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<blockquote data-quote="Matthew_" data-source="post: 5253284" data-attributes="member: 54195">Basically, no. Some of its tests are more valid than others, and there obviously is great enthusiasm for the subject matter, but the primary purpose of the show is to entertain, not to educate, and that frequently shows through. It may well be that the broad conclusions that they reach are accurate within certain parameters, but from what I have watched of it I was left with the impression that it is a show prone to oversimplification and sensationalism. That is not particularly surprising, as most television history follows that paradigm, for obvious reasons.As to its value to a &quot;historical campaign&quot;, a lot depends on what you want out of it, but on the whole you would be better served getting hold of a well regarded book on the subject you are interested in. Mind you, I said pretty much the same thing on Giant in the Playground, so my opinion is hardly going to be much different from what was said there, which I think you are somewhat mischaracterising. The fact that the fight reconstructions at the end of each show were often ridiculous is emblematic of the problems with using the show as a touchstone for historical credibility, not the main issue.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Matthew_, post: 5253284, member: 54195"] Basically, no. Some of its tests are more valid than others, and there obviously is great enthusiasm for the subject matter, but the primary purpose of the show is to entertain, not to educate, and that frequently shows through. It may well be that the broad conclusions that they reach are accurate within certain parameters, but from what I have watched of it I was left with the impression that it is a show prone to oversimplification and sensationalism. That is not particularly surprising, as most television history follows that paradigm, for obvious reasons. As to its value to a "historical campaign", a lot depends on what you want out of it, but on the whole you would be better served getting hold of a well regarded book on the subject you are interested in. Mind you, I said pretty much the same thing on [I]Giant in the Playground[/I], so my opinion is hardly going to be much different from what was said there, which I think you are somewhat mischaracterising. The fact that the fight reconstructions at the end of each show were often ridiculous is emblematic of the problems with using the show as a touchstone for historical credibility, not the main issue. [/QUOTE]

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