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A&E Classroom Program List
August 2002 through January 2003

All programs air: Monday-Friday 7-8 a.m. ET & PT; 6-7 a.m. CT

In Canada:
8:30 a.m. NT; 8 a.m. AT; 7 a.m. ET; 6 a.m. CT; 5 a.m. MT; 4 a.m. PT


A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

America's Castles: Mexico's White House
America's Castles heads south for an hour-long look at one of the most interesting buildings in the Western Hemisphere. Once the home of Mexico's rulers, Chapultepec Castle is a unique blend of Mexican and European influences that embodies the history of the nation. 10/18

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B

Behind Closed Doors

American Red Cross
In this episode of Behind Closed Doors, Joan goes behind the scenes of the American Red Cross as they respond to the terror attacks of September 11th. From the thousands of volunteers, to the nationwide blood donations, the relief efforts of the Red Cross were the largest ever launched on American soil.10/25
U2 Spy Plane/Cirque du Soliel
Two high-flying adventures await our host, Joan Lunden, as she learns all of the procedures involved with piloting a U-2 reconnaissance plane and then practices aerial training with the Cirque du Soleil troupe. 1/31
U.S. Treasury/Smithsonian Museum
This program explores the U.S. Mint, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the Federal Reserve to see how money is made and distributed. Students will also visit the Smithsonian Institution's private warehouses that store 99% of its collection. 10/24

