If there is one genre that has found a great medium in television, it is period drama. The format of long-stretched TV series is perfectly suited to historical dramatization that covers generations, sometimes centuries. If you enjoyed watching the classic historical mini series such as Roots, Centennial, North and South, Winds of War & War and Remembrance, you will enjoy the latest TV series as well. They boast with marvelous cinematography and spectacular, high-budget production design and setting that can compare to feature films.

In terms of history, most of these TV shows are fictional stories based on facts. Some more so than others. There are people who will get all up in arms about how it really was, while others will take it at face value. But if watching an entertaining historical saga triggers your interest in true history and propels you to do some research, that will do.

If you want to see any of these TV series, check out our Top 5 Sites to Watch Movies and TV Shows for Free.

1. Rome

   Although interesting, for most of us Roman history has always seemed too distant to relate to. HBO’s ambitious, high budget tv series Rome has managed to breathe life into this fascinating time period. It is an epic show, not lacking in the grandeur of sets and the display of period costumes. Love and betrayal, power and lust, friendship and politics, are all well plotted into the main story that follows the friendship of two Roman soldiers.

   The show realistically depicts life in the raw, as it was in ancient Rome, with primitive superstitions, brutal violence, and rampant sexual activity. As it was quite expensive to make, Rome had a short, two-year lifespan.

   

   Click here to view the video on YouTube.

2. Spartacus: Blood and Sand

   Similar to Rome, Spartacus: Blood and Sand is a highly graphic and visceral period drama that leaves nothing to imagination. Love, battle, adultery, orgy, torture, rape, murder… It is all there in all its misery and glory. The show is a realistic dramatization of the day to day life in the hierarchies of Rome circa 70 BC. The main storyline follows the life of a man betrayed by the Romans, forced into slavery and reborn as a gladiator.

   

   Click here to view the video on YouTube.

3. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

   Released as a prequel,  Spartacus: Gods of the Arena comes in 6 episodes that fill in back stories mentioned in Blood & Sand and give a bigger picture. The action, nudity, violence and offensive language is all there as in the first season.

   

   Click here to view the video on YouTube.

4. Deadwood

   Deadwood tells the true story of the west – fictionalized of course, but not romanticized or beautified by any standards. There is quite a bit of sex, nudity and violence, and the profanity is extreme. However, all of that only adds to the “ambiance” of the setting. Legendary characters Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are mixed in with the fictional characters who are rich and complex as the dialogue they lead. The sets and the costuming are simply incredible.

   The history of the Wild West is explored in all its ruthless grime, severed Indian heads and random murder, bloody fistfights, unabashed and ugly racism, opium addicts, beaten-up whores and children trampled to death by horses – and in the midst of all this, moments of transcending beauty, compassion, and kindness. So many broad issues in a small Deadwood setting, with conflicted characters and detailed scenery make this a great show. Even if you are not a fan of cowboy movies, give it a go.

   

   Click here to view the video on YouTube.

5. Band of Brothers

   Band of Brothers is a true and inspiring story of Easy company from basic training through the end of the war, as told by those who were there on the front lines. It is not a story about war, but men. It shows the reality of war in which you never quite know what will happen next – who’s going to be wounded and sent back home, promoted, demoted or transferred, separated from their unit, or killed. The subtext is on the war within individual values and the loss of meaningful humanity.

   Created by Steven Spielberg and played by an excellent cast, Band of Brothers is filled with potent, poetic imagery. The wonderful cinematography replaces slow-motion effects with high shutter speeds in adrenaline-charged sequences – without bothering to stress formal compositions within the frame. It conveys a vivid “you are there” sense of immediacy. As far as war drama goes, this is the best.

   

   Click here to view the video on YouTube.

6. The Tudors

   If you still haven’t watched The Tudors, you have a lot to look forward to. The show was loved by the audiences and the critics, as it covered pretty much everything from great acting, to provoking dialogues, to impressive colorful costumes and expensive production design. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is remarkable, bringing strength and credibility to the complex character of King Henry VIII. The story follows his life, painting a vivid picture of the man who married multiple times and had various lovers, who was known for despicable political actions that were not favored by many, and who single handedly managed to bring down the Roman Catholic Church.

