The Heiress and Her Chateau: Carolands of California is the 100-year saga of a 100-room mansion, a three-dimensional window into life among America’s elite. Chateau Carolands was built by one of the richest women in the world to be her ultimate dream home, but nothing went as planned. Once the most fabulous house west of the Mississippi, now a foundation, the story of the rise and fall and rise of Chateau Carolands s is a dramatic tale of wealth and ruin, love and loss, art and architecture – with a murder, a porno film, and a couple of earthquakes along the way. It all ends happily, with a multi-million dollar restoration of the Chateau, more grand and glorious now than it ever had been. See how this unique historic architectural masterpiece has come to be preserved for decades to come.

Stephen Hawking's life, including his scientific discoveries, rise to fame and diagnosis of motor neuron disease.

The Journey exhibit showcases 450 years of African-American history in St. Augustine.

Celebrate the rich musical heritage of the Emerald Isles with Celtic Woman as they offer enchanting re-imagined versions of fan favorites from their treasure chest of Celtic songs. This family-friendly, one-of-a-kind interactive concert showcases the group’s sparkling pure voices, bewitching choreography and fairytale charms along with a group of world-class musicians.

Trace the geologic story of our home planet, beginning with its formation four-and-a-half billion years ago and continuing with its evolution to the present. Shot in top geologic hot spots on all seven continents, interspersed with footage of earthquakes and volcanoes from Nepal to Antarctica, this film features a diverse group of leading geologists who reveal the latest thinking about how the Earth works, from the core to the crust and up into the atmosphere. Earth: The Inside Story contrasts Earth's geology with that of other planets in our solar system, dramatically underscoring how unique our planet is, and delves into the unpredictable sequence of geologic and cosmic events that happened before we humans made our appearance on Earth just a few million years ago. Working up to modern times, the film lends scientific perspective to a question people are asking in light of recent news coverage of major earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and extreme weather: Are the Earth's natural systems undergoing a period of intense upheaval?

A growing number of scientists, conservationists and grass-roots environmentalists have come to regard beavers as overlooked tools when it comes to reversing the disastrous effects of global warming and world-wide water shortages. Once valued for their fur or hunted as pests, these industrious rodents are seen in a new light through the eyes of this novel assembly of beaver enthusiasts and “employers” who reveal the ways in which the presence of beavers can transform and revive landscapes. Using their skills as natural builders and brilliant hydro-engineers, beavers are being recruited to accomplish everything from finding water in a bone-dry desert to recharging water tables and coaxing life back into damaged lands.

Colditz Castle, a notorious prisoner of war camp in Nazi Germany, was supposed to be escape-proof. But in the dark days at the end of World War II, a group of British officers dreamt up the ultimate escape plan: in a secret attic workshop, they constructed a two-man glider out of bed sheets and floorboards. Their plan was to fly to freedom from the roof of the castle, but the war ended before they could put it to the test. Now a crack team of aero engineers and carpenters rebuild the glider in the same attic using the same materials, and they’ll do something the prisoners never got a chance to try: use a bathtub full of concrete to catapult the glider off the roof of the castle. As the hair-raising launch 90 feet up draws near, the program explores the Colditz legend and exposes the secrets of other ingenious and audacious escapes. Then, after a 70-year wait, the team finally finds out if the legendary glider plan would have succeeded.

The Work of Art: Artown takes us behind the scenes of Reno’s annual art festival, examining its history and impact. The film highlights diverse groups making a difference within our community: a church helping businesses revitalize a neighborhood, a program utilizing art to improve the quality of life for seniors suffering dementia, Burning Man adding cultural and artistic diversity, and more.

October 14, 2013, was the 70th anniversary of an event that shook the Nazi party to its core. In east Poland, at Sobibor, the remote Nazi death camp, 300 Jewish prisoners staged a bloody break out. This film travels back to Sobibor with the last remaining survivors to reveal their extraordinary story of courage, desperation and determination. The film uses brutally honest drama-reconstruction and first-hand testimony to reveal the incredible escape story.

This film uses LiDAR technology to re-create the landscape of the most meticulously planned operation in military history – a logistical effort on a scale never seen before or since.

From the outside, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are the classic London scene. Go inside the Gothic walls to explore the hidden world of the Houses of Commons and Lords, full of back-stabbing, intrigue, and traditions.

Travel to nine countries and across 1,400 years of cultural history to explore the astonishing artistic and architectural riches of Islam. With the insights and commentary of leading art scholars from around the world, the film delves into the art of religious life in Islamic culture and into the secret world inside the palaces of the elite. From the extraordinary array of metalwork, textiles, paintings and architecture that illuminate the culture, filmmaker Rob Gardner sheds light on the shared histories of western and Islamic societies, revealing more continuity than division. Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon narrates

American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted helped design many well-known urban parks, including New York's Central Park, and designed the public parks and parkway systems in Buffalo, N.Y.

