Product Details

• Actors: n, a
• Directors: n, a
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: PBS
• DVD Release Date: August 12, 2008
• Run Time: 180 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001CR499I
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,278 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Studio: Pbs Release Date: 04/16/2009

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must see for any history buff, June 22, 2009

By 

Sick Minute "Sick Minute" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The War of the World: A New History of the 20th Century (DVD)

This documentary looks at the violence of the 20th Century in new light. Harvard historian Niall Ferguson takes a comprehensive look at the totality of conflict from the turn of the century, up through to the end of the Cold War and turns some of the conventional wisdom on its head. Great powers did not just wage war in the two World Wars, but engaged in various hostilities throughout the century, which in hindsight, looks more like a global 100-years war. Economic volatility, ethnic disintegration, and empires in decline were the root causes of these many pitiful wars that persisted in what was otherwise a century of unprecedented human progress. Moreover, the disruptions to the distribution of global power favored the rise of the East, more so than the West, in what turned out to be a 'tainted victory' for the allies at the end of WWII. The "Third World's War" was the ultimate result, as dueling superpowers waged war by proxy in undeveloped nations. These key points make this truly one of the most compelling documentaries ever presented, covering the two World Wars and the events that link them -- definitely a must see for anyone seriously interested in the history of warfare.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging history with a fresh set of eyes, September 12, 2008

By 

Peter Lorenzi (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The War of the World: A New History of the 20th Century (DVD)

Niall Ferguson provides a lively, visual and vivid account of the twentieth century, questioning some well-worn assumptions and offering examples of perhaps a slightly revisionist theory of war and progress in the twentieth century. This is a good classroom companion or alternative to a history textbook and Ferguson's style is warm and provocative without being pedantic or argumentative. Who says history has to be boring?

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Impressive Effort & An interesting Thesis about Racism!, January 19, 2010

By 

David D. Lawson "A Legend in his own mind" (The Peoples Republic of California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The War of the World: A New History of the 20th Century (DVD)

At the very first,I was most impressed by the Presenters efforts to cover what at 1st is ground that has been covered in great detail by other historians. (The Russo- Japanese War, The 1905 Russian Revolution, WWI, The Balkans problems,The Rise of Gangster States of Lenin, Stalin,Hitler, Imperial Japan & WWII)
But what really grabbed my attention and respect, was his coverage of what he called the "Third World" war. Which was fought by the competing Super Powers of the "Cold" War era in the 3rd world in a series of "Bush Wars". (Which were devastating to the locals) I was only disappointed that no mention of the Korean War was made. What I also really enjoyed was the section on the Fall of the Soviet Empire. I was however surprised on was not mentioned. Like how flat footed the West was by the sudden collaspe of that Empire. But that is only real issue that I take with him. All in all his film is a real "sleeper" but most worthy of your time or coin if this is in your area of interest.