Professor Michael Wood - Extended Interview

In this extended interview with film-maker, historian, writer and broadcaster Michel Wood, Viral History's Paul Bradshaw talks to Michael about his fascination with the Anglo-Saxons (in particular Alfred the Great), The Norman Conquest, his extraordinary meeting with Bernard Montgomery and Clement Atlee whilst still a school-boy, his enduring obsession with Shakespeare and other historical topics of interest.

[@angellacanfora]

His eloquence, his passion, his deep knowledge...I could listen to him forever.

[@ViralHistory]

We heartily agree. The most articulate and passionate of public historians.

[@MrTorleon]

Michael Wood, quietly spoken, unassuming and modest, but he is one of our great historians and science communicators, a brilliant academic and hugely influential in how we view and understand our past. Thank you very much for posting this wonderful interview.

[@happy_camper]

I have so much respect for this man. It's great to hear him talk.. on any topic!

[@parvezabbasi2091]

I remember watching Michael Wood's "In Search of the Trojan War" series during the early 1990s. The program inculcated a lifelong love of history. Truly a great storyteller and a first rate historian!

[@ViralHistory]

I remember it well. He was the real Indiana Jones, travelling the globe in search of these mythical stories and characters from history.

[@crbranca06]

That´s my favorite of his documentaries. I have it on DVD and watch it once or twice a year. It takes me back. Love this guy.

[@carlhacker6852]

I hear you, that was one of the best series I have ever seen and introdcution to Wood, great storyteller and writer....

[@Gwynarra2]

Agreed, it brought the time period alive for me.

[@monaj2971]

This is why I admire Michael Wood so much and have watched all of his videos multiple times. His obvious passion for history comes through in every single video. He inspires you to want to know more, and more.

[@markfarron7018]

He's great. So knowledgeable but also humble and comes across as deeply sincere.

[@Sam-cz2bz]

He is one of the few unbiased historians who tells us what actually happened. He is quite honest about the facts and seems well balanced. His narrative style is very pleasant to hear.

[@jpkatz1435]

The depth of his knowledge and loving humanity is an inspiration!

[@ViralHistory]

We couldn’t agree more!

[@igolfjtweetler4097]

Greatest tv historian

[@ViralHistory]

Agreed!

[@Justificus]

Michael's optimistic enthusiasm and warmth that permeates his speech and film presentations is a heartfelt invitation for everyone to share his love of history. His classical education in early English, Latin, and Greek languages makes it possible for him to directly relate historical texts in modern day terms that resonate for us today. His love for the cultural contributions of India and China gives his work a broader and more universal perspective of western civilization.

[@kerimsultanov8491]

One of the greatest historians, who I do like and respect most of all. I do remember from 1990s-2000 when I was watching his documentaries here, broadcasting on our local channels in Baku Vast, big and profound knowledges of history, his eloquence and patience is incredible. All his documentaries are the guidance for those who want to get information in various spheres of history of Britain, England as well as the whole world Seeing such kind of people as Mr.Michael Wood is, one wants them to live longer and longer and to watch their documentaries in order to get more knowledge Deep respect to Mr.Wood and his audience

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

Michael Wood is a good man. Well done for having him on - just subscribed. Greetings from Greece!

[@megumirogers8004]

i perfectly agree with his attitude of Shakespeare! his sophisticated sense is beyond the knowledge. he is not only historian,but also he, himself is an artist,poet!! great indeed to know him,in spite i am not English speaking,living in Vienna.

[@sunilkumarkarintha8469]

Amazing communicator.

[@ViralHistory]

Isn’t he brilliant!

[@sunilkumarkarintha8469]

Viral History Yes. although am amazed by his articulation,I preferred to not to use adjectives on this great men's skills.

[@sinslang890]

The man who got me interested in history

[@jmccallion2394]

That he had such an influence on my early secondary education was a great gift; especially His In Search of... series A unique and timeless experience of what history is and what it should mean! The time he was given a KCB or enoblement!!!!

[@kevinoneil56]

Thanks, Michael Wood, you're a gentleman.

[@ViralHistory]

Thanks for watching!

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

Michael Wood is my favourite historical documentary presenter by far - and I have more than a few. A true master of his craft, and a first-class gent.

[@ViralHistory]

We agree totally! Total gentleman and a superb historian down to his fingertips!

[@discount8508]

michael wood gives history value and meaning .........and dont you forget it

[@2222isabella]

Such a brilliant mind !!!

[@jonathanwhite460]

Great teacher,he paints a picture of the past i can understand and relate to.

[@Cromwellp]

I've admired Michael Wood's work since I first saw his series 'In Search of the Dark Ages' back in the early 1980's. I actually became interested in the Anglo-Saxons thanks to Michael Wood. A enjoyable interview with one of our greatest historians.

[@ViralHistory]

Thanks for watching John. Michael has also been a big influence on me, His Alexander the Great BBC series was a fantastic introduction to that figure back in the day.

[@Cromwellp]

Another good series. I remember it well. It's something that probably couldn't be made in the same way now due to the risks of filming in certain parts of the Middle East.

[@joshuamacleod2729]

Same here! Michael Wood makes history fascinating, and I also have been hooked on Anglo Saxon England ever since watching his Dark Ages documentaries.

[@willjones7731]

Fascinating. Articulate, erudite, engaging. And spot on about Alfred the Great and Shakespeare deniers. Anyone who hasn’t yet - catch up on In Search of Dark Ages docs : superb!

[@yvonnemason9137]

He is my historian hero and a real inspiration in my own journey as a historian.

