To be sure, I am a student of literature and a fan of Mark Twain, but I had no idea, none whatsoever (!), of what a rich and inspiring life he lived. He was a comic genius as well as a man devastated by continual heartbreak. I have always known PBS to do a wonderful job with their specials, and I have admired Ken Burns since the day I first discovered his work on the women's movement i.e. the Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton story (highly recommended as well!)... but in their retelling of Mark Twain's life, these two forces have outdone themselves.

Be transported back to prehistoric times in Dinosaurs Unearthed, a fascinating look at two groundbreaking dinosaur discoveries. In Dino Autopsy, leading paleontologists unlock the mysteries behind one of the most complete dinosaur mummies ever discovered. This rare specimen—fossilized with skin and tissue intact—is bringing us closer than ever to understanding how dinosaurs lived, looked, and moved.

Inside Mecca presents the most intimate and three-dimensional documentation of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and sheds light on the universal principles of Islam during the days of the Hajj. Learn the historical significance of the city to Muslim and non-Muslim populations alike. And, experience the epic journey of a lifetime, the Hajj, as we witness the personal stories of the pilgrims and the mental preparation, physical strain and spiritual ecstasy they encounter on their life-altering pilgrimage of faith.

They lived for 150 million years but, as big a force as pterosaurs were in the history of life, they have largely remained a mystery to scientists. Now, with the help of amazing special effects and engineering, learn about remarkable new discoveries that have shed light on the lives of these creatures. Witness as a team of engineers reconstruct and fly a mechanized pterosaur to illustrate how an animal that large could have ever flown. Journey back in time as National Geographic recreates the prehistoric world of these winged giants through animation and cutting-edge CGI for a glimpse into the life and death of these fascinating creatures.

They're the scenes that take our breath away - the shots that keep us spellbound - real moments of extraordinary danger - amazingly, captured on film. Welcome to National Geographic's Most Dangerous Moments. From an elephant on the rampage and a tornadothat levels a town to big blow-ups and mind-blowing rituals, witness staggering moments where life hangs in the balance. So hold on tight, as we bring you some of the most hair-raising moments ever captured on film.

This bundle allows you access to the entire library of video curriculum originally designed for the Mastering Maya: The Fundamentals Online Class. This bundle allows you to get your hands on these incredible videos without having to deal with the time constraints and scheduling of the actual online class. Learn at your own pace as we guide you step-by-step through the process of growing from a Maya beginner into a true Maya master! Within these discs you will find over eighty two hours of the finest introductory Maya training ever compiled. Whether you are a complete stranger to the world of Maya, are self-taught, or have already received formal education, prepare to receive a training experience unlike anything you've ever seen, and a level of self-confidence you would have never thought possible! Immerse yourself in nearly 400 videos, covering topics ranging from introductions to 3D space, to modeling, animation, lighting, rendering, scripting, and so much more! As you progress through three highly varied and intensive projects, each focusing on different areas of the program, and carefully designed to bring your skills to a professional level in a smooth, flowing manner. Virtually every aspect of the program is explained and made clear, keeping the beginner skill set in mind.