On the surface, London is a buzzing metropolis. But underneath lies secret, hidden worlds, all but forgotten by the millions of people above. These places make up the countless layers of London, and each tells a unique story of the city’s past - successes and failures; victories and tragedies. When the Romans founded settlements along the River Thames during the 1st century AD, they laid down the very first layer of one of the world’s greatest cities. Long buried pieces of the original Roman town still survive to this day – statues, walls, even an entire amphitheatre, where fierce gladiators once fought…and died for glory. London has seen more than its fair share of death over the centuries. The terrible Plague of the 14th century killed more than half of the population in just two years; and the devastating Great Fire of London in 1666 left vast swathes of the city’s timber framed buildings in ashes. These tragic events are forever carved into London’s subterranean landscape – gruesome plague pits filled with thousands of corpses, and eerie mines excavated for the materials to rebuild the city. But the Victorians were the true masters of the underground; from the creation of the first tunnel under a river to the foundation of one of the world’s most iconic public transport systems. While 19th century engineers believed no goal was out of reach, it often meant that the highest price was paid for by workers - many men tragically lost their lives building the wonders of the industrial age. During the German bombing campaign of London during WWII the underground played a role of life or death. Many railway or ‘Tube’ stations were transformed into huge air raid shelters, and top secret bunkers enabled Churchill’s government to fight the war from within the city. The Prime Minister even had a private underground restroom…hidden inside? A direct hotline to the White House! The Underground has always been the perfect place to store p

Two teams of scientists explore the fascinating geologic story of Italy: the continuously erupting volcanoes, the violent earthquakes, the clash of mighty tectonic plates, and the rising of the mountains that produced Michelangelo's famous marble. If they can determine if the northern Apennines are still alive and growing, they might better understand where future earthquakes might strike this highly unstable land.

Part 1: From Warrior to President From 1950 - 1953 Americans were unsettled by the specter of communism and the Korean War so in the Presidential election of 1952 they looked to America's most famous war hero, General Dwight Eisenhower to secure the U.S. against communism and the Soviet menace. The first hour chronicles Eisenhower's fulfillment of his election promise to end the Korean War, after more than 33,000 military deaths. It also follows the grassroots movement to draft Eisenhower as the Republican candidate for president; Eisenhower's decision to leave his powerful position at NATO; his fight for the Republican Party's nomination against "neo-isolationist" Sen. Robert Taft; his campaign against Democrat Adlai Stevenson; and finally, his election as the 34th president.

Was Al Capone the quintessential self-made American man, a ruthless killer or both? His name sparks images of pin-stripe suits and bloody violence, but why do Americans continue to be fascinated by this man? We examines Capone’s lasting legacy to determine why. From his early days rising through the ranks of New York’s gangs, to his slow demise in the aftermath of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Al Capone: Icon chronicles the complicated life of one of America’s favorite mob bosses. The special exposes Capone not only as a bootlegger, killer and gangster, but as the popular public figure who opened one of the nation’s first soup kitchens, fought for expiration dates on milk and wrote love songs to his wife from prison. It’s been more than 80 years since the height of Capone’s power, yet his impact is still felt. In addition to Capone’s history, Al Capone: Icon unveils his unexpected connections to modern-day organized crime, law enforcement, popular culture and even everyday life in Chicago.

Part 2: Building Weapons, Talking Peace From 1953 - 1961, President Eisenhower led the U.S. in a cold war with the Soviet Union - an ideological struggle of democracy versus communism, which teetered on the brink of nuclear annihilation. The second hour recounts President Eisenhower's diplomatic confrontations against the Soviet Union during the early Cold War years, crises prompted by aggressive Kremlin-sponsored action around the world. It also documents his attempts to keep the peace while establishing a clear military superiority for the U.S. During this time, he also faced intense scrutiny domestically, with his political opponents criticizing him for not divulging information about the strength of the U.S. military or the weaknesses of the Soviet Union's nuclear arsenal.

Her Majesty’s Secret Service, or MI6 as it is known, is the world’s most legendary spy agency, thanks to the James Bond stories. The veil is lifted, on the shadowy world of spying, going back in time and behind the scenes to look at some the world’s most calculated and delicately executed operations.

In 1959, Fidel Castro rose to power in Cuba. He has been one of the most controversial figures in the world ever since. This is the story of the Cuban dictator’s turbulent career, told in part through media reports, rare images and recordings.