BIOGRAPHY®

The Adventures of Daniel Boone
An expert long hunter brimming with wanderlust, he blazed a trail west opening up new lands to settlers. His story has been told and retold so often that fact and fiction have merged to form the legend of Daniel Boone. 12/18
Anne Rice: Vampires, Witches, and Best Sellers
Her lush writing and imaginative stories have breathed new life into gothic fiction. But her talents go far beyond The Vampire Chronicles. The mistress of dark fiction shares her secrets in this captivating portrait. 10/21
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Audie Murphy: Great American Hero
Born the son of a poor farmer in Texas, Audie Murphy went on to be a decorated hero of World War II, a major motion picture star in over 40 pictures, and a best-selling writer. But before he died young in a plane crash, he had already succumbed to battle fatigue, drug addiction, and gambling. 11/4
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Benjamin Franklin: Citizen of the World
Widely known as the flyer of kites, a tinkerer and author of folksy witticism, Benjamin Franklin was also a man of science, steadfast politician and diplomat. Learn how this quiet man rose to become who many call the first citizen of the 18th Century. 10/10
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Bill Gates: Sultan of Software
He is the richest man in the world, an Andrew Carnegie for the end of the twentieth century. Bill Gates started Microsoft when he was just nineteen years old. The slight, baby-faced teenager possessed the shrewdness, talent and drive to make his company the mainstay of the software business and his name a household word. Today, Bill Gates's Microsoft is the giant of software and together they face some of the most turbulent legal disputes of his empire's history. 1/17
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Carmen Miranda: The South American Way
Men adored her, women emulated her, and corporate executives and government officials capitalized on her international appeal. Carmen Miranda: The South American Way is the story of a true original who overcame cultural barriers to secure a place as one of Hollywood's most beloved performers and Brazil's most treasured possessions. 10/3
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Che Guevara: Restless Revolutionary
This Documentary explores the life of one of the most prominent revolutionaries of the 20th Century. Che Guevara was a pivotal figure in the creation of Castro's Cuba, and his death at the hands of Bolivian security forces in 1967 made him a Martyr. 9/30
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Davy Crockett: American Frontier Legend
This BIOGRAPHY® examines the life and the legend of Davy Crockett. It chronicles Crockett's life from backwoods hunter to Congressman to Alamo hero to American folk hero. 12/16
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Dick Cheney: Quiet Authority
Follow his path to the White House from special assistant to Donald Rumsfeld to vice president in one of the most tumultuous times in our history. 9/4
Dwight D. Eisenhower: Commander in Chief
Friends, family and colleagues shed light on one of America's greatest heroes. From his childhood in Kansas to his long tenure as America's elder statesman, this BIOGRAPHY® is a compelling look at the life of Dwight D. Eisenhower. 11/6
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Ernest Hemingway: Wrestling with Life, 2 Parts
Marked by literary triumphs, adventure, lost loves, and depression, Ernest Hemingway's life was as diverse as his novels. 10/30, 10/31
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Eureka! The 20th Century's 15 Greatest Inventors
As part of the yearlong celebration of BIOGRAPHY®'s 15th anniversary, BIOGRAPHY® presents the top 15 history-makers of discovery, design, and creation - those inventors who have changed our everyday lives. 10/7, 11/29 & 1/3
Evita: The Woman Behind the Myth
She is considered one of the most beloved and hated women in history: Eva Peron, the legendary First Lady of Argentina. 10/2
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F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great American Dreamer
His flamboyant lifestyle epitomized the glittering excess of the Roaring Twenties while his classic stories made him one of the most important American authors of the century. Explore the bittersweet life of F. Scott Fitzgerald, the man who gave the Jazz Age its name. 11/1
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Fidel Castro: El Commandante
He stood defiantly at the center of the Cold War, and after nearly forty years of rule, he remains one of the most controversial political figures of the twentieth century. 10/1
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George Armstrong Custer: America's Cavalier, 2 Parts
Earning a place in history for his ill-fated command at the battle of the Little Big Horn, George Custer came to fame as the youngest general in the Union Army. Period accounts and artifacts help bring the historic "Last stand" to life. This is a sober exploration of a man who continues to be one of the nation's most controversial and mythic figures. 11/20, 11/21
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G. W. Bush: The Son Also Rises
He's the current president of the United States, but how much do you really know about this former Texas governor and son of a former president? Learn about his early years, his career in the oil and gas business, and his rise in government. 9/3
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H. Norman Schwarzkopf: A Soldier's Story
He earned a reputation in the U.S. Army as a compassionate yet stern commander with an explosive temper and an intolerance for incompetence. This documentary is the story of one of the most celebrated figures of our time who led coalition forces to one of the most decisive victories in history. 11/8
Harry S. Truman
He was a Midwest farm boy who never graduated from college and a failed businessman who turned to politics because he needed a job. In this BIOGRAPHY® we will see how a seemingly ordinary guy helped bring World War II to a close and won one of the greatest political upsets of all time. 12/3
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Henry Ford
A tinkerer who grew into an inspired mechanic, Ford developed the cheapest, most reliable car on the face of the earth with an efficiency nobody thought possible. 10/9
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Hirohito
This BIOGRAPHY® examines the life and times of the late emperor of Japan and his efforts to bring democracy to one of the world's oldest cultures. 12/2
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J. K. Rowling
This BIOGRAPHY® special, a companion to the Harry Potter books one through four, offers students unique insight into the thoughts and ambitions of author J.K. Rowling. The program examines the books' universal themes and the reasons behind the Harry Potter phenomenon. Students may even discover a few clues about what is to come in books five through seven! 8/12
John Glenn: The All-American Hero
John Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth. He went on to a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Senate. His return to space at the age of 77 is among the most remarkable achievements in the history of NASA. He was the all-American boy who grew up to be an all-American hero. At an age when most people are slowing down, he continued to make history. 11/7
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Joe Montana
