Africa's Great Civilizations (2017) User Reviews

Showing and telling

[paul2001sw-1 · 7/10 · 21 July 2018]

It's interesting to compare 'Africa's Great Civilizations' with the recent BBC documentary 'Civilisations'. Apart from the difference in spelling, and the exclusive focus on Africa in Henry Gates' series, the central noun is interpreted in different ways: the BBC programme focused almost entirely on art, while Gates views civilisation more broadly. The program is thus somewhat lower brow, but it is a tremendously informative overview of African history (and cultural acheivements), often overlooked in global histories. Its biggest weakness lies in Gates' keenness to make the point that it should not be so overlooked: in its repeated claims of African greatness, it violates the rule of "show not tell". The concluding elision of the 20th century, dealt with in two sentences of cliche, is also strange. Still, I learnt a great deal watching the series, which essentially justifies the point Gates tries so hard to make.

Wonderful series that updates his 'Wonders of Africa'

[buckneb-88915 · 10/10 · 18 March 2017]

As an educator, I am bias towards the truth debunking myths and politically motivated 'fake history'. This series does just that by erasing age old stereotypes and false beliefs.

Dr. Gates is a wonderful storyteller. His African history narrative is flows from the earliest man to the effects of colonialism on Africa today. The story is sad, but beautiful. It is one that is more diverse than the story of any other continent on earth so of course the six hours is the abridged version. A perfect introduction that creates more questions in the curious mind than it answers.

The series explores all parts of Afica, but the one thing that stood out to me is how he continually returns to Ethiopia. Dr. Gates does not hide his emotional attachment to the magical grace of these dignified people and the wonders that they have created. From the earliest man to their ancient Christian people,the story of Ethiopia becomes the centerpiece that much of the world's current civilizations can relate to. The pride garnered as European imperialism was repelled and the story of unity today will give hope to the even most disheartened from today's political climate.

Well done once again, and I thank you Dr. Gates for making yet another fine documentary, thus helping to educate my students.

a must watch

[djcatsgc · 10/10 · 13 July 2018]

For a lot of years I have heard a little , in drips and draps, of the story of Africa. When I started to watch this series I thought " oh not again a white wash ".. Oh no this is a proper history , a lot I already new, but the way it was pulled together made so much sense, made the history clear and conciseness. Slavery : The true story Colonialism : what I did not know Ethiopia : God bless them for any person who likes truth ...watch this

This is a must watch for a start to your African education

[mashadowellonline · 10/10 · 3 March 2021]

This was a well made documentary series. I deeply enjoyed how organized it was. I loved that it gave names, dates, countries in Africa for me to pause and then look up. I love how HLG narrated the project with equally passionate scientists, researchers, theologians from around the world. The entire project really is needed; especially as an American of African descent. We've unfortunately been so white washed that we sometimes forget that we come from something better than any other continent in the world... Africa. It's a must watch! I feel that it's best to watch this as young as you can; so afterwards you can do your own research. Knowing this information about Africa will literally make you unstoppable!!!

Berber rifles?

[kandresen-20834 · 5/10 · 24 July 2018]

Did the Berbers really have rifles in the eleventh as depicted in episode 3 showing them charging across the desert on horseback?

Interesting history , albeit avoiding ?

[jefadlm-1 · 4/10 · 16 January 2022]

Christianity and Islam which due to early marital and child birth integration both grew out of the Canaanites as related in the Old Testament !

The so called Old Testament so called as it pre dated those later religions which in this well presented documentary , attempts to ignore and possibly even re write SOME of that ancient history for its own attempts to advance SOME questionable theories . Yes, Henry Louis Gates Jnr. Does make a reference to Jerusalem and the Old Testament ! The Ark of the Covenant and its relevance mentioned , does not explain as I say above , or as being descended from King David and referred to as mythical , in other words an unexplained unacceptable truth , is considered an insult to the ancient Jewish Canaanites , someone is attempting to re write numerous truths , for their own advancement ! ?