Rating: 
Summary: Fabulous! This is a classic!
Review: I have never seen such a comprehensive documentary of global economics. It carries the audience through the twentieth century from the early days of Progressive-era globalization to World War 1, an event that would destroy global economics until the 1990s. Keynesian economics, the system of regulating the economy, is addressed, as are the challenges that it brought in the 1970s (stagflation). It shows how the core of ideas has shifted from control to free markets, from socialism to capitalism. Now the main challenge in the era of globalization is to work towards a fairer market, one where "common" citizens can play an active role in investing, finance, and shareholding.
Rating:
Summary: Yergin does it again. WONDERFUL
Review: I read this book because I Loved "THE PRIZE." Yergin does it again in this wonderfully researched and presented book on the importance of the Big Sectors of the economy and how they are treated by the governments. I'll read anything Yergin writes.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: I'm an average guy. I get laid off every couple years. I don't like to pay taxes. Don't know what to think of the anti-globalization people dressed as turtles or whatever. That was the extent of my education in world economics before I saw this series. I was glued to the TV.
Since I'm not an intellectual, my comment is simply this: "Holy cow this is interesting!" (I'm self censoring here!)
I think this material is a pre-requisite for anyone who votes. I'm serious.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent (there's never a final word)
Review: If one understands that there is never a final word on a subject as intricate and process-oriented as economic history and evolution, then this series is absolutely excellent. The first video gives a clear summary of the competing economic theoies of the 20th century though in a cursory way. The second video is my favorite as it traces the rise and fall of different national economies such as Russia, Poland, India, Bolivia. It is a very engaging inside look at what happened in these countries. The interviews are particularily interesting and insightful.
If you are interested in economics, the book "The mystery of capital" by De Soto
( he's in the video) is mind expanding.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: If there were only more stars to give. This truly exceptional documentary takes an intriguing look at the effect of governmental policy on the markets of the world, and does so while offering excellent historical perspective. The treatment of political approaches is fair and objective, showing both the positive and negative impact of all types of policy. However, the clear and undeniable conclusion is that unfettered free markets will provide the most benefit to the most people. What a joy to see such an honest, straightforward, analytical approach in such an interesting format.
Rating:
Summary: A testament to the power of ideas
Review: Many great thoughts have been expressed here regarding the DVD version of "Commanding Heights".As a Professor of Economics, I do of course echo much of the same enthusiasm for the seamless integration of economics, sociology, anthropology, politics, and philosophy -- i.e. political economy -- however, my primary praise for this series has little to do with economics directly. IMO, it's great achievement is that it successfully animates the "power of ideas" within human history. Marx, Keynes, Hayek, Friedman, et al, were people of ideological ideas, and if this series does anything, it truly projects the "creatively destructive" nature of ideas, and the often present irony of how these ideas are usually taken far beyond the original intent of their creators. For instance, it is doubtful Marx would be a Marxian as Marxism is known today. Ditto with Keynes and modern Keynesians? Likewise, Smith would be frightened by some of today's far-right who pay him lip-service. Perhaps Keynes unknowingly reviewed this series best:
". . . the ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back."
(The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money). If I have any complaint with it, it would be it seems too short and slightly biased towards "Keynesian" thought. But, some bias is expected in such endeavors, and perhaps my own libertarian ideology has biased my own judgment here? In any event, it is NOT ideological dogma, and is certainly a worthwhile series that does justice to the ideas it chronicles in an acceptably fair and honest manner. I could not recommend any DVD on Amazon more highly.
Rating: 
Summary: Neo-Liberal Claptrap
Review: The global economy endorsed by this video is a doomsday machine.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting history, misleading conclusions
Review: The only reason this video gets 2 stars (and not a complete zero) is because it does a decent job of explaining (some) aspects of post-WWII economic history that are almost completely unknown to the vast majority of Americans - even though such information should be taught in grade school (at least, if this was truly a free and democratic republic). A good example is the contrast between Keynesian and Austrian (Hayek) economics. The reason the video is -- in all other respects -- an almost complete failure is b/c of the way in which words, facts and figures are twisted so as to sell the banker's nirvana of global capitalism. A good example is the fact (left unstated in the video) that Keynesian economics is little more than Communism w/ a friendly, happy British face (widely known, in polite society, as Fabian Socialism). Another good example is the depiction of the Thatcher/Reagan "Revolution" as Austrian in nature. Of course it wasn't -- deficit spending and fiat money (which is basically how one should characterize the 1980s) are anethema to Austrian economices, but the video never makes mention of this fact. There is a world of difference between the Austrian libertarians like von Mises and the Chicago monetarists (like Freidman and Schultz) who are deified in the video. If you want a real dose of Austrian economics, check out Texas Representative Ron Paul -- he's probably the only one in Washington preaching sound fiscal policy these days. There is another path to true economic prosperity - it's called the American Way. It was "invented" by German-American economist Friedrich List back in the early 19th century. It was List's model that was responsible for the post-Revolutionary succcess of the US, for the rapid industrialization of Germany in the late 19th century, and for Japan's economic success post-WWII. And it's no coincidence that the video producers fail to make any mention of List. The agenda they choose to push instead is a globalist, one-world government under the rule of an unaccountable banking elite. Just look at who paid for the video in the credits at the end if you need any proof. Watch this video if you want to familiarize yourself with the banking elite's manner and style of propaganda.
Rating: 
Summary: Cursory, Introductory, Quickly Drawn Conclusions...
Review: This 3-part series is an ambitious attempt to chart the struggle between major economical ideas that have animated state-level policies for about 100 years. The Bolshevik Revolution, planned economy, Depression, war economies, Keynes, The Austrian School and later The Chicago School (Hayek, respectively Friedman), Thatcher and Reagan, Clinton and globalization are some of the characters/doctrines/ideologies marking the storyline. For a more than adequate presentation, check out the PBS website and run a search for Commanding Heights (pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/). The style is highly journalistic, several video-inserts seem to come straight from some newscast, the rhythm is alert, and content is highly edited. Should you be in for an entertaining and guided journey through so much material and hot topics this may well become your favorite crash course in how market economy (and global trade) are the logical conclusions of history--Fukuyama's End of History cannot be afar. However, to achieve more one either knows a great deal apriori (history of economic ideas, contemporary and modern history and politics, etc.) or considers this material only as an open challenge and, for example, follows the Internet pointers scattered throughout the material. Knowing already about the covered topics reduces the value of this series to that of matching faces--provided that one doesn't get overly irritated by the patronizing editing or by the factual shortcuts.
Rating: 
Summary: Economic comparison in historical terms
Review: This documentary is meant to put the major economic doctrines and ideologies of the 20th century within their historic contexts. In this it succeeds beautifully.
The Keynsian revolution in the West and the rise of Socialism in the East followed by the rise of the Austrian school and the Friedmanite refutation of Keynesian thought and finally a reappraisal of Post-Keynesian doctrine. This was the reality of the 20th century and this documentary gives a good overview.
This documentary is not a critique of those doctrines, merely an analysis. If you have even a cursory interest in economics and how theory moves into the real world, this is definitely for you.
If, however, you have an axe to grind (left or right) this will not satisfy your needs as it only gives the facts as they presented themselves within their times.
I state again, if you want a philosophical dissection and/or a critical theoretical analysis of Capitalism or Socialism (and the theoretical underpinnings of each) then this is NOT the place to look. This is an analysis of 20th century Capitalism and to a lesser degree Socialism that works from an acceptance that both doctrines were an historical reality. From this standpoint the documentary does a very good job of laying out the historical data as it happened.
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