This documentary explores the successful career of one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play football. From his four world championships to his modest life off the field, BIOGRAPHY® tells the story of a true competitor who still has a lot of "little boy" in his heart. 8/28
Joe Namath
An upstart, shaggy-haired rebel dubbed Broadway Joe, Joe Namath challenged nearly every accepted convention regarding how an athlete should conduct himself. Leading championship teams with the University of Alabama and the New York Jets, Namath proved his doubters wrong, and, despite his success, never forgot about the small town in Western Pennsylvania that he called home. 8/27
Leonardo da Vinci
His countless accomplishments include pioneering work in the field of human anatomy, inventing the helicopter and creation of the world's most famous painting, the Mona Lisa. Many call him the greatest creative mind of all time. 10/11
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Lewis and Clark: Explorers of the New Frontier
Journey back in time to follow the historic trek of Merriweather Lewis and William Clark. Archival photos, period accounts, and extensive use of their journals brings the trials and triumphs of their long trip to life. 12/17
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The Lost Generation, 2 Parts
This two-hour documentary follows the journeys of F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Dos Passos, Archibald MacLeish, Ezra Pound, Gertrude Stein, and Ernest Hemingway on their quest to create the literature of the America they left behind. 10/28, 10/29
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Michelangelo: Artist and Man
Perceived as tortured and lonely, Michelangelo was a solitary genius who suffered personal and financial agonies in creating his art. A look into the soul of the artist whose talents were so remarkable that he was called Divine. 1/6
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Osama bin Laden: In the Name of Allah
For years, Osama bin Laden was a shadowy figure to most of the world. But the tragic events of September 11, 2001 thrust him into the spotlight as the most wanted fugitive on earth. Through careful analysis and extensive interviews, BIOGRAPHY® tells the story of bin Laden's life, investigating his development into the leader of a global terror network. 9/6
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Pablo Picasso: A Primitive Soul, 2 Parts
Pablo Picasso tore apart convention time and again, using everything and everyone around him to fuel his work. Thorough interviews with his children, a former lover, and some old friends, we take you on a journey from mayhem to masterpiece. 10/14, 10/15
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Pancho Villa: Outlaw Hero
Shrouded in myth and folklore, Pancho Villa's life is legendary, making it difficult to know what is true and what is romantic lore. This is a profile of the controversial Mexican revolutionary who was the only foreign military leader to attack American soil since 1812. 10/16
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Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Follow this portrait of the former Canadian prime minister whose fun-loving lifestyle and serious political work turned him into a renowned international figure. This is a look at his life from back in the days of "Trudeaumania," before his resignation in 1984. 11/15
Ponce de León: The First Conquistador
A solider, adventurer and explorer, he was one of the first of an uncompromising and ruthless breed of men who would carve out an empire in the New World. 10/17
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Rudy Giuliani: America's Mayor
During this one-hour program, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, "The World's Mayor," speaks candidly about the events of September 11, 2001, and the aftermath; how his own battle with prostate cancer helped him deal with the World Trade Center victims' families; and his passion for photography. 9/5
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Sergeant York: The Reluctant Hero
Born in rural Tennessee just 20 years after the Civil War, Alvin C. York, one of 13 children, was able to remain in school through the third grade. After a young adulthood full of drinking, card playing, and roughhousing, York was drafted to fight in World War I at the age of 30. Serving in the Argonne Forest, York proved his bravery repeatedly and was honored as a war hero upon his homecoming. 11/5
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Sitting Bull and the Great Sioux Nation
This program explores the visionary leadership of a great, battle-worn chief and the bloody struggle for the survival and prosperity of his people. 11/19
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Sir Ernest Shackleton
BIOGRAPHY® takes a look at Sir Ernest Shackleton, the explorer whose expeditions to Antarctica and the South Pole gained him much fame. Best known for the failed "Endurance" expedition, Shackleton has become an almost mythical character and is much celebrated for the leadership qualities he showed. 12/13
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Sir Isaac Newton: The Gravity of Genius
Leading scientists trace the extent and impact of the Father of Modern Science's discoveries, and reveal the self doubt that led him to hold back on publishing many of his findings. 1/15
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Stephen King: Fear, Fame, and Fortune
He was a schoolteacher who penned stories in his spare time. From Maine to Hollywood, follow the unlikely tale of this teacher-turned-famous horror writer and hear from the stars who have brought his chilling tales to life. 10/22
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Thomas A. Edison
This documentary is a nostalgic compendium of images and sounds from the man responsible for the electric light, motion pictures and recorded sound. 10/8
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Vince Lombardi
Blessed with superb ability and known for both his tenderness and tyranny, Vincent Thomas Lombardi led a life marked by a singleness of purpose so great that anything not in the service of the goal was cast aside. Starting his education at institutions that prize rectitude and orthodoxy-Jesuit School and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point-he learned the twin principles of logic and discipline that colored his life. 8/26
Werner von Braun: From the Nazis to NASA
This documentary tells the story of modern rocketry and the creative genius who helped to make it a reality. Narrated by William Shatner. 1/16
BIOGRAPHY® 15 Countdown: Commanders in Chief
As part of the yearlong celebration of BIOGRAPHY®'s 15th anniversary, A&E Classroom presents their choices for the 15 best and worst Presidents. 1/20
BIOGRAPHY® Close Up: After the Game
For many athletes it is difficult to leave the game. How do they face life with no cheering fans and a fading spotlight? How do they cope with the fact that they can no longer play the game? This episode features Wayne Gretzky, Bo Jackson, and Zina Garrison. 8/2
BIOGRAPHY® for Kids: Pocahontas: Ambassador to the New World
As a daughter of a Virginia chieftain, the story of her intercession on the behalf of John Smith, is a legend. Her later marriage to an English widower came to symbolize the potential for peaceful coexistence between Native Americans and European settlers. 11/18
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BIOGRAPHY® of the Millennium (4 Parts)
They are our greatest scientists and artists, our most admired thinkers and dreamers. From revolutionaries to saints, explorers to philosophers, this epic series counts down the 100 most influential people of the past 1000 years. 12/30, 12/31, 1/1, 1/2
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C