   You gets a linear view of events through different character’s eyes including the clergy as well as the monarchy. While none of the characters are particularly likable, least of all King Henry himself, the actors playing them are very charismatic. The political and sexual intrigue and the way Henry’s decisions effect everyone around him is what makes this show highly addictive.

   

   Click here to view the video on YouTube.

7. The Borgias

   Created by Neil Jordan, and further backed up with excellent casting of Jeremy Irons in the lead role, The Borgias is a feast to the eyes, much like a feature film, with impressive production design setting, rich costumes, period details, battle scenes, photography, music… Every audio-visual aspect has been accounted for with utmost perfection.

   The Borgias are painted as the first organized crime family, who are no strangers to corruption, manipulation, and brutality that are synonymous with criminal enterprise. The plot is intriguing and introduces the family members with intelligent dialogue and intertwining story lines. The pace of the action is fast – but it makes time occasionally for some rather graphic sensual scenes and gross and bloody fighting. A great watch!

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8. John Adams

   This mini series covers the life of John Adams, and the first 50 years of the United States. The story of American independence and the portrayal of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and all major players is presented vividly. Adams is played brilliantly by Giamatti, showing a deeply principled, law-abiding, passionate, brilliant man. The plot is intelligent and diverse, with mesmerizing scenes of his relationship with Abigail, and the love story that is one of the greatest in American history.

   

   Click here to view the video on YouTube.

9. The Pillars of the Earth

   Set in 12th century England, this action/adventure/romantic epic drama is based on Ken Follet’s classic novel. The plot revolves around the building of a cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge, England. It shows church politics and corruption; greed and power in the fight over the throne of England; family, friendship, betrayal and passion.

   Wonderful cinematography, The Pillars of the Earth features elaborate cast, expensive set production, fancy costumes. As with most modern TV shows, the script is full of nudity, sex, violent scenes, decapitation, incest, and dirty language, but it all makes for a powerful insight into history.

   

   Click here to view the video on YouTube.

10. The Kennedys

    The Kennedys ranks with the very best miniseries. Casting is great and the acting is superb. The series’ portrayal of the Kennedy dynasty gives a lot of space to Joe and Rose Kennedy, offering more insight into the family background. It provides a rather objective view at the political lives of the Kennedy family, without being either propaganda or a smear job.

    From the early election years to the Bay of Pigs fiasco, to finally Kennedy’s resolve during the Cuban missile crisis, the series will keep you on the edge of your seats. Anyone who is interested in politics or the Kennedys will want to see this miniseries.

    

    Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Internet is an endless source of treasures when it comes to mystical, occult texts from many traditions, that until just a few decades ago, were available only to the select few. If you have any interest in the subject, here are some great free online resources to keep you busy reading, learning, growing…

1. Internet Sacred Text Archive

   Internet Sacred Text Archive is one of the largest free online libraries of  books and texts about religion, mythology, folklore and the widest range of esoteric subjects. The site is devoted to religious tolerance and scholarship.

   Internet Sacred Text Archive

2. The Hermetic Library

   Hermetic Library features a collection of texts and sites relating to Hermeticism in a broad sense and the Western esoteric tradition. Includes works of Sam Webster, Bill Heidrick, Aleister Crowley, and many others. Since its creation, in 1996, Hermetic Library has become one of the most comprehensive and popular resources on the mystical and esoteric subjects.

   The Hermetic Library

3. The Arcane Archive

   The Arcane Archive is a cache of Usenet and other text files pertaining to discussions in a wide variety of Usenet newsgroups devoted to occult, religious, magical, and mystical topics. It contains sub-directories in five major categories: interdisciplinary studies, mysticism, occultism, religion, societies and fraternal orders.

   The Arcane Archive

4. Perseus Digital Library

   The Perseus Project is a digital library project of Tufts University that assembles digital collections of humanities resources. It is hosted by the Department of Classics. It is an evolving collection of resources for the study of the ancient world, including archaeology, atlas, texts and translations, text tools and lexica. Ancient Greek works in Perseus are stored as beta code, though they can be reformatted for display into a variety of transcription systems.