[@elirien4264]

I have loved MW's films and documentaries for years, I truly believe he is partly why I love studying history so much.

[@ViralHistory]

Isn’t he brilliant? A truly great advocate for public history.

[@sivanlevi3867]

I love this man. I discover more in his films than anything in the academic world.

[@ViralHistory]

Yes he’s incredibly inspirational.

[@eleveneleven572]

History does define you and give you perspective into who you are. I followed Wood through his Anglo Saxon documentaries. Later I bought his book on Shakespeare. In that in found the origin of sayings my parents had that came down from rural Warwickshire despite them being born in Birmingham. Then research into my parents ancestry discovered my fathers origins in Catholic Brailes, south of Stratford, in the Feldon. My mothers father came from a Wiltshire family that owned a wool felting mill near Bradford on Avon. Those discoveries completely opened up Woods TV series on Shakespeare...the poverty, hardship, fear, religious persecution and the wool trade. It felt personal and gave life to my own ancestors.

[@epicarchaeology7437]

Michael Wood is brilliant.

[@Frankowillo]

Thank you for this video, I almost missed it. I've watched all of Michael Wood's documentaries, just wish there were more of them. Michael Wood, John Romer and Lucy Worsley, my 3 favourite documentary historians.

[@Phorquieu]

Such a meaningful and vital conversation! Thank you for posting and preserving this discussion!

[@patch1415]

Made some of the best tv history series.

[@ViralHistory]

Indeed he has! In search of the Trojan War and Alexander the Great were seminal TV history documentaries! Such a pleasure to meet him.

[@godders7594]

For the first 20 or so years of my life History was dead to me, then i saw Michael Wood's 'in search of Athelstan' and I have never looked back.

[@ViralHistory]

He's a fantastic figure to us too!

[@underdawg2743]

Absolutely loved Michael's 'In search of Alexander The Great' BBC documentary back in 1998 and bought the book soon after. I've recently bought the DVD again. I live in Manchester now and would love to interview Michael 1 day!

[@ViralHistory]

I remember that series well, it certainly lit a flame in my own passion for history! Michael is certainly a key figure in my own interest in public history. Thank you for watching and commenting on our content. Paul

[@kenshinuesugi3614]

Michael Wood's magnum opus, The History of China is my favourite

[@patrickwentz8413]

Fantastic. Need more like him.

[@mark-j-adderley]

Bravo; hear, hear.

[@ViralHistory]

Thanks for watching Mark!

[@terry_robinson]

Thank you for posting.

[@ViralHistory]

Hey thanks so much for watching & subscribing Terry.

[@lazyhazeldaisy9596]

If you do not study History you can not learn by mistakes that have been made and will be repeated at a cost to us all.

[@surojitbhattacharjee9789]

Great works, Thanks for his work , great work for INDIA, CHINA & ENGLAND knoldew of history great valuable work. Thanks .

[@si4632]

GENIUS

[@elizabethford7263]

In Search of the Dark Ages directly led to my ABD in Archaeology

[@kidsphone5660]

Michael"you know" wood the great man

[@kimandrews6106]

His 1970's documentaries need to have attention to improve the sound, as it needs the improvement of current technology.

[@owl6218]

they may not have been as humane as we would wish them to have been, but a determination to lay down the rule of law, is still a great contribution. And, the ability for collective law making, rather than arbitrary royal proclamation

[@kingproudindian]

Love from India

[@lesleyhawes6895]

I am 4 years older than Michael Wood, and for the last 45 years of my life I have been researching and recording my personal family history. I used to be an enthusiast for computers, but progress(?) in computers and the Internet has stolen all my notes and research, so his plea for the importance of history hit a nerve. I was a teacher of history, but now all I can see is money, power and the future being of interest to today's pupils and politicians. I still love history, but fear for its future! Lesley.

[@johnjohnson4628]

I wouldn't be too concerned Lesley. I think there is an innate desire for people to know the truth and how things and people were from the past and of course the present. Today's pupils and politicians will at one stage in their life want to know more about their place in the scheme of things and if some of us want to gild the lily or decry the significance of history, there will ALWAYS be somebody else to shine light on the truth. I also was a history teacher and more than ever I'm heartened by the number of my fellow humans who want to know more about their past, family in particular, but various people and cultures as well.

[@diogenesrodrigo4858]

Santo André, 21 de maio de 2021. Sir Michael David Wood 👑📖✒⌚

[@catherinewilkins2760]

Shame he's not still on the TV.

[@agriculturemachinedanhua3209]

Michael wood is a very Good video maker and Do a very justify opinion in his videos about China.

[@ViralHistory]

Thanks so much for watching. We’re huge fans of Michael here.

[@daniadejonghe4980]

without history, we are adrift.

[@fuferito]

The Shakespeare deniers that Michael Wood here is talking about are featured in the 2001 Michael Rubbo documentary, _Much Ado About Something._ Like all conspiracy documentaries, it ends up being a sketch of the psyche of the individuals interviewed.

[@velvetindigonight]

Bless him. I don't think govt wishes us to know our history for if we do we are appaled by the present............................. Think Peasant's Revolt, The Commonwealth, The Chartist's and the 'devine right of kings'.............. sorting the problems of society is not so hard but dealing with factions invested in the status quo is. If you had 'all the aces' would you give them up?

[@andrewcoady1450]

baked out the gord listen to MW interview. Im sleepy

[@andylyon3867]

Those who are not literate but don't want to admit it to themselves so Shakespeare had not have written so well...in their minds.

[@dindu551]

He's a real scholar with a killer bedside manner.