Cosmos: Solar Sail (2 Parts)
Cosmos Studios, in partnership with The Planetary Society, Russia's Babakin Space Center, and A&E, will launch a suborbital test vehicle from an intercontinental ballistic missile on a nuclear submarine in the frigid Barents Sea. Once the test is complete they will launch COSMOS 1, the first solar-sail space vehicle in history. 8/22, 8/23 & 1/13, 1/14

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The Crossing (2 Parts)
Relive with A&E the daring raid that turned the tide of the American Revolution. The night is December 17, 1776. Under the brilliant command of General George Washington, a motley band of militiamen-their morale exhausted and their ranks crumbling-slip silently across the Delaware River to launch the death-defying midnight attack that will become the Redcoats' first defeat and an immortal moment in the fight for American independence. 1/21, 1/22

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G

Gorillas: Primal Contact (2 Parts)
This original program takes an insightful look at the relationship between man and ape as well as the efforts of scientists to prevent extinction, particularly in the African country of Rwanda. 1/23, 1/24

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The Grand Tour: The Canadian Rockies
With their unequaled locations, railroad hotels built by Cornelius Van Horn have become destinations for elite tourists from North America and Europe. 11/11

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H

The History of God (2 Parts)
Although it may be impossible to know who or what God is, we can discover how people and cultures throughout history have understood God. Have we seen God as the familiar "old man with a beard", compassionate or cruel, personal or remote, in nature or above nature? However we envision him, he remains a mystery beyond comprehension. 12/19, 12/20

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I

The Impressionists (4 Parts)
150 years ago, the art movement of Impressionism was considered ridiculous, scandalous, and often downright ugly. Yet today it is the most universally loved painting style. Discover the birth of Impressionism through its five most important practitioners, Claude Monet, August Renoir, Camille Pissarro, Edgar Degas, and Berthe Morisot, and discover how their instincts and vision changed painting forever. 1/7, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10

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Investigative Reports

AIDS in America: The Crisis Continues
Many Americans hold the misguided ideas that the AIDS crisis has largely passed, and that the disease is now manageable and that a cure will be found soon. However, almost one million Americans are now infected with HIV, and current drug therapies are now failing for many as evidence is mounting that the virus is making a comeback. 9/10
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Bioterrorism
This special look at bioterrorism has been updated to include the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the subsequent fear pervading American society. 12/6
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Campus Insecurity
Learn how universities underreport and cover up campus crime to protect their images. Meet a Lehigh University student raped after other rapes were hushed up, and a University of Minnesota student whose rape proved that the school protected athletes accused of sex crimes. The report also looks at an MIT fraternity brother's binge-drinking death. 8/19
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Classrooms in Crisis
In the next three to five years, fully half of the teachers hired today will quit the profession. And the overall number of understaffed schools and overcrowded classrooms continues to grow as teachers turn in their books in favor of careers in other fields. Here, many teachers, administrators, and parents reflect on what is happening in their schools, and how the classroom in crisis can be helped. 8/20 & 9/12
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Columbine: Investigating Why
To find out why Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed and in the hopes of preventing such a tragedy in the future, the Threat Assessment Group has come to Littleton to crawl inside the minds of the assailants. They'll look at the school environment, the town, the media and anything else that could have influenced these young men and pushed them toward becoming mass murderers. 9/9
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Earth in the Hot Seat
For years scientists have warned of the possibility that industrial pollution in the atmosphere would cause temperatures to rise worldwide, with potentially disastrous consequences. While many thought the problem would not be faced for generations, evidence makes it clear that this is not the case. 9/13
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Playing to Extremes
Go inside the hyper-competitive world of youth sports, where kids don't play but have "careers." More kids are playing and fewer are having fun. Find out why. 8/21
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Portrait of a Terrorist: Mohammad Atta
Mohamed Atta was the ringleader of the attacks on September 11th and almost certainly at the controls of the first plane as it struck the World Trade Center. But what changed Atta from being the quiet son of an Egyptian lawyer into the world's most notorious hijacker? 9/2
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The Supersized Generation: Kids and Obesity
The number of overweight American children has been growing steadily since 1963. This episode of Investigative Reports takes a look at the many factors contributing to this trend. 8/14
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Teen Gambling
The last decade has witnessed a sea change in the way America regards gambling. And the gambling frenzy has trickled down to our kids, with disturbing consequences. Teachers, parents, psychologists, and teen compulsive gamblers themselves shed light on this dangerous phenomenon. 8/13 & 12/4
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Teenage Suicide: The Silent Threat
An investigation into the growing tragedy of teen suicide, now the third largest killer of young people. Parents of teenage suicides share their painful stories, experts describe the causes, and A&E provides an 800 number that families can call to learn the danger signs and get help. 9/11
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Teenagers Under the Gun
In the wake of events like the school shootings in Littleton, Colorado, America can no longer afford to ignore the wave of violence committed by children. Go beyond the so-called experts to talk to those in the crosshairs of this crisis -teens themselves. In extraordinary, revealing interviews, they expose their most painful and personal selves as they explain what's driving teens to commit horrible acts of violence. 8/16
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Wide Open: Inside the World of High School Football, 2 Parts
Enter the 2001 high school football season of two teams, one from California and the other from Texas. You'll discover that while they come from different backgrounds, they play the same game and share the same dreams. 8/29, 8/30
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Young Guns
From shoot-'em-up video games and toy soldiers to deer hunting with Dad, America's obsession with guns permeates the lives of our children-sometimes with tragic results. Investigative Reports ventures into a notoriously violent neighborhood, where stray bullets find their way into playrooms and a walk to school can be deadly; visits the littlest gunshot victims as they fight for survival; and catches a new generation of marksmen experiencing the thrill of their first hunt. 8/15 & 12/5