   Perseus Digital Library

5. Muktabodha

   This is an online digital library of rare Sanskrit texts initially focused on Kashmir Shaivism, then broadening to Trika-Kaula, Saiva-Siddhanta, Pancaratra, Natha Yoga and other tantric works, in addition to manuscripts on Vedic Shrauta ritual. Hosted by the Muktabodha Indological Research Institute whose mission is to recover and preserve endangered treasures of India’s religious and philosophical wisdom and make them accessible for study and scholarship, and ultimately as a resource for humanity.

   Muktabodha

6. ACIP

   The Asian Classics Input Project aims to preserve disappearing books containing the great ideas of the Eastern half of humanity, and to make these books and ideas accessible to the world at large. Downloadable mainly as zipped text & rtf files. Includes over 200 previously unreleased titles from the classics of traditional Asian philosophy in the Tibetan language.

   ACIP

7. Dharmic Scriptures

   Here you will find the four Vedas which you can download in a zipped Word file, together with Vedas Excerpts, Vedic Samhitas & Brahmanas Introduction, and the Upanishads, all in zipped Word files.

   Dharmic Scriptures

8. Encyclopedia Mythica

   As the name says, this is an online encyclopedia of mythology, folklore, and religion. The mythology data base is divided into large geographical regions, with further subdivisions, and is also searchable by linguistic and ethnological groups. Folklore is set up in three sections; general folklore, folktales from many lands and Arthurian legends. As an added feature there are several special interest areas – a Bestiary, legendary heroes, an image gallery, and genealogical tables of various pantheons and prominent houses.

   Encyclopedia Mythica

9. The Theosophic Society

   A large collection of Theosoophical writings, in plain text format, including books by Blavatsky, Judge, Tingley, Purucker and many others. Also, here you will find introductory manuals on Theosophy and material on the world’s sacred traditions. There is also a searchable PDF version of Blavatsky’s The Secret Doctrine, and the latter is downloadable in a zipped file.

   The Theosophic Society

10. Taoism Digital Library

    This online library hosts many popular texts in English language: The Tao Te Ching, the Chuang-tzu, I Ching and other works. Further links to a wide variety of Taoist texts and commentaries.

    Taoism Digital Library

It’s never too early or too late to get an education. If you are looking for creative ways to jump-start your child’s early education, take a look at our selection of the top ten products available for preschoolers today.

1. LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Tablet

   Winner of the Oppenheim Best Toy Award, LeapFrog’s LeapPad is like an iPad designed for kids. It is age appropriate, easy-to-use and engaging to a generation of kids that expect great graphics, games, and speed. All of it delivered, at $99.

   The games pull from LeapFrog’s library of 100+ educational games – so you can select those that are most appropriate for your child and his or her needs. You can use all Leapster Explorer games and apps you already have – also a plus.  The LeapPad also has a built in camera and video camera. All in all – a great use of technology that will entertain and engage any child.

   

   Click here to view the video on YouTube.

   LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Tablet

2. Hooked on Phonics

   Hooked on Phonics provides award winning educational programs for children ages 2 to 10. Over two million families and thousands of schools are using Hooked on Phonics® products because of their proven learn-practice-play approach. Children learn at their own pace, mastering each new skill before they move on to the next. Practicing and reinforcing new skills is designed to be fun, and every experience ends with a celebration.

   Winner of more than 10 prestigious awards: Teachers’ Choice, iParenting Media Award, Dr. Toy Best Educational Products Award, to name a few. Hooked on Phonics offers a variety of other educational programs, such as Hooked on Math, Hooked on English, Foreign Language, etc.

   Hooked on Phonics

3. Funetics

   Funetics teaches children to read through engaging games, activities, songs and fun. The program has been developed by top educators, incorporating research-proven instruction based on phonics teaching theory. Unlike computer-based programs, Funetics is a one-on-one experience. Your child interacts with you, not a computer screen. Unlike other programs that use workbooks and flash cards, Funetics is much less complicated, repetitive and rigidly structured. You don’t need training in education or hours of preparation. Just read the script and let the fun begin.

