History's Turning Points-2 (VIDEO)

This sequel to the best selling series, History's Turning Points, continues with thirteen additional moments in time that changed the course of history. These docu-dramas, with dramatizations carried out at the actual sites of the events and some newly released historical footage, provide perspectives of these events that only visual interpretations of the latest in historical research can provide.

Fly with the Wright Brothers, storm the Bastille, learn how television was created and what it meant to the war in Vietnam. A captivating journey into World History.

Volume 1: THE PLOT TO KILL HITLER
The bomb explodes, but against all odds Europe's most hated dictator survives In July 1944 Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a trusted junior officer of the Nazi home army, entered Hitler's high security headquarters, the Wolf's Lair, intent to kill his Furher. He stakes his life on success and a restoration of honor for Germany. The bomb explodes, but by a curious twist of fate, does not kill Hitler, who goes on to be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands more men, women and children in the last nine months of the war.

Volume 2: REVOLUTION IN PARIS
A prison is stormed and modern France is born On July 14th 1789 the starving and destitute citizens of Paris riot in search of food and weapons. The people storm the Bastille, dreaded symbol of royal rule, determined to liberate its prisoners and seize its weapons. Its ill fated governor, Monsieur De Launay eventually surrenders, overwhelmed by the number of besiegers. He becomes the first nobleman to die at the hands of the citizens and the people of France learn through violent struggle they might realize their dream of a people's republic

Volume 3: SEARCH FOR TROY
Schliemann finds the site of Ancient Troy and the mythical past becomes scientific fact
Heinrich Schliemann was a German grocer's boy who had made a fortune in the gold fields of California and became an archaeologist. He dug for three years at Hissarlik in modern Turkey, determined to prove that it was the site of the Troy of the ancient epic story of Homer's Iliad. In 1873 he discovers a glorious horde of treasure and opens the world's eyes to the wonders of the ancient past. The mythical world of the heroes of the Iliad had become reality.

Volume 4: THE TELEVISION EXPLOSION
Television explodes into a business and in one generation revolutionized our lives David Sarnoff, a poor Russian immigrant, was the first person to recognize the financial and commercial potential for television. He had championed the radio mania of the 1920s and set out to put a television in every home in America. At the World's Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York on April 30th 1939, Sarnoff unveils commercial television, the most powerful means of advertising and entertainment yet invented. Our world would never be the same again

Volume 5: THE RISE OF THE MOB
The Volstead Act is passed and the Mafia takes over America

In 1920 the American government cracks down on drinking and bans the sale and consumption of alcohol. But instead of making America a better place, prohibition funds the creation of an even greater evil - the Mafia. Chicago becomes a city torn by rival gangs led by the notorious Al Capone and his arch enemy Bugs Moran. On St. Valentine's Day Al Capone's men massacre members of Moran's gang in a blood bath at a disused garage. The murders horrify America and on February 20 1933, prohibition is abolished, ridding the gangsters of their most valuable source of income.

Volume 6: THE SHOT THAT STARTED THE GREAT WAR
The murder of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggers the start of a world war

Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire arrived with his wife Sophie in the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sarajevo on June 28th 1914. His visit is a show of strength to the rebellious Serb Nationalists. That day saw him assassinated with his wife by Gavrilo Princip, an idealistic 18 year old, in the streets of Sarajevo. Their assassination set in motion a chain of events which led rapidly to the outbreak of World War I and the end of an era.

Volume 7: THE SPANISH ARMADA
The planned Spanish invasion of England fails and England dominates the waves

It is 1588 and the conflict between the Catholic Philip II of Spain and the Protestant Queen Elizabeth I of England is at a breaking point. In May Philip launches the Spanish Armada, an invincible fleet of 130 ships to conquer English shores Sir Francis Drake and the English fleet sail from Plymouth to meet the invaders. The English overcome the far larger Spanish fleet by using fireships. The broken Armada is forced to flee North where many die off the hostile coasts of Scotland and Ireland. Philip's dream of a Europe united under Catholic rule is shattered

Volume 8: THE INCREDIBLE MARCH
Mao turns defeat into victory and Chinese communism is born

Mao Tse-tung, the leader of China's Communist First Front Army flees the forces of his arch enemy, the Nationalist leader Chiang Kai Shek. Mao and his one hundred thousand strong peasant army battle against the Nationalists and nature itself, fleeing over 6000 miles through 12 provinces over 18 mountain ranges and across 24 rivers in an epic test of human endurance. Only six thousand men survive but Mao lives to become the undisputed father of Chinese Communism and 14 years after his epic journey becomes Chairman of the People's Republic of China.

Volume 9: THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN
The RAF defeats the Luftwaffe and democracy is saved

Britain's fighter pilots take to the skies in the summer of 1940 in order to maintain control of the English Channel and stave off Hitler's planned invasion. When German bombers lose their way and drop bombs on London on August 24, Prime Minister Churchill retaliates by sending planes to attack Berlin. Hitler's Luftwaffe shifts its attack to British cities and kills thousands of civilians during the Blitz. But despite terrible losses the British pilots fight gallantly and eventually force Hitler to abandon indefinitely his plans for a land invasion of Britain.

Volume 10: THE FIRST FLIGHT
The Wright brothers reach for the clouds and world air travel becomes a reality

Orville and Wilbur Wright, two bicycle mechanics from Dayton, Ohio are determined to prove that man can fly. After years of research, the two brothers eventually construct the Flyer and on the sands of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on December 17 1903 Orville Wright becomes the first man to fly in a self-propelled engine powered plane. The age of flight has arrived

Volume 11: NAPOLEON INVADES RUSSIA
The French army is destroyed by the Russian winter and a new Empire is created In 1812 Napoleon, Emperor of France determines to defeat Alexander I Tsar of all Russias and establish himself as the most formidable military leader in Europe. He sets out to conquer Russia with half a million men. Although he captures Moscow, the Russian capital, hundreds of thousands of soldiers die, frozen or starved to death on Russia's open plains. Rather than the greatest of his military victories, Napoleon's invasion of Russia becomes a disorganized retreat. His dream of a united Europe under France is destroyed forever.

Volume 12: CRISIS IN KOREA
A Communist invasion in the Far East brings the world close to nuclear war
When communist North Korea invades the democratic South in 1950, the US World War II hero, General MacArthur is determined to put an end to the Red menace for good. With his daring landing at Inchon, he pulls off one of the greatest military operations ever. But when he orders his troops north to the Yalu river, Communist China joins the war. Their massive land and jet plane attacks drive the United Nations forces back into South Korea and MacArthur threatens to drop atomic bombs in China, a move that could spark off global nuclear war. Just in time, US President Harry Truman prevents this by firing MacArthur. World War III has been avoided, but the Cold War has truly started.

Volume 13: THE BATTLE FOR VIETNAM
Walter Cronkite and the media question a victory and the war in Vietnam is lost
During the Tet truce for Chinese New Year, January 31st 1968, the Vietcong carry out a surprise attack on America's Embassy in Vietnam's capital, Saigon. It is the beginning of a country-wide offensive as major cities are assaulted all over Vietnam and thousands are killed. Television footage of the attacks are broadcast in America where the CBS Anchorman Walter Cronkite publicly questions America's involvement in the war. His report sends shock waves through an American public already wavering in their support for President Lyndon Johnson

History's Turning Points II

Grade Level:  7 - Adult