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J

Jane Eyre (2 Parts)
Part 1 Part 2

Charlotte Bronte's story of a strong, passionate and principled young women survives a wretched childhood, becomes a governess, falls in love with her employer only to have her heart broken, but finds true happiness at the end. 9/26, 9/27

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L

The Lost World (4 Parts)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic science fiction adventure (the basis for Spielberg's Jurassic Park) is brought to life by the BBC combining live action with special effects from the producers of the Emmy-winning Walking With the Dinosaurs. 1/27, 1/28, 1/29, 1/30

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M

Mummies: Tales from the Egyptian Crypt (4 Parts)

Part 1
Mummies provides a window on the world of ancient Egypt, beginning about 2,600 years before the birth of Christ. The first part of the documentary focuses on mummies and pyramids, detailing the funerary rites and religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. 12/23
Part 2
Part 2 examines the history of the sphinx, the massive statue-- half man, half beast--that for more than 2,000 years has captivated travelers' imaginations and mystified scholars. While describing the ancients' beliefs about death and the afterlife, it discusses the symbolic function of statues, art, and other objects found within the tombs of the ancient Egyptians. 12/24
Part 3
Part 3 explores the world of the ancient Egyptians through the discovery of the Rosetta stone, the ancient tablet that unlocked the meaning of the hieroglyphs for modern scholars. It examines the function of this ancient script and recounts the ancients' beliefs about death, their concept of proper entombment, and the myth of the journey from death to the afterlife. 12/25
Part 4
Mummies concludes by focusing on a tour of several twentieth century excavation projects, examining some of the most elaborate and informative artifacts from the ancient world. It tracks the discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamen early this century and the more recent excavation of Ramses' burial site. 12/26

Mystery of Genius: Masters and Madmen (2 Parts)
This eclectic and fascinating look at the common threads of the uncommon mind ventures from MIT labs to stages where groundbreaking artists perform. Also examine the thin line separating brilliance from madness, and the sometimes-tragic consequences of crossing this barrier. 11/27, 11/28

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N

The New Explorers: The Science of Sports
The Science of Sports is a unique look at the meeting of two worlds. Go inside Colorado's Olympic Training Center to meet the athletes who are preparing for gold and the scientists and psychologists who are helping them. See the latest advances in training and techniques as Michael Jordan joins host Bill Kurtis. 8/9

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Niagara: A Short History of the Falls (2 Parts)
This feature-length documentary based on Pierre Berton's best-seller explores the intriguing history of Niagara Falls. From the days when only Native Americans inhabited the region, to the tourist industry of today, it is a celebration of the characters that have been drawn to this amazing place and left their mark. 11/12, 11/13

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O

Origin of the Vampire
An exploration of the myths and facts surrounding the age-old belief in vampires, and the surprising truth about real-life cases throughout history. 10/23

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P

The Planets (8 Parts)