   The Funetics course can be completed at your (and your child’s) pace, in as little as 3 months. It is based on 81 lessons that gradually introduce concepts of increasing difficulty. Each lesson takes an average of 20-30 minutes to complete. There are over 300 entertaining games and activities which provide a fun way to keep the child motivated. Lesson scripts make it easy provide high quality instruction, and assessment instructions help you track the child’s progress and adapt the program. Most lessons have supplemental activities to pace and customize for the child’s needs.

   Funetics

4. ClickN KIDS

   ClickN KIDS is a company specialized in children’s education. They offer two award winning programs to help children read and write. Both are designed by nationally recognized phonics research professor Dr. J. Ron Nelson.

   ClickN READ Phonics program is aimed at children as young as 4 years old up to 3rd grade. It teaches the phonics curriculum taught at USA public schools through 100 interactive cartoon animated online phonics lessons. Children learn english correctly in a phonics game – like environment that is great fun and easy to use. ClickN READ phonics program is also ideal for older children struggling to learn to read, learning disabled children and even adults learning English as a second language. Its superior quality is sealed with a 60 day money back guarantee.

   ClickN SPELL is a research based spelling program for preschool through 5th grade that teaches the 800 most commonly used words in the English language. The most commonly spoken 800 words are used 13 times more frequently than the next most common 800 words. ClickN SPELL therefore provides a solid foundation not just for spelling, but also for the English language in general. The unique instructional design makes spelling more fun and more effective than ever before. The program may also be used as an intervention curriculum for struggling spellers regardless of age or grade level.

   Current Promotions:

   • Buy 1 ClickN READ Student Get the 2nd FREE! Use coupon code: 2STUDENTFREE exp. 9/30/11
   • Save $50 on Looney Tunes Phonics Family Pack with Code: LTPFAM50B exp. 9/30
   • Save $130 On The New Looney Tunes Phonics Family Pack. Use Code: LTPFAM130
   • Get The New Looney Tunes Phonics Family Pack ($330 Value) for ONLY $199.95! Use Code: LTPFAM50

   ClickN KIDS

5. Nick Jr. Boost

   Nick Jr. Boost is an online educational service designed for preschoolers through first graders, with an extra bonus: it’s totally personalized. The program was earlier known as mynoggin.com. It covers literacy, math, science, creativity, Spanish, and computer skills.Guided by national standards in preschool education, Nick Jr. Boost makes the most of the time children spend playing online with a “connected learning” approach. The idea is to start with topics and tales that grab children’s interest, mix in favorite characters, then use these ingredients to present concepts and skills that help kids learn. This approach is very effective because combining play with learning encourages children to dig deeper and develop a richer understanding.

   The Parent Center is designed to keep Mom and Dad in the loop, providing an inside glimpse of your child’s progress. As kids complete activities or advance to the next level, Nick Jr. Boost clues you in on new achievements and skills. Just as important, if your child is struggling in a particular area, Nick Jr. Boost sends a heads-up plus tips for easy, offline do-together games and activities to help your child master that challenge.

   Nick Jr. Boost

6. ABC Home Preschool

   ABC Home Preschool is a great resource for preschool training for 2 to 6 year olds. A variety of subjects: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Science and Social Studies are all consolidated into a 9-month curriculum, all fitted into one book. And the child cannot destroy the book, as the pages are laminated so that the pages cannot be torn!! AND when using the special marker the pages can be wiped clean and used again. ABC Home Preschool also provides Online Curriculum Downloads.

   

   ABC Home Preschool

7. U-Play Mat

   As the name suggests, U-Play Mat is a large U-shaped mat designed to facilitate easy and playful interaction between the child and the parent or a tutor. The child sits inside the opening of the “U” with full visual and tactile access to the mat, without having to crawl atop. Fifteen theme-based cards are inserted into transparent pockets on the mat surface to engage the child in a variety of exercises. This great cognitive development tool was invented by Dr. Jen, pediatrician and mother of two sets of twins.

   U Play Mat

8. Hop, Skip & Jump

   The easy and effective way to teach your child to read just like kids who pick up reading without effort. Sound Reading’s groundbreaking reading software builds on the innate abilities of speech in learning to read. It is based on innovative reading practice. Learning to read has never been so fun, fast or easy. For 4 to 6 year olds, Hop, Skip and Jump will prevent reading difficulties before they develop.

