James Burke
James Burke (born 1936-12-22) is a British science historian, author, and television producer. He has worked in a number of science and technology shows and documentaries including Tomorrow's World, Connections, and The Day the Universe Changed.
Burke was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, attended school at Maidstone Grammar School, served in the RAF from 1957 to 1959 then went to Jesus College, Oxford where he studied Middle English and obtained a B.A. and M.A. From 1961-1966, he lived and taught in Italy at multiple universities. In 1966, he moved to London and joined the Science and Features Department of the BBC and began presenting for Tomorrow's World before getting involved in his own projects.
Contents
Personal
My high school world history teacher showed the class segments from various science and history documentaries including James Burke in Connections. I really loved Burke's presentation style, he's extremely animated and doesn't pull any punches when criticizing established institutions like religion and royalty. The impression he left was strong enough that, about a decade later, I still remembered him and found the series online and watched it in its entirety. I've since watched several other programs of his and read some of his books.
Works
Television
| Title | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tomorrow's World | 1966-1971 | Describes the latest technology. |
| Paid Off | 1967 | Three-part series about employment. |
| Intimate Relations | 1968 | Three-part series about doctor-patient relations. |
| The End of the Beginning | 1972 | The end of the Project Apollo space program. |
| The Burke Special | 1972-1976 | Discussed future technology with an audience. |
| Stump the Scientist | 1974 | Children question a panel of scientists. |
| The Inventing of America | 1976 | NBC/BBC co-production for the U.S. Bicentennial, with Raymond Burr. |
| Scenario: The Oil Game | 1976 | Crisis game examining OPEC. |
| Scenario: The Peace Game | 1977 | Crisis game examining NATO. |
| Connections | 1978 | 10-part series discussing how technology causes unexpected changes. |
| The Men Who Walked on the Moon | 1979 | 10th anniversary review of the flight of Apollo 11. |
| The Other Side of the Moon | 1979 | A critical examination of the Apollo space program. |
| The Real Thing | 1980 | Human perception. |
| The Neuron Suite | 1982 | Human brain. |
| MacGillivray Freeman's Speed | 1984 | As narrator. |
| The Day the Universe Changed | 1985 | Major advancements in science and technology. |
| After the Warming | 1989 | Climate change. |
| Masters of Illusion | 1993 | Renaissance painting. |
| Connections² | 1994 | Updating Connections. |
| Connections³ | 1997 | Expansion of Connections. |
| Re-Connections | 2004 | An interview with Burke looking back on Connections. |
Books
| Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tomorrow's World I | 1970 | With Raymond Baxter. |
| Tomorrow's World II | 1973 | With Raymond Baxter. |
| Connections: Alternative History of Technology | 1978 | Companion to the TV series. |
| The Day the Universe Changed | 1985 | Companion to the TV series. |
| Chances | 1991 | |
| The Axemaker's Gift | 1995 | With Robert Ornstein, illustrated by Ted Dewan. |
| The Pinball Effect: How Renaissance Water Gardens Made the Carburetor Possible and Other Journeys Through Knowledge | 1996 | |
| Circles: Fifty Round Trips Through History Technology Science Culture | 2000 | |
| The Knowledge Web | 2001 | |
| Twin Tracks: The Unexpected Origins of the Modern World | 2003 | |
| American Connections: The Founding Fathers | 2007 |
Media
A younger Burke, c. 1970.
During Connections, c. 1978.
c. 2010.
Links