The story of Noor Inayat Khan, who served as a British spy and wireless operator for four months in Nazi-occupied Paris during WWII. Born in 1914, she was raised as a pacifist in Paris by her father, an Indian spiritual leader, and his American wife. However, after Germany's 1940 invasion, she fled to England and joined its Women's Auxiliary Air Force before being recruited by the SOE, a British espionage unit. She was captured in October 1943; and executed at Dachau a year later.

The original art star, Whistler was a caustic wit and man-about-town. For the first time, a film examines the biography of the man and the course of his career. Best known for his painting popularly called “Whistler’s Mother,” by his death, Whistler was one of the most recognized artists in Europe and is today placed in the first rank of modern painters.

In a story previously untold on film, HRH The Prince of Wales makes a journey through history to celebrate the artistic gene in his family and reveal an extraordinary treasure trove of work by royal hands past and present. Set against the spectacular landscapes of the Royal Estates and containing insights into works by members of the Royal Family down the centuries and The Prince of Wales's own watercolours, ROYAL PAINTBOX explores a colourful palette of intimate family memory and observation.

Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns sits down with OETA's Dick Pryor to discuss his three decades of making documentaries along with his latest film, "The Dust Bowl,' upcoming projects, and the thrill of filming America's history.

Our lives are going digital. We shop, bank, and even date online. Computers hold our treasured photographs, private emails, and all of our personal information. This data is precious—and cybercriminals want it. Now, NOVA goes behind the scenes of the fast-paced world of cryptography to meet the scientists battling to keep our data safe. They are experts in extreme physics, math, and a new field called "ultra-paranoid computing," all working to forge unbreakable codes and build ultra-fast computers. From the sleuths who decoded the world's most advanced cyber weapon to scientists who believe they can store a password in your unconscious brain, NOVA investigates how a new global geek squad is harnessing cutting-edge science—all to stay one step ahead of the hackers.

While the facts of the case are still in dispute, for many the story of Ferguson, Missouri has become a symbol of the larger social divides in America, exposing a persistent disconnect along lines of race, class and identity. Through conversations and special reports, AMERICA AFTER FERGUSON explores these complex questions raised by the events in Ferguson.

The Egypt of the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Valley of the Kings was an empire of indomitable might. Then, around 800 BC, the impossible happened. Kush, a subject kingdom from the south, rose up and conquered Egypt, enthroned its own pharaohs and ruled for nearly 100 years. In RISE OF THE BLACK PHARAOHS, National Geographic explores the mysterious Black Pharaohs—the Nubian kings—whose reign has become legendary among Africans and written off as heresy by early archaeologists who refused to believe that dark-skinned Africans could have risen so high. RISE OF THE BLACK PHARAOHS features exciting new archaeological finds in Sudan that are revealing the truth about the great Kush dynasty. Archeologists Geoff Emberling and Tim Kendell are at the heart of the Kushite revival. Emberling, a National Geographic grantee, is digging his way into a royal pyramid/tomb at a site called El Kurru. He hopes to find the bones of a Kushite king and the treasure he took with him into the afterlife. Emberling is following in the footsteps of famous archeologist George Reisner, who excavated most of the other major Kushite sites, but could never get past his racial myopia and accept that these dark-skinned African people had built such an advanced and powerful society. Not far from El Kurru, archaeologist Tim Kendell has his sights set on a loftier prize. At a mountain called Jebel Barkal, he believes he’s found the key to the rise of the Kush—the underpinning for their belief that they were the true heirs to the spiritual traditions of the great pharaohs like Ramses II and Thutmose III. Both the Egyptians and the Kushites believed Jebel Barkal was home to Amun—Egypt’s supreme god-of-gods. So when the Kushites rose up, they believed they were doing so to put Egypt back on the right religious path—chosen as the true leaders born in the shadow of Amun’s mountain. Shot in HD in Sudan and Egypt, RISE OF THE BLACK PHARAOHS uses drones to capture the archaeo

For more than 500 years, Inveraray Castle has housed the chieftain of one of the world’s best-known family clans, the Clan Campbell. It is now the home to the 13th Duke of Argyll, His Grace Torquhil Ian Campbell, and his young family. Visited by thousands every year, the castle was the stand-in for “Duneagle” in the “Downton Abbey” Christmas episode.

Tour the interior of the fabulous Dumfries House, an architectural gem that boasts one of the largest collections of Chippendale furniture in the world. This once-neglected mansion was dramatically brought back to life and saved for the nation by HRH The Prince of Wales.

The 70-room Kincardine Castle is home to only two people, Andrew and Nicky Bradford. In a little over a century, the castle and its surrounding 3,000-acre estate have gone from being a trifling extravagance for its fabulously rich owners to presenting a passionate but ongoing struggle to keep it afloat for its present-day occupants.

