Silver Spring, MD — Bringing the history of scientific progress in Britain to vivid life, Genius of Britain: The Scientists Who Changed the World debuts on DVD from Athena on May 31, 2011. Presented by an array of distinguished thinkers and broadcast on the U.K’s Channel 4 in May 2010 and available to U.S. audiences for the first time with its DVD release, this five-part series offers an enthralling look at the personalities behind some of the world’s greatest discoveries – from the invention of the steam engine to the discovery of DNA. The DVD 3-vol. boxed set features appearances by leading contemporary figures including Stephen Hawking, David Attenborough, Richard Dawkins and James Dyson, and includes a full-length bonus program: Stephen Hawking and the Theory of Everything (90 min.), and much more (5 episodes, $59.99, www.AthenaLearning.com).

Charismatic men of action and reclusive eccentrics. Eureka moments and serendipitous strokes of luck. Discoveries born of crisis and insatiable curiosity. The history of scientific progress in Britain offers an astonishing breadth of personalities and has had an awe-inspiring effect on civilization.

Each episode in this five-part series brings an era of scientific thought to vivid life, with modern-day geniuses examining the legacies of their heroes. Stephen Hawking takes on Isaac Newton, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins discusses Alfred Russel Wallace, acclaimed naturalist David Attenborough profiles Joseph Banks, and many more. Also in the mix: industrial designer James Dyson, Nobel Prize-winning geneticist Paul Nurse, and others.

Along the way, learn intriguing facts about famous scientists and discover unheralded people whose revelations have changed the way we live today, paving the path for everything from the steam engine to current thinking about the atom and evolution.

Episodes: The First Five, A Roomful of Brilliant Minds, The Lights Come On, Out of the Darkness , Asking Big Questions

BONUS FEATURES:

• Bonus disc, Stephen Hawking and the Theory of Everything (90 min.), about the search for an explanation of the universe (*Released as DVD Single by Acorn Media in March 2009 at $24.99.)
• 12-page viewer’s guide with articles on myths and science, lesser-known geniuses, the Royal Society, the steady state theory, and a gallery of evolutionary specimens
• Biographies of the presenters, plus a timeline of British scientific advances, article on Rosalind Franklin, and more at AthenaLearning.com

Athena releases provide an authoritative and entertaining learning experience through high quality, informative, non-fiction programming. Athena’s releases include Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth, Cosmos-A Beginners Guide, The Genius of Design, Discovering Hamlet, Playing Shakespeare, The Story of Math, World War I in Color, and acclaimed programs from Bill Moyers and Mike Wallace. Clips are available at www.athenalearning.com. Athena’s DVD sets are available from select retailers, catalog companies, and direct from Acorn at (888) 870-8047 or www.acornonline.com.