   Hop, Skip & Jump

9. Brite Music

   Brite is the nation’s leader in music-based education products. Music is a proven aid to learning. When music is involved in the learning process, children comprehend sooner and the effect is long lasting.

   Music is stored in our long-term memory. When we learn something through music, we remember it longer and believe it more deeply. Brite has put the inestimable power of music to work in children education. Its main focus is on social development, self-esteem and personal safety of children of all ages.

   

   Brite Music

10. The Money Mammals

    This entertaining DVD fills a gaping void in childrens’ educational videos by teaching the value of money. In today’s society where debt is an epidemic, the Money Mammal message to children to “share, save, and spend smart too” comes as an invaluable lesson. If your kids enjoy Sesame Street and the Muppets, they will be sure to fall in love with the Money Mammals. The dialogue is cute and jokey, the production values are superb — the songs feature MTV-like special effects — but most importantly of all, the educational message is right on the mark but disguised as pure entertainment for kids.

    Winner of numerous children and toy awards, The Money Mammals DVD is a great way to start young children on the path to a successful financial future. Through the use of puppets, fun and catchy music, and an engaging story, simple and easy to learn savings lessons come alive for children.

    

    The Money Mammals

    
    

Technorati Tags: kids, learning aids, preschool, homeschooling, children

Who says learning can’t be as fun or as addictive as playing games? Board games for children are incredibly effective learning tools as they promote teamwork and boost self-confidence, while ensuring fast-paced learning inspired by healthy competition. Today there are many games available to educate the young; here we have selected the top ten award winning educational games for children.

1. Blokus Board Game

   Fun for both kids and adults, Blokus is a strategy board game that challenges spatial thinking. Bright colors and simple rules make it ideal for ages five and up, but adults will certainly be engrossed by this unique and challenging game. Winner of over 20 prestigious awards.

   Blokus encourages creative thinking and has received a Mensa award for promoting healthy brain activity. It is simple to understand, but the game’s complexity is revealed shortly after everyone begins to play. It can be addictive, even for those not normally into abstract games. Blokus is a catalyst for spatial thinking, as players form images in their mind before placing the pieces on the board. Children and adults can play together for hours of competitive family fun.

   
   Blokus Board Game

2. Set Game

   SET is a card game of quick recognition and deduction. It is for one or more players, for ages six and above. Winner of many awards and featured on the New York Times bestselling games page.The object of the game is to identify “sets” of three cards. Each card is unique in its four features; color – red, green or purple, symbol – diamond, squiggle or oval, shading – solid, striped or open, and number – 1, 2 or 3. A “set” consists of three cards on which each feature is either the same on all of the cards, or different on all of the cards. This game contains complete instructions for play, 81 cards, and a durable plastic carrying case.

   
   Set Game

3. Passport to Culture – The World Culture Game

   This is a unique, exciting board game where players circle the globe, uncovering the mysteries of our amazing world. A game that’s an international education unto itself, Passport to Culture™ is part quiz, part cultural exchange, and all fun.

   Designed for ages 10 and up, with fascinating, fun-filled questions about people and places, food & drink, world treasures, greetings and gestures, or customs and traditions for all of the world’s countries and encounter surprising scenarios while traveling the globe. A Cultural IQ™ score measures each player’s global smarts, and no one ever really loses because everyone always learns something new. Passport To Culture™ is the Winner of Museum Tour Product of the Year award and Winner of National Parenting Center Seal of Approval.

   

   
   Passport to Culture – The World Culture Game

4. Totally Gross Game

   Winner of iParenting Media Award, this unique game engages kids to learn and understand all the major scientific disciplines. From biology to chemistry to zoology, there are over 220 science questions and activities.

   A dose of gross helps science make sense! Did you know snot keeps your lungs clean? Or that some bullfrogs are cannibals? Learn this and more as you travel around the game board answering queasy questions. Land on a Gross-Out space, and you may have to check another player for toe jam or describe the last time you threw up! Every time you answer a question or complete a Gross-Out, stretch your slime on the score line. Stretch it to 10 and complete a Lab Experiment to win the game! Full of action and information, it’s an educational game they’ll actually enjoy. Designed for ages 8 and up.