Uncover myths and legends of mysterious Rosslyn Chapel, where part of The Di Vinci Code was filmed. Many believe it to be home to the Holy Grail, the skull of St. Matthew or John the Baptist or even of Jesus Christ. The program seeks answers and makes breathtaking discoveries.

NAVY SEALs--THEIR UNTOLD STORY details their fascinating transformation and the people who made this story happen. Discover how these clandestine commandoes morphed with evolving threats from Hitler to bin Laden. The Navy's first special warfare units date back to World War II, and, without them, much of U.S. and world history would have been written differently, from the beaches of Normandy to the Pacific theater, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Through firsthand accounts and never-before-seen footage, this unprecedented documentary recounts many of the ticking-clock missions of the "Commandoes of the Deep."

Hitmakers is an up-close look at the music industry's resilience in the digital age, from the perspective of groundbreaking artists, music label mavericks and game-changing managers. These crucial players have shaped the music business over the past 100 years, changing pop culture in the process. Today's artists challenge the paradigm further, taking control of their careers and sometimes shucking the system altogether to record and release music on their own. Record labels large and small also have found they must innovate to thrive. Entertaining and thoughtful, HITMAKERS boasts an unforgettable soundtrack. The special features interviews and performances from notable artists such as Melissa Etheridge, The Roots' Questlove, Sharon Jones, rising DJ/producer Steve Aoki and many more.

Billions of kilometers from Earth, a spacecraft the size of a car traveled towards an icy rock 2.5 miles across hurtling through space at tens of kilometers per second. It has been in space for ten years, but on Nov. 12, 2014 it did something no other spacecraft had ever attempted — orbit and land on a comet.

Richard Pryor: ICON explores how Pryor transformed from a straight-laced comedian to one of the most controversial and thought-provoking acts of his time. Sex, drugs, race--nothing was off-limits to Pryor. By changing his routine, Pryor changed comedy forever. He opened the door for other comedians to inject social commentary and other once-verboten topics into their humor. From his troubled upbringing in the slums of Peoria, Illinois to his brave battle against multiple sclerosis, examine the roller-coaster life and times of this comedic trailblazer. Though he was one of the most successful and influential entertainers of his generation, Pryor also wrestled with drug addiction and the lingering effects of being raised in a brothel by abusive parents. Featuring interviews with close personal friends and comedians he influenced, including Tracy Morgan and George Lopez, this film defines Richard Pryor's lasting impact on comedy and culture, often in his own words, showing us why he is an American icon.

Twenty years ago, a young American hiker named Chris McCandless, the accomplished son of successful middle class parents, was found dead in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan wilderness and became the subject of the best-selling book and movie “Into the Wild.” Now, PBS retraces Chris McCandless’ steps to try to piece together why he severed all ties with his past, burnt or gave away all his money, changed his name and headed into the Denali Wilderness. McCandless' own letters, released for the first time, as well as new and surprising interviews, probe the mystery that still lies at the heart of a story that has become part of the American literary canon and compels so many to this day.

Emmy and Tony Award-winner Kristin Chenoweth brings it home — to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, that is — to perform music from her career. With a classically trained voice set off by a gift for acting and comedy, Chenoweth appears at a state-of-the-art theater that now bears her name, performing Broadway, television and film songs like “Popular” and “For Good” from Wicked, songs from her acclaimed performances on “Glee” and beloved music from Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and many more. Backed by a 13-piece orchestra led by musical director Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Chenoweth welcomes song and dance friends from Broadway in a program sure to be unforgettable.

Travel across Europe for a delightful sampling of some of the most dramatic and fascinating railway journeys in the world. From the frozen wastes of Norway to the sunny shores of the Italian Adriatic coast, host Julian Davison guides viewers through breathtaking scenery, providing cultural and historical insights along the way.

Hear the heartwarming true story of Colonel Gail “Hal” Halvorsen, the American pilot who brought joy to children living in the rubble of post-war Germany by dropping treats from his plane during the Berlin Airlift in 1948.

Combative, provocative and searingly blunt, Admiral Hyman G. Rickover was a flamboyant maverick, a unique American hero. When few thought it possible, then-Captain Rickover undertook to harness the power of the atom to drive the first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, whose trip under the polar ice pack was one of the great adventure stories of the 1950s. Later, Rickover built the world's first commercial nuclear power plant at Shippingport, PA. Rickover's achievements made him into a national celebrity, and he appeared on the cover of Time magazine. Many questioned Rickover's goal of an all nuclear navy, and others questioned his creation of a technocratic elite, his own navy within the Navy. However, few contested that he had transformed the Navy and changed the course of America's technological development.

Host Lucy Worsley gets into bed with Britain’s past monarchs to uncover the secrets and history of the royal bedchamber. She explores the royal bedchamber's role in the public sphere.