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| Earth - The Biography | 
 enlarge | Actor: Dr. Iain Stewart
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
List Price: $29.98
Buy New: $8.10
You Save: $21.88 (73%)
Buy New/Used from $8.10
Avg. Customer Rating:  (17 reviews)
Sales Rank: 3823
Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 230 minutes
Number Of Items: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: WARDE39821D
UPC: 883929026067
EAN: 8839290260670
ASIN: B0018CWVWE
Release Date: July 22, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Description
This landmark series uses specialist imaging and compelling narrative to tell the life story of our planet, how it works, and what makes it so special. Examining the great forces that shape the Earth - volcanoes, the ocean, the atmosphere and ice - the programme explores their central roles in our planet's story. How do these forces affect the Earth's landscape, its climate, and its history? CGI gives the audience a ringside seat at these great events, while the final episode brings together all the themes of the series and argues that Earth is an exceptionally rare kind of planet - giving us a special responsibility to look after our unique world. This is a series that shows the Earth in new and surprising ways. Extensive use of satellite imagery reveals new views of our planet, while timelapse filmed over many months brings the planet to life. Offering a balance between dramatic visuals and illuminating facts, this ground-breaking series makes global science truly compelling.
Amazon.com
To demonstrate the stunning beauty and overwhelming power of the Earth, Dr. Iain Stewart climbs into the crater of an active volcano in Ethiopia, jets into the stratosphere, climbs the frozen crests of the Alps, races the tide at the Amazon basin, dives into underwater caverns in Mexico, and generally enjoys himself to no end. His infectious enthusiasm is hardly necessary, though; Earth: The Biography (formerly The Power of the Planet) is five episodes of phenomenal images and fascinating information about how our planet formed and the potent yet delicate balance of life. Stewart, the program's host, seems destined to become the Carl Sagan of geology; his cheerful Scottish accent (he sounds like he walked out of Trainspotting) is just waiting for a catchphrase like "billions and billions" to make him a household name. Earth: The Biography juxtaposes things gigantic (tectonic plates) and teeny-tiny (plankton) while gracefully explaining the crucial role each plays in making the world habitable for life as we know it. There's even surprising humor, like demonstrating the ocean's currents through the movement of 29,000 plastic ducks that were swept overboard in a storm, or how the first thing jet pilot Joe Kittinger does, after successfully parachuting from the highest point in the stratosphere anyone has ever jumped (including 15 minutes of free fall), is light up a cigarette. Add in some CGI models of prehistoric beasts and volcanic activity, and you've got a completely addictive examination of the Earth in all its majesty. --Bret Fetzer
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 highly watchable November 25, 2008
A wonderfull DVD, enjoyable , amazing subject matter. anyone who wondered about anything should watch this.
Great for teaching earth science November 24, 2008
This is a great supplement to teaching 6th grade Earth Science. The students are very interested in the information.
NOT AS GOOD AS PLANET EARTH September 9, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
With some exceptions this appears to utilize outtakes from PLANET EARTH. The theme is good, the evolution of the earth, but it is not as strong a presentation as the venerable LIFE ON EARTH or more recent PLANET EARTH. I am planning to give my copy to the local library or to my daughter's elementary school.
Understanding the Earth with science, not opinion September 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Dr. Stewart's latest contribution to science for the non-scientist continues his refreshing perspectives on the planet earth. If this video does not educate, enthrall, and entice you to learn more about our planet and its fragility, you must be one of those people who will not allow themselves to be confused with facts because your mind is already made up.
Once you get used to Dr. Stewart's Scots accent, his explanations of natural phenomena are remarkable for their clarity and simplicity. Even so, he does not condescend as he shares his wonderment at the most recent scientific discoveries that he presents in ways that compel the viewer to pay attention.
While some may contend that his topic includes "controversial" issues such as global warming, he never makes a statement without offering solid evidence. Indeed, his discussions are replete with references to the scientific recognition that they are theories that continue to evolve as evidence is accumulated. Thus, the only "controversy" would arise from the fact that the accumulating evidence tends to support scientific concerns.
For example, the evidence is uncontrovertible that Greenland's glaciers are melting at a rate never observed in modern times. Even so, Dr. Stewart includes the observation that scientists can only theorize about the consequences because they are unable to follow the melt water through the glacier and under the ice. Hence, scientists continue to explore and ask questions and postulate new theories ... because that is what good scientists do and that is what good science requires.
Anyone think that there is no problem if the frozen tundra warms up? Watch Dr. Stewart singe his eyebrows as he shows that the white stuff under the moss is methane by igniting it. So, how much methane would be released if (or when) the tundra warms up? And what will be the effect of this greenhouse gas? Watch the video.
Regardless of your political views on global conditions, this presentation offers the serious questioner the most recent research available. It could cause you to change your mind -- or, like a good scientist -- it could inspire you to find contrary evidence so that an informed dialogue will help us solve our planet's problems.
Last, but not least, so many interesting facts, theories, and supporting evidence are demonstrated that I was amazed at the organizational skills required to present so much information in only two DVD's. I include this video in my five-star list of videos that includes, among others, Blue Planet, Life on Earth, ... and Dr. Stewart's "Weather" -- which I also highly recommend.
Outstanding! September 4, 2008
I have studied these subjects for many years now and generally very a very critical eye. I find absolutely no fault with these programs. Full marks to Dr. Stewart for all of his efforts.
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