   Totally Gross Game

5. Mars 2020 Board Game

   Learn tons of facts with over 500 multiple-choice questions related to space science and technology. Choose a spaceship and a crew member and try to land on Mars first. Along the orbital path, players must answer questions to fix malfunctions that occur. Kids love the “cool” spaceship playing pieces and becoming a crew member. Mars 2020 captures the excitement, the challenge and the science involved in reaching the red planet. Mars even continues to orbit throughout the game, which provides an added challenge. Unexpected messages from Mission Control add excitement to the play. Ages 8 and Up, 2-6 Players.

   

   
   Mars 2020 Game
   

6. The Play’s the Thing Board Game

   This is a game to play and preform. Kids will learn about Shakespeare in a way that captures the spirit of his work and the pure fun and excitement of the theater. So besides learning the characters, plots and quotations from Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar, players will experience the stage mishaps and the much anticipated reviews! No knowledge of Shakespeare is required. Ages 8 and Up, 2 – 6 Players.
   

   The Play’s the Thing Board Game

7. Where in the World Game

   Where in the World was introduced 16 years ago it launched the trend in geography games. Today, this game remains the most comprehensive world geography games that families and classrooms love. The game has been updated to include the latest facts about every country in the world including capitals, major imports and exports, languages and religions. With 6 games in one, it’s possible for players of all abilities to play together providing challenge and a world of fun for everyone. Ages 8 and up, 2 – 6 players.

   Six games on six levels of play offer players of all ages a complete up-to-date tour of world geography. Learn the names, locations and vital facts of all 196 countries! Players will learn facts about every country in the world including; country name, continent, flag, capital, population, rank in size, literacy rate, monetary unit, languages, religions, imports, exports and seacoasts.Game includes 6 region maps (Africa, Asia, Europe, North American, South America and Oceania), 196 country cards, 6 wild cards, 1 spinner, 1 bodies of water reference board, 120 playing pieces and instructions.

   Where in the World Game

8. The Whole Brain Game

   This fun, fast paced interactive game challenges the mind, creates outbursts of creativity and causes the players to “Think out of the Box”. The concept is simple: It’s not what you think, but how you think it. Players are challenged to take unlike words or situations and create similarities, as one playing example. It causes the players to spontaneously think and shout out responses to the questions rapidly to beat the clock.

   A mentally and intellectually stimulating, educational and fun game all at the same time! “Right brain” activity is stimulated as players generate ideas, use their imaginations and work out patterns and relationships. At the same time the “left brain” quickly structures responses using language, logic, sequences and details. Great for families, parties, schools, and anyone that dares to think differently.

   

   The Whole Brain Game

9. Level Minded

   Level Minded is an exciting, educational, competitive family game designed to promote social and moral development. This balancing contest of principles, values and beliefs is an educational tool, winner of many awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children Products Award, Child Magazine’s Preferred Choice Award, iParenting Media’s Best Products Award. Ages: eight and up. Number of players: 2 to 8.

   Players score points by navigating a ball on a unique three dimensional labyrinth path and writing the most “level minded” responses to questions about ones personal principles, values and beliefs. The questions asked can be quite challenging, but since the players written responses are submitted anonymously, the answers can be clever, insightful or just plain silly. Level Minded includes the Junior Principles, values and beliefs deck, of questions but maybe played with multiple card decks.

   Level Minded

10. Stare!

    Winner of the National Parenting Center Seal and the Teacher’s Choice Award for the Family, this is a fun game for kids that develops memory, concentration and imagination. For 2 to 6 players (up to 18 players with teams). Ages 6-12.

    Kids can test and train their visual memory skills and have a blast doing it. In Stare! Junior – the game – players have 30 seconds to stare at an image on a card. Images are varied and fun for kids to look at. It might be a movie poster, funny photo, comic, work of art and more. When time is up, an opponent will flip over the card and ask the player a series of questions about the image to see how much they can recall. What was the clown holding in his left hand? What color was the girl’s hat? Guess right and advance on the game board. Kids can play individually or on teams. The revised Second Edition includes larger image cards containing all new images and questions! Includes 960 questions on 160 image cards, game board, sand timer, playing pieces, die, and instruction sheet.

    Stare!

Technorati Tags: educational, games, children, board games, learning