Mark Williams is a treasure. In this first of his multi-part historical series he presents the start and rise of the industrial revolution Great Britain. From mining operations that drove the need for steam power to the use of special canals all around Britain... he ties a series of facts and interesting information into a brilliant story.
He is a hands on presenter. Not a "see my face on camera and hear my voice" type, he gets right into things operating steam engines, making steel, piloting canal boats, and more.
Each episode begins with a basic premise but he manages to keep everything tied together show after show after show. Little items of info he brings up and explains in one show suddenly make even more sense three shows later when you get to see how they turn into something even bigger or newer.
And unlike many other presenters he seems genuinely enthusiastic about his subject matter. He is having fun making these shows and it really comes through. There is an amazing amount of information packed into a 10-part series. I believe I took away and will retain more information about the industrial revolution from this series than I ever received and remember from school (and I liked history!)
If all history could be presented like this, then more people would pay it the attention it deserves.