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Different Worlds
This incredible story of our solar system, told in eight hours, shows the formation and evolution of the planets and our radically changing understanding of them. With interviews with leading astronomers, this episode witnesses the explosive birth of the solar system-from gigantic, gaseous Jupiter, to tiny, rocky Mercury. 9/16
Terra Firma
Terra Firma brings you on a quest to discover the true nature of our neighboring planets. Pierce the toxic clouds of Venus to observe ancient lava flows the size of our continents. Visit a Martian volcano taller than Mount Everest and head even farther out into the planetary system to search for clues to the "living" geological forces at work in the most unlikely cosmic corners. 9/17
Giants
They are the heavyweights of the planetary lineup. They are vast orbs of seething gas and brilliant cloud bands, containing virtually no landscapes. Giants takes the measure of these planetary behemoths. From the pioneering days of Galileo's dogma-shattering discovery of the Jupiter moons, to NASA's billion-mile sojourns at Saturn and Neptune, the conclusion is timeless. 9/18
Moon
While moons of all sizes and compositions accompany a number of the planets, Earth boasts a comparatively huge "companion world" that has inspired us for thousands of years. What forces could have resulted in this planetary odd couple? Moon searches for the answer to one of the solar system's most baffling mysteries, from Cold War scientists racing to be first on the moon, to current theories and remarkable computer generated visions of the moon's explosive creation. 9/19
Star
We ride with Skylab astronauts to witness the terrible beauty of the sun up close, plunge into the sun's nuclear heart with the SOHO mission, and watch as flares rush out of stars at ten million kilometers an hour to engulf even the most distant planets. Features interviews with cosmonaut Alexei Leonov and astronaut Charles Conrad. 9/20
Atmosphere
The local forecast for this program: torrential sulfuric acid rain and metallic snow on Venus, global dust storms raging across Mars, and centuries-long, Earth-sized cyclones circling Jupiter. These extraterrestrial weather reports seem to be taken right out of a science fiction film. Atmosphere is an eye-opening exploration of otherworldly weather that reveals the surprising variety and force of atmospheric activity throughout the solar system. 9/23
Life
Are we alone? Or could life have taken root on other planets? This episode acknowledges that our first searches for extraterrestrial life revealed a desolate solar system-but we could have been looking in the wrong places. 9/24
Destiny
An exploration of how the planets will evolve over the next four billion years as Mars warms up, Mercury and Venus melt down, and the gas around the giant planets slowly blows away, Destiny features an interview with Apollo 17 astronaut Gene Cernan. 9/25

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R

The Real Story: Mystery of Genius (2 Parts)
The Mystery of Genius spotlights the unusual and compelling elements of the uniquely human trait called genius. Narrated by Joseph Campanella, this program entertainingly illuminates a largely misunderstood - yet historically influential phenomenon. It looks at how we define, recognize and measure genius and whether we can create or influence this talent in ourselves or even our unborn. 11/25, 11/26

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The Real West: Elizabeth Custer
This documentary explores the life of Elizabeth Bacon Custer, wife of General George Custer. "The only officer's wife who always followed the regiment," Elizabeth Custer accompanied her husband in his nine years of service on the western frontier. 11/22

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S

Sea Tales: The Halifax Explosion
Some say it was the work of German spies. Others maintain that it was a tragic accident of unimaginable proportions. Whatever the cause, on a bitter morning in 1917 in the booming port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1,600 people were killed and 9,000 injured when a French munitions ship exploded after striking another vessel. 11/14

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Shackleton, 4 Parts
This feature-length film from the writer-director Charles Sturridge, stars Academy Award-winner Kenneth Branagh as the heroic polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. On an expedition to the South Pole on the eve of World War I, Shackleton and his crew found themselves locked in the ice for the long Antarctic winter. As the ice broke up, the ship was crushed, leaving them stranded on the shifting ice floes. Shackleton himself then set out with a handful of men to try to reach civilization. After a journey that included navigating 800 miles of open ocean and trekking through a mountain range on foot, the party reached a remote whaling station. Shackleton and his crew came back with every man still alive. 8/5-8/8 & 12/9-12/12

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T

Treasure! The Wreck of the Concepción
In 1641 an old Spanish galleon carrying a load of Mexican silver wrecked eighty miles off the coast of the Dominican Republic. This documentary explores the story of the ill-fated Concepción and the efforts to recover the ship's precious cargo. 10/4

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Home videos available for purchase at AETV.com or 800-423-1212.

Study guides are available at AETV.com/class.


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