Customer Reviews

Connections 2

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Firstly, this is NOT Connections Vol. 2, it is CONNECTIONS 2 as in Connections Series 2. By saying it is "Vol. 2", people are likely to think it's merely one disc or volume in a series.

There were three series by James Burke in this vein. Connections (10 50 min. episodes), Connections 2 (20 30 min. episodes), and Connections 3 (10 45 min. episodes). Also, there was "The Day the Universe Changed" a series of 10 50 min. episodes.

This is actually a five-disc box set with the entire Connections 2 series. The episodes are as follows:

Connections 2 DVD - Disc. 1

Revolutions

Discover how the steam engine led to safety matches, imitation diamonds and the moon in a wild ride.

Sentimental Journeys

What has Freud got to do with maps? Or prison reform with blue dye? Or the inside of a star with the Himalayas? India reveals the answers.

Getting It Together

Start by examining a SWAT team, which leads to hot air ballooning, the root of many inventions.

Whodunit?

Who stole a set of billiard balls in 1902 and why was he the most famous crook in history? The clues: maps from 1775, Charles Darwin's cousin and the FBI.

Connections 2 DVD - Disc. 2

Something for Nothing

Something impossible happened 400 years ago. And we wound up in outer space, thanks (en route) to pigeon lovers, the Pope, and electric Italian frogs.

Echoes of the Past

On his way to finding the secret of the universe, Burke takes us to the Buddhist tea ceremony, ties it to international spies and Lincoln's assassination.

Photo Finish

The Le Mans 24-hour race is the backdrop for linking photography and bullets, relativity and blimps.

Separate Ways

Two trails split over slavery in the 18th Century. One route leads to the Wild West and Brooklyn Bridge, the other coining money and TV. Both end with a threat to peace.

Connections 2 DVD - Disc. 3

High Times

Unwrap a sandwich and you're on a path to World War II radar and Neo-Impressionist painters.

Deja Vu

History repeats itself, when you know how to look. Pizzaro beats the Incas, the first stock market opens. The Queen of England salutes a Mexican beetle and Hitler's plans misfire.

New Harmony

Microscopic bugs inspired the novel "Frankenstein" which aided the birth of Socialism.

Hot Pickle

The connections between a cup of tea, opium dens, the London Zoo and a switch that releases bombs.

Connections 2 DVD - Disc. 4

The Big Spin

The greatest medical accident in history starts a trail that leads to Helen of Troy, 17th Century flower-power, the invention of soda pop and earthquake detection.

Bright Ideas

A Baltimore man invented the bottle, which led to razors and clock springs, and the Hubble telescope.

Making Waves

Hairdressers, Gold Rush miners, Irish potato farmers and English parliamentarians are really tied together.

Routes

A sick lawyer in 18th Century France changes farming and triggers the French Revolution and new medical research.

Connections 2 DVD - Disc. 5

One Word

One medieval word kicks off the investigation into different cultures with the same stories that ends in cultural anthropology.

Sign Here

Dutch piracy starts international law and French probability math, phonetics and Victorian seances.

Better Than the Real Thing

How the zipper started with technology Jefferson picked up in Paris during a row about Creation.

Flexible Response

Robin Hood starts us on a trail from medieval showbiz to land drainage, to the invention of decimals that end up in U.S. currency, thanks to the guy who started the Erie Canal.

Having cleared that up, I wish to say that this is a great series and DVD set. Very eye-opening and educational.

It would make a great educational gift for children or a fun gift for adults. Anyone with an inquiring mind will be fascinated by James Burke's wit and intelligence, not to mention his charismatic delivery.

Whether the second series of Connections is better or worse that the original is a matter of some arguement, but that they are both great is not. Why? Because for once someone was able to communicate history in an exciting and faciating form, showing that every person, event, or invention relates in some way to every other. Imagine a "six degrees of separation" through history, mix in a strong sense of how to tell the _story_ of history, add in a wicked sense of humor and wit, and you might have some idea of the brilliance of this show.

Until amazon gets it listed, you can also buy the first series directly from Abrose Video (ambrosevideo.com), but they are all worth owning.

As a series Connections 2 is Amazing, and if I were only reviewing the program I would give it five stars. However after I bought this DVD I noticed some of the scenes were missing, and after a little research I found out that the source used in the making of this DVD set was the syndicated version of the program. I also own this program on VHS which had the original version so that's how I was able to notice the difference. It might seem like a nit pick, but the bits that are missing I thought added to the personality of the program. I would still recommend this DVD set as it is still really good, but I'm hoping for a "special edition" or something to be released with the whole program intact.

I can only assume this is James Burke's great series?? Shouldn't Amazon review what this product is exactly?? If its Burke's fine series then its a 5.. I'd love to buy this if someone told me exactly what was included, Wake up Amazon!!!

James Burke is the "Master of History!" His wit and wisdom describe mankind's inventions and discoveries in such a way as to keep even the history hater glued to the set!

I never knew there were so many connections between people, events, discoveries, and inventions until I saw this. Everyone can learn from the "MASTER!"

First off, I like to say the first time saw the Connections series I was hooked. When Connections 2 & 3 came out I had to watch them as well as the series The Day the Universe Changed. James Burke really knows how to make history interesting. He made connections you wouldn't see or even think about. Wish he made more of this kind of stuff can't get enough if it.

OK, now a word of warning. These great series are now public domain; people are starting to put together copies of their own disks and selling them. These copies may not be of good quality and may even be duplicates of the disks made by Ambruse Video. If you see a new seller or just listed with a price less than $80 it is probably one of these copies and I don't recommend buying them.

I bought all Connections (yep, this one too) series... Of course, had no time to watch all discs in a timely manner. One of the disks (so far) freezes and would not play. I contacted AMBROSE VIDEO PUBLISHING and they say that since the set was not bought from them directly, most likely is a illegal copy so they will not replace it.

The DVD is most likely original (I can tell a DVD-R from an original) but it will not play.

On one hand, AMBROSE VIDEO PUBLISHING wants to increase the sales by using Amazon but on the other hand will offer NO support from purchase made outside their site (if even this is true).

Other customers complain also about this kind of problem. Frankly, until this DVD, it never occurred to me to find an original, brand new DVD that would not play.

I suggest avoiding their stuff...

$150 per a 5 DVD set is not cheap so if I pay them money, the least I expect is that the DVD would play.

The production value and overall quality of this version of Connections is inferior to the first series in my opinion. It also repeats information already covered in the first but in a less interesting way. There is also more commentary being interjected that the first series was better off without, although there was some in the last show of that series too.

Connections 2 is not a repeat of the original, although it does cover some of the same ground, taking some of the same items and connecting them in new ways to new final outcomes. Using some of the same points does mean that some information is repeated between the two seasons, but if you never saw the first season, you'd be just as fascinated. James Burke has a way of making boring science and history very interesting. He begins season one by placing an object on the table and saying, "You don't know what this is, but you want to," and instantly, you do. This way of drawing you in continues through the series. There aren't as many episodes as in season one and season three has even less. This is the only thing bad I say about this series, it's not long enough to tell all the fascinating stories that James has to tell.

This series is quite good, though the connections between the ideas and inventions didn't seem to be developed in as much depth and seemed more tenuous than in the previous two series. This may be a function of the format--22 short episodes instead of fewer, longer shows. That said, the shows are still fascinating to watch.