minds of the geniuses behind them. From the history of the sugar industry to the longest bridge in the world and from the world's first atom bomb to the most massive of all motor vehicles the series elucidates the ingenuity that gave way to the revelatory inventions and engineering feats that are a part of modern-day life.The bursts of inspiration resourcefulness and innovation along with the skill and determination that made these bold ideas a reality are all chronicled in this collection of eight programs:MONSTER TRUCKSJAMES BOND GADGETSTHE MANHATTAN PROJECTMORE ENGINEERING DISASTERSTHE WORLD'S LONGEST BRIDGEWALT DISNEY WORLDCANDYSUGARRuntime: 450 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. UPC: 733961772074 Manufacturer No: AAE-77207
Modern Marvels - Baseball Parks (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)
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Features:
- Officially Licensed
- Highest Quality Recording
Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1
Average rating: 3.0 of 5
Not bad, just not so satisfying 3 out of 5 stars.
13 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Since it is in the series of Modern Marvels, I expect, at the beginning, to see the technology building the ball parks. It is, however, not what contents in this film. The main theme is the evolution of the ball parks from 19th century to the present. Of course, it is good to know why a ball park shapes like that, why is it situated at the outskirt of the city, and why it moves back to the heart of the city. Through the film, I just feel it misses something, perhaps many. For example, memorable moments, HOFers or teams with that park are worthy of mentioning.
Like many DVD's of the THC, I always feel the running time is too short and I just grab the surface. This film is no exception. Every time when I begin to feel interested in what they mention, it just finishes and jumps to another. I'd like to see this topic addressed again in another DVD.
Editorial Review:
Step up to the plate and play ball as we take you on a tour of those amazing edifices of the national pastime--baseball stadiums! From the sandlots and wooden ballparks of the 1800 and 1900s to the monolithic multipurpose stadiums of today, baseball parks have grown into technological wonders that pull in and cost millions.
Modern Marvels - The Creation of the Computer (History Channel)
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6
Average rating: 4.0 of 5
Interesting but DATED 3 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
This video was somewhat interesting. However, be warned that it is actually from 1995, not from 2005. It is extremely dated and goes over many things that would seem silly to most viewers today, such as the difference between hardware and software. Many close-ups of aged hardware (i.e., early 1990s) take away from the more interesting, earlier events -- although the historical development of computing is covered well.
Editorial Review:
The machines at the center of the information age have revolutionized our lives and digitalized our world, making previously unthinkable tasks automatic and linking people from around the planet. MODERN MARVELS® presents a fascinating exploration into the history of the computer. See Charles Babbage's Victorian "counting machine," a mechanical computer that produced perfect results for any mathematical problem of six figures or less, and discover how IBM was launched through a punch-card counting machine built to accelerate the 1890 census. Trace the technological advancements that led to the first modern computers and witness the rapid progress that allowed them to shrink from room-sized monsters to the desktop units that revolutionized life in the '90s. THE CREATION OF THE COMPUTER journeys into the fast-paced world of technology and innovation to expose the phenomenal history of the most influential invention of modern times. DVD Features: Interactive Menus; Scene Selection
Modern Marvels - Computers (History Channel)
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4
Average rating: 5.0 of 5
Excellent history of computing 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.
The teachers at our school show this to their classes a lot. It presents the history of computing in a more lively way than a lecture or timeline.
The teachers practically fight over who gets to show it next!
Whole History of computers and more 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.
This Documentary explains the steps that were taken to get where we are today with computers. It takes you back to the very beginnings and explains what might be ahead as computers get smaller and faster. An amazing film which anyone who is interested should buy.
Excellent Documentary! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
I am majoring in Computer Maintenance and I loved this DVD. It is extremely informative and easy to understand. Not boring, either! Even my Mom loved it, who knows absolutely nothing about computers. This is a great DVD.
good overview of computers for students 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
This is a solid 45 minute video about computers that includes some basic concepts (hardware, software, binary), brief history of the development of computers, and discussion of future developments (smart homes, etc.). I also have the other History Channel DVD, "The Creation of the Computer." It has much more in-depth history, but was getting dated. I like that the newer compilation is more modern, but I miss some of the history. It's a good lesson for an introductory computer course in middle or high school.
Modern Marvels - More Engineering Disasters (History Channel)
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1
Average rating: 4.0 of 5
No captions or subtitles?? 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
This is an EXCELLENT series, but subtitles of my copy of "More Engineering Disasters" read "unavailable," and I can't find captions either. This is a major shame because the series is so good, and the captions in other episodes are exceptionally good.
"More Engineering Disasters" is a must-see, in my opinion. I found the mistakes, and the reasons for some of them, fascinating. For instance, the Andrea Doria sinking, which may have been prevented by a simple light bulb, and the use of the Chauchat in World War II.
I can't wait to see more "Modern Marvels!"
edit: A&E's website says this episode is NOT CC; I've already submitted the correction to Amazon.
Editorial Review:
Throughout history the same builders and engineers that paved man's path out of the caves and into the modern world also caused some of mankind's worst disasters. Often a huge calamity is traced back to a tiny cause, insignificant in itself, but triggering a domino effect. We'll revisit notable disasters and search for probable causes.