1st TAKE/2nd LOOK: #7
History - My 5th Element of Life may be the most important . . .
I’m stuck today. The war is so depressing, I cannot imagine waking up in hell day after day and realizing the world doesn’t really care. I know, we do and we are helping. But when one looks to history, we see that this set of circumstances have played out century over century. And it always goes on too long.
Is it just me or does all of the play-by-play seem like slow-motion theatre? The official briefings are mere recitations of Orwellian bureau-speak. So many words to say so little. Sounds like someone else I know. Never mind.
So I have been binging on documentaries lately. Here are a few of my recent favorites. These are non-sleep inducing. I tested them.
Birth Of Planet Earth
This is one of the best for getting a basic-in-depth sense of how the hell did this blue planet get to this point. Made in 2019, it’s a spell-binding combination of the endless fascination with space and the depthless contemplation of origin-story.
Did you know Jupiter was inside the orbit of Earth a few billion years ago? What did the Moon sacrifice to give Earth life? Watch this to find out. The graphics and CGI are really good.
The History of Africa
My absolute new favorite documentary-series with my absolute second favorite host - Zeinab Badawi (all-time favorite Huell Howser, but he’s dead so she first now). Ms. Badawi shares the same interviewer’s gift that goofy Howser had - sincere naivety. It is a charming characteristic that puts the subject at ease by instantly conferring expert status to them.
It also bring the viewer straight to the subject. Her fluency in Arabic allows her to converse with the people she meets, and she asks the most human questions: What do you eat? How is this made? What time do you get up?
A revealing interaction was when she interviewed a man and his two wives. The answer to the questions above and more were answered by only one wife - she does all the housework apparently. When asked why, the other wife finally spoke up, retorting “Because I’m the older!” and they all had a good laugh.
She explores the lost civilizations of Africa, always with grace, class, and a subtlety that highlights the cost in lives and future that imperialistic nations inflicted as they plundered her native land.
Her guests typically include the leading scholars of history in those countries she visits in addition to villagers and commoners. She elicits golden nuggets from unlikely sources that leaves one profoundly disgusted but searingly hopeful in humanity.
Empire Builders: China
Recent discoveries are placing modern human civilization in China between 8,000-10,000 years ago. This excellent three-episode series starts with Imperial China, delving into the history of Chinese dynasties that founded their society.
The Century of Humiliation describes and details, what else, Western Imperialistic exploitation and subjugation. Time and again, lives, treasures and the organic development of their own futures are destroyed by domination.
Mao and the Modern World starts with the 1911 birth of the republic and leads up to today’s geo-political atmosphere. The duplicity of the Japanese Occupation, the atrocities of civil war, and the current Belt and Road philosophy of Xi give the viewer a knowledgeable base to actually compose a thoughtful stance on China.
Monarchy With David Starkey
As a distinct non-fan of Royalty in general and British Royalty in particular, I questioned my desire to view all 14 episodes. David Starkey refuted all of those skepticisms. Why does having a British accent make a person so damn listenable!
Filling in most of the blank spots about the civilization that spawned America, and Americans, this series keeps things moving, but realize, I was on episode 9 or 10 before we got to the 1500s.
The British Crown has been continuously held for over 1500 years. America is still shitting our diaper! It’s weird how everyone hates on America because (rightly so) of our imperialistic domination of other lands and their people, in addition to our own.
But who did we learn this behavior from? Uh, the Brits! Delving down into the dirty laundry, the royal courts were filled with a Freudian collections of misfits. Homicide, infanticide, patricide, suicide, all ‘cides were on display.
Bonus Link: Castle Builders finally shows some nuts and bolts of the task. Ever since reading Pillars of the Earth (thanks JHT) I’ve been fascinated by these men that built the most technically advanced structures of their time. How did this happen? Learn how here.
The Normans
The Battle of Hastings in 1066 changed the trajectory of history. Imposing themselves first in France, then England, and then the rest of the known world, these Viking raiders with Pagan ancestors immersed themselves into culture, language and tradition.
Some Fun Stuff
What's the tallest wave ever recorded on Earth?
Taller than the Empire State Building? Holy Shit! This article tells about a huge wave, 1719 feet, in 1958 Alaska. Then it describes the tallest-ever surfed wave: 101.4 foot-high. Holy Holy Shit!
Reading about surfing this wave makes me seriously question my fake profession of Big-Wave Surfer. Architect anyone?
Napoleon abdicates the throne and is exiled to Elba
Speaking of France, my This Day in History provided the perfect closing thought. I discovered my Grand Uncle Theophile J. Waelbrock’s, whom I write about in this post, middle name. Actually, middle NAMES. J is for Joseph, after Grandpa Joe. Makes sense.
On a family tree shared with me recently, his other middle name is Napoleon. That is so awesome! He got the name; I got the complex.
thanks for being here,
Ric
There are several older neighborhoods by me. When I ride my bike through them I often wonder what the backstory is on each house. Some scream “starter home” and “new life together,” and some scream “old money and scandal.” It’s fun to do!
I'm a history buff too! Will check out these recommendations. And in case you haven't already heard him, please listen to Dan Carlin's Hardcore History! Another podcast I enjoy is called the Fall of Civilizations.