Rating: 
Summary: Excellent and entertaining history
Review: This may be the most interesting history series I've ever seen. As a whole, I was more captivated by the earlier history than the more recent. But the entire set inspired me to bring out my maps and read more about English History (albeit in Historical Fiction - I would recommend Sarum by Edward Rutherford, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and The Physician by Noah Gordon). As an American, I didn't study a lot of this history in school growing up, so for me it was fresh and entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating
Review: This set of documentaries is superbly entertaining and informing. Mr Schama is the higher authority on British history and his dry wit makes it even more splendid WHAT I DON'T LIKE:
Why do we have to have that dramatic music and the slow-motion falcons, peacocks etc? All that spoon-fed symbolism. I think that re-enactments are unecessary too. Plus they add so much to the budget. I get all excited when I find out new documentaries are coming on the HISTORY channel only to have them all tricked up with blood running down the screen or some fire super-imposed over Hitler's face. That's the chasm between most documenatries you see on The History channel as opposed to PBS. I think every documentary film-maker could take a tip from KEN BURNS and let the events, paintings, photographs, period music, and interviews speak for themselves. Of course, having said that, I highly recommend this DVD set. SEE IT!
Rating:
Summary: The library on Britain
Review: This Simon Schama is Britain's answer to the American Ken Burns. If you want a complete history from the beginnings to the contemporary, this collection will not leave you disappointed. Unlike The Greeks - Crucible of Civilization, this DVD set gives you the full meal deal. At the end of 15 hours of excellent viewing, all your questions are put to rest. I wish other producers of history video/dvd titles would try to emulate Mr Schama work. He knows his history and does not have to fake it. Amazon.com's price today is $$ for the box set. At a cost of $$ dollars a disk, this is a steal for you history lovers. And if you are like me, you will keep watching and watching...receiving utility well more than the selling price.
Rating:
Summary: Vacillates between sheer genius and mediocrity
Review: To be perfectly honest - I do not really know what to do with Schama's History of Britain: Is it a piece of sheer genius, or is it just mediocre? I am happy to have borrowed it from our libray and seen it, but I am not so sure it would have been worth the almost eighty dollars to buy it.
Most episodes seem to suffer from time-constraint; since the topic is so wide it is difficult to weigh the need of detail with the need of a general overview. If you know a lot of English history, you will find few revelations. Schama does not include much new research. If you do not know a lot you might find it quite beautifully filmed and with a passable overview.
However, the final episode, about Winston Churchill and George Orwell is absolutely wonderful! It is a kind of summary of the entire series: they were both products of a special society that had been formed over the previous thousands of years. Without knowing British history you cannot expect to understand neither Churchill nor Orwell. Schama also, with obvious pride, describes how both of these men, diametrically opposite in political views, could work inside the system; British society can accept anyone that wants to work for the betterment of Britain.
One last word: Don't expect to see much about Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, Schama's focus is mainly on England. This is a shame, since all these countries have played such vital roles in the making of Britain.
Rating:
Summary: Effortless History
Review: Unlike James Burke whose popular connections series made no apologies for appealing to a mass audience, Professor Schama lays out the subject matter and simply assumes one can "keep up". And indeed, one can. It is a brilliant overview of the History of Britain; moreover, the visual combination of still photos and comtemporary video is mixed nicely throughout. Best viewed with a straight shot of Midelton and a pint of Stout.
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant and unique presentation of a familiar tale
Review: Who says there was nothing more to be said about the history of Britain? Simon Schama has proved them wrong to the nth degree. Coming from the perspective of a post-deconstructionist historian as well as that of a Jewish historian, Schama's history asks questions that had gone overlooked and offers answers to riddles that remain unsolved. The production values are first rate, and Schama's control of the project kept it from seeming "Burns-esque." This is one to be revisited with the regularity that befits a subject this worthy.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: With anticipated glee, we bought this DVD series as a Christmas gift for our family; however, as we went through each of the 5 DVD's, we became increasingly disappointed in Schama's "history." So much of his presentation seems to be "on the fringe" and not central to the mainstream of the basic history of Britain. Also, as others have pointed out, Schama seems intent on presenting the "gore" of battles, tragedies, etc. He also seems fascinated with sex and the eccentric too much. We just felt that we were not getting the fullness of the basic story of Britain's history. It was very disappointing, and we would not recommend it.
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