Secrets of Her Majesty's Secret Service

Gr 8 Up—Both of these programs give viewers behind-the-scenes glimpses into some of the most hallowed icons of British culture. Her Majesty's Secret Service is an intriguing look at the development of MI6, the world's oldest spy agency. It details the evolution of the service through stories of notorious spies and the innovative spycraft that helped give the service its stellar reputation. Former agents speak about intriguing details of their work and some of the close calls they experienced avoiding ugly international incidents. Similarly, Westminster peeks into the cloistered world of Westminster Abbey. Experts reveal symbols featured in intricate carvings, paintings, and tile work throughout the church and explain their meanings, which are steeped in mythology and beliefs from as far back as the Middle Ages. Viewers are treated to interior views from the upper floors and secret rooms not accessible to the public. The church's historically close connection to the royal family is explained, but students will most likely think of it as the venue for the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Both DVDs will likely be popular in public libraries, driven by interest from Anglophiles and history buffs. However, their application in the classroom will be quite limited, as the full hour of details on these very specific pieces of British culture will be hard to justify as support for curriculum.—Tara Hixon, Piedmont High School, OK