Thanks for this. When I was about 12 this series opened my eyes in so many ways. Still have the book. The world needs teachers like Bronowski, Sagan and Attenborough more than it needs monuments.
The Sistene Chapel would be a small price to pay for another of their calibre.
I took an Anthropology class in the late 70's called 'The Ascent of Man' at The University of Pittsburgh. We watched the entire series and the book that accompanied the film. I often spoke with my professor for long periods after class as I was totally in awe of Bronowski. The professor waived me from taking all the exams and writing the required essays and he gave me 'A' because he saw my intense intellectual fervor for this incredible series. It's just as good now, as it was back in the 70's!
Both Bronowski's Ascent of man & Sagan's Cosmos are wonderful accounts on the history of science. It's a shame because I heard two scientists talking a couple of years ago and saying that now a show like 'the ascent of man' would never be made today because it would be too expensive for the tv companies to do.
Nearly forty years after its release, "The Ascent of Man" remains one of television's greatest achievements. Though some production aspects may be a tad dated by today's gee-whiz CGI standards (as well as the theme music played by the then-new electronic synthesizer), this landmark series is still required viewing by anyone wishing to broaden their general knowledge of science and technology - and their humanity (in particular, Episode 11). This series is Dr. Bronowski's lasting legacy.
I watched this program when it first aired on PBS. I bought the hard-bound book and followed the chapters and episodes, page by page. The book and the episodes are the same in dialogue and in descriptive form. As I opened up the book to a chapter, let's say chapter 5 - the program on TV is chapter 5 and you can watch/read at the same time. This made learning much easier and I remembered certain quotes and lines. Try it.
Ascent of Man should be part of every elementary or high school curriculum. Definitely for home-schoolers. The content will outlast the dated music and graphics.
I watched this as a kid. Much better than Cosmos. It would be great if you could put the segments into a playlist so that it's easy to watch them all in sequence, or put a link to the next segment in the comments
Thanks for this. When I was about 12 this series opened my eyes in so many ways. Still have the book. The world needs teachers like Bronowski, Sagan and Attenborough more than it needs monuments.
The Sistene Chapel would be a small price to pay for another of their calibre.
EdDueim 1 month ago
I took an Anthropology class in the late 70's called 'The Ascent of Man' at The University of Pittsburgh. We watched the entire series and the book that accompanied the film. I often spoke with my professor for long periods after class as I was totally in awe of Bronowski. The professor waived me from taking all the exams and writing the required essays and he gave me 'A' because he saw my intense intellectual fervor for this incredible series. It's just as good now, as it was back in the 70's!
jamielynnfox 7 months ago
Both Bronowski's Ascent of man & Sagan's Cosmos are wonderful accounts on the history of science. It's a shame because I heard two scientists talking a couple of years ago and saying that now a show like 'the ascent of man' would never be made today because it would be too expensive for the tv companies to do.
STEPHENWRAYSFORD33 1 year ago 2
Comment removed
STEPHENWRAYSFORD33 1 year ago
Nearly forty years after its release, "The Ascent of Man" remains one of television's greatest achievements. Though some production aspects may be a tad dated by today's gee-whiz CGI standards (as well as the theme music played by the then-new electronic synthesizer), this landmark series is still required viewing by anyone wishing to broaden their general knowledge of science and technology - and their humanity (in particular, Episode 11). This series is Dr. Bronowski's lasting legacy.
AJNorth 1 year ago
ADDITION: You can also watch/read with the COSMOS series as well.
MrChristian326 1 year ago
I watched this program when it first aired on PBS. I bought the hard-bound book and followed the chapters and episodes, page by page. The book and the episodes are the same in dialogue and in descriptive form. As I opened up the book to a chapter, let's say chapter 5 - the program on TV is chapter 5 and you can watch/read at the same time. This made learning much easier and I remembered certain quotes and lines. Try it.
MrChristian326 1 year ago
AMAZING!
Pepotamo1985 1 year ago
absolutely wonderful!
Eric Scerri, UCLA chemist,
author of "The Periodic Table, Its Story and Its Significance", OUP 2007
Drericscerri 1 year ago
Ascent of Man should be part of every elementary or high school curriculum. Definitely for home-schoolers. The content will outlast the dated music and graphics.
ericn9vjg 2 years ago
what a great series.
DarknessConqueredMe 2 years ago
I watched this as a kid. Much better than Cosmos. It would be great if you could put the segments into a playlist so that it's easy to watch them all in sequence, or put a link to the next segment in the comments
noswonky 2 years ago 2
this was a beautiful series, Bronowski is a gem, many thanks for this, I've been lookin out for it for ages
Oscar301 3 years ago 2