It’s the holy grail of physics–the search for ultimate law and order in the universe. And in the last few years, excitement has grown among scientists as they’ve pursued a revolutionary new approach to unifying nature’s forces. It’s called string theory and, to the uninitiated, it’s totally mind-boggling. But physicist Brian Greene has a rare gift for conveying physics in vivid everyday images, a gift that has turned his recent book The Elegant Universe into a mighty bestseller, and now Greene brings his talent and vitality to this documentary. Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to The Elegant Universe Web site; closed captions; and video descriptions. (3 hrs. on 2 discs)
Subjects: History
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Everest: The Death Zone
Get ready for a (literally) breathtaking trek up Mt. Everest, from Base Camp at 17,600 feet; through the chilling, corpse-strewn Death Zone; to the very pinnacle of the the Earth, five and a half miles above sea level. For those brave souls who survive the harrowing climb to the top of the world, it is a transformative experience. But can the excruciating ascent–through frigid cold, blasting wind, blinding sun, and severe lack of oxygen–cause permanent, damaging changes to the human brain and body? Special DVD features include: Access to the Everest: The Death Zone Web site; chapter search; English audiotrack; subtitles.
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Wright Brothers’ Flying Machine
The challenge of rebuilding the Wright Brothers’ Flying Machine. Discover how the Wright Brothers transformed themselves from bicycle mechanics to high-flying inventors who built a machine that changed the world during a mythical flight at Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903, and see how they contrived to refine their incredible aircraft. Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the NOVA Web site; closed captions; and video descriptions.
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Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama
A 30-year dream. A 50-mile shortcut. A timeless achievement. A 50-mile shortcut to the Pacific lying just north of the equator is one of the most extraordinary human achievements ever. The building of the Panama Canal was a massive feat of engineering and ingenuity that cost millions of dollars and thousands of lives. NOVA offers a unique opportunity to explore the mind-boggling undertaking through historic film footage, rare archival photographs and insightful narration from author David McCullough.
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Secrets of Lost Empires II: Medieval Siege
Discover how the fearsome, mechanized marvel known as the trebuchet catapulted warfare in different directions in Medieval Siege. Travel back to the Middle Ages and relive a fascinating turning point in warfare and medieval history.
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Saving the National Treasures – DVD
Every year, more than a million people visit the Rotunda at the National Archives in Washington to view the three most tangible symbols of democracy: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The parchments, faded from two centuries of wear, seem safe behind their green-tinted, bullet-proof glass. But the Archives’ curators, looking more closely, have detected flaking ink and other worrisome signs of decay. To head off the danger, the Archives has embarked on a five-year project to design and build new encasements for the charters — and a new Rotunda in which to view them. Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the NOVA Web site; closed captions; and video descriptions.
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Life and Death in the War Zone
NOVA follows the Army’s 10th Combat Support Hospital medical unit prior to (at their headquarters in Fort Carlson, Colorado), and following, the unit’s deployment to the Gulf region. Special DVD features include: a link to the NOVA web site; closed captions; and video descriptions.
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Battle of the X-Planes
Inside the high-tech, high-stakes competition to create America’s newest fighter plane. NOVA goes behind the doors of the world’s two largest aerospace companies to record classified meetings, climbs into cockpits to fly the most revolutionary planes, and examines the high-stakes battle waged between Boeing and Lockheed Martin to build the most capable and versatile fighter ever created–the Joint Strike Fighter. You’re on the front line as the two aerospace giants fight for a contract that will make aviation history and help protect America, and that could provide the winner total domination of the U.S. defense fighter industry. Special DVD features include: bonus video footage of Lockheed fighters; a visit to a “graveyard” for old military planes; materials and activities for educators; outfitting a fighter pilot activity; designing a stealth plane; link to the Battle of the X-Planes companion Web site; closed captions; and video descriptions.
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Fly Girls
At the height of World War II, more than a thousand women left their homes and jobs for the opportunity of a lifetime-to become the first female pilots to fly for the United States military. Eager to prove themselves, they faced danger and discrimination, and 38 gave their lives for their country. Led by America’s most accomplished aviatrix, Jacqueline Cochran, these pioneering women logged more than sixty million miles, ferrying planes throughout the United States, test-piloting experimental aircraft, and training men to fly. Still, the WASP fought a daily – and sometimes deadly – battle for respect.
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MacArthur
No soldier has ever captured the American imagination like Douglas MacArthur. He led Americans into combat for a half-century, through glorious victories and soul-numbing defeats. Courageous and supremely egotistical, he battled anyone who dared question his military judgment–even the President of the United States. 240 min on 2 DVDs.