Alexander I, the Tsar who Defeated Napoleon by Marie-Pierre Rey (nonfiction)

Not suitable for casual readers, but essential for people excited about the history of tsarist Russia.  The author really digs deep in the sources, and in the process I was enlightened about Alexander himself, Russia, and Europe of the time.

Troy: Ancient Myths and Unsolved Mysteries (DVD) by National Geographic

Fairly entertaining, with interesting footage of early archaeological digs.  As with many of these programs, I find the "recreations" to be distracting and somewhat silly.  The story would have profited from more scenes at the dig itself, showing the various pieces of evidence that lead historians to believe we are digging at the real Troy.

Sacred Treason by James Forrester (historical fiction)

So much has been written about this period because of the great upheavals, but I haven't gotten tired of Tudor adventures yet, especially when books as good as this make it real.  This one has a Catholic protagonist and point of view, and quite a bit of bloody action.

The First Empires - The Story of Civilization (Egyptian and Greek) DVD

This Kultur DVD is part of a series, and I've seen some of the other videos.  I'd say they're good for a teen interested in this kind of stuff.  Lots of footage of ancient sites.

A Place Called Armageddon - Constantinople 1453 by C.C. Humphreys (hisfic)

If you like a good novel, pick this one up.  How Constantinople became Istanbul is a twisty, violent, scary, fun and beautiful story told from several different points of view.  The topography of the city and the "real people" are seamlessly woven into the action, not an easy feat in historical fiction.

Joseph K. Mankiewicz' Cleopatra starring Elizabeth Taylor (DVD)

It's always neat to see what artists do with ancient history.  In this case, the costumes and art direction both won Academy Awards, although they're the elements of the movie that are the least "real." They're certainly beautiful, but I didn't really get the major chemistry that was supposed to have developed between Taylor and Burton during filming.  While many of the elements of the story were historically accurate, I thought that including Cleo and Antony's children in the story might have helped explain why they felt eternally connected.  In my opinion, the passion between them isn't convincing in the movie.

The Hunger Fix by Pam Peeke, MD (nonfiction)

Despite malapropisms, repetition and over-capitalization, some valuable nuggets.  I have suffered from binge eating problems, and although I will not follow the program to the letter, several aspects spoke to me, especially advice on how to re-train your brain.  I have implemented them in my daily life.

Roman Passions - A History of Pleasure in Imperial Rome by Ray Laurence (nonfiction)

This book is recent, was great.  Would be a good read even for people who are not Roman-crazy.  I've studied the early Imperial period for 20 years and I was tickled and fascinated by the analysis in this book.  Very good section on the pleasure the Romans took in violence.

Elizabeth (History Channel DVD)

Unfortunately, another program ruined by the narrator.  Much of the narration is set in the actual Privy Council, castles and manor homes, and the Tower Green, which is a great idea that helps draw the viewer into Elizabeth's world, but the narrator himself is over-dramatic and too much in evidence.

In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great (PBS DVD)

Four episodes long, this DVD had hits and misses.  The beauty of the rugged terrain and the local music used in the production were some of the hits, as well as the sense of fun and wonder that the host injected into ancient history.  On the other hand, the host Michael Wood could be too talkative.  Perhaps other historians and experts could have taken the edge off.

Lamb - The Gospel according to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore (fiction)

Kinda fun, funny in parts, stupid in parts, this book is a fictional attempt to fill in the gaps in Christ's life in the Gospel.  It was good enough to keep me reading, but many of the comedic sequences went on just a little too long.