Connections

For all of us fans of high quality, educational TV, the late 70s brought us 2 of the absolute best documentary series of all times: Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" and James Burke's "Connections".

To call "Connections" enjoyable would be a huge understatement. It's just a fantastic mind-opener: it will change your view of your own world and of the way progress happens, all the while making you laugh. Burke's skill in presenting these subjects is unparalleled.

I watched this series back in the 80s, and watching it again today you realize that it could not be more relevant today. Burke's observations are as valid and compelling now as they were more than 3 decades ago, with the addition that now you can also appreciate his foresight.

It's not often that you can say that 10 hours spent in front of a TV screen were an excellent investment. This is one of those cases.

In this amazing series, James Burke, discusses the amazing world of scientific inventions and discoveries and how they all relate to one another. It explores the historical and cultural implications on the things that we take for granted today. It might be old, but all of it is still relevant and damn interesting. James Burke is an excellent narrator and grips your attention throughout the series with his amazing findings about the man made world and how and why are things the way they are. I was always intrigued by the things all around us, and how we got from hunter gatherers to a space faring civilisation. This series beautifully answers that question while presenting you with extraordinary complex world which stan on seemingly simple incremental changes that got us where we are today.

I am a curious character who just loves how things and world and people came to be the way we are today.... I just want things to make sense and go behind the scenes to find out about things.. If you like that, and if you are a history fanatic, this is the BEST documentary, with that so delicious British tongue-in-cheek humor that is served so well by Burke. Comedy and (real) History and Technology and Detective story (connecting seemingly so unconnected things) .. I love all four genre... But to find all of them, in ONE movie, all rolled together... and also done so... so well.... how can heaver be far away? p.s. is there ANY way I can get a copy of this rented or even purchased? Please please email me if you know...

I've watched every episode of the original series so many times I've worn out the tapes. I don't care. I still watch them and learn more every time. I love history and James Burke makes it even more fun and interesting to me. I am particularly enamored of the sequences that deal with military history and the advancements of weaponry. 'The Long Chain' and 'Thunder in the Skies' ranks as superb in my book I wish I knew more people that love this series as I do, to chat with them about it. The other series that ranks as a winner is 'The Day the Universe Changed' which carries on in the same genre but deals with social concepts and their origins. Watch them all, and have fun learning.

The Connections series I, II and III are the most delightful and accessible approach to the history of the world and its' sciences since the Cosmos series. Compelling and Addictive... something on television that's truly worth watching. Companion books to the series are also available. The Connections series' blend of humor and Zen are incredibly entertaining--- Call it Life As We Know It 101.

Also recommended: The Day The Universe Changed series.