The British

As entertainment the series are okay. Well known actors, football players, newsmen and others all able to read the script rather well.

But as a documentary is it appalling.. it's subjective, self-tasting and romantic.

As a historical document it is worthless, and as propagandistic patriotic romance it is too obvious to be powerful.

It neglects facts, it seems the purpose is to show the Brits were first and best with everything.

As an example, whereas facts tell us that Gutenberg was the man behind the spreading of the 'idea of printing' all across Europe, it is said here that William Caxton did so..

He DID bring the first press to England more than 3 decades after Gutenberg's Bible had been printed. To compare printing to be AS important as the internet is alright and true, but then to take credit for spreading the printed word, reminds me of Al Gore claiming he "invented" the internet.

The reenactment scenes and 3D effects in the virtual illustrations are immaculate, and all that brings a positive note to this disaster of a show.

Several times the pundits claim, "Britain was the original nation of entrepreneurs, the original nation of inventors" which obviously are not true and very self-tasting.

verdict: obnoxious

I sat through the entire series because I'm British and am interested in learning about the history of my country, and I want to keep an open mind and see it from as many different viewpoints as possible. That said, this series left me wondering who had commissioned it, and with what nefarious objective in mind.

It is well produced, in a technical and visual sense, and the narrator is excellent, but the series has clearly been sensationalised and dumbed down for today's supposedly attention-lacking audience, and interspersed with inane pro-British commentary from a ridiculous choice of wholly irrelevant celebrities.

It is also very selective in choosing to show only a few snippets of the history of Britain over the last 2000 years.

These points I could have forgiven though, if it weren't for the overall feeling of propaganda that the series is imbued with. From the start to the end, it feels like a Hitler Youth type propaganda message about how marvellous and superior the British are, and always have been.

In summary, this series is factually incomplete, ideologically distasteful and overwhelmingly disappointing.

Its a starter , nothing more, is it The History of The British ? No, is it a a gateway into the History of This Great Land, good and bad ? Yes. Use it. I have just watched the episode about the Black Death, I live near Tichfield, the village mentioned in the series, I watched it. Went on line, and am now reading an in depth account of the period written by The Bishop of Winchester.

Its a TV programme for the modern viewer, not The World at War.

Overall I have only seen a few episodes but I think it's a rather good show. It will be impossible to fit 2000 years of history in just one TV series with any great depth, so the show does skip a fair bit and can be vague on certain subjects, which if you're a die-hard historian will absolutely loathe. One must understand the audience this show is intended to however (hint: it's not aimed at historians), and in that regard this show does surprisingly well.

This show can be seen as an excellent way to introduce 2000 years of British history to people who perhaps otherwise wouldn't have known this type of information or people who may not be historically interested to begin with. For kids it's brilliant as it keeps them engaged with the guests, the acting and the well made visuals depicting particular moments in time. I believe kids will definitely enjoy this show. The series can then potentially act as a platform for viewers to do further research on their own accord if they so choose.

From that point of view this show serves it's purpose very well in my opinion and it's a great show that can help generate further interest in and awareness of general history.

Also, to the person who gave this show only 1 star. Unfortunately the Romans, as a general concensus, were not black. That doesn't make any sense to be honest, considering how modern day Syrians are notoriously "whiter" than other arabic nations and that is due to the fact they can genetically trace elements of their ancestry to the Romans from the Roman period. It is this very roman ancestry / genetics that give some Syrians green eyes and lighter skin. If the Romans were truly as black as you are suggesting then why doesn't this show on Syrians despite the genetic / DNA matching evidence that suggests otherwise?

I am only half way through watching the first episode of the Hollywood/Disney-fied version of British History and find it appalling and disgusting. Have they had a 'Single' Historian on the programme? NO! Have they had loads of actors and actresses who are 'known' in USA on - YES. Do these people KNOW anything of British History HFNO!

Not a single person on the programme has read Tacitus or reviewed the historical archaeological evidence? NO

Showing WHITE 'North' European looking Romans invading Britain in 56AD... The romans and all people's of the Med. Sea region of that era were black as the ace of spades! IF they had read Tacitus and the records of the Roman Empire, they would know the reason for the invasion was the 'Angelic' look of the peoples, strong - sturdy - white or red hair, with Pale complexions, that fetched the highest price on in the Roman Slave Auctions!! The invasion was about MONEY! Not about land, Southern France and Egypt were the bread baskets... the 'midge' infested North! Why do people of Italy have blue eye's today, the slaves that were paid in tribute 'post-Budica'! I could tell it was tripe when they said it was 10,000 Romans who invaded Britain, it was 5 legions of 25,000 (per legion) just to 'impose' their military might and take slaves from the southern half of Britain. This programme is total fantasy and it should either never have been made or the producers should have consulted REAL HISTORIANS. I shall NOT be watching the rest of this Tripe as it can only get worse and there is far too much of 'bash the British' attitude in a few nations of the world.