Parents' Guide to

Solving History with Olly Steeds

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Charismatic host follows footsteps from the past.

TV Discovery Channel Educational 2010
Solving History with Olly Steeds Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Yeleana
Yeleana Parent of 2-year-old
February 17, 2010
age 17+

This show is for all ages specially for kids with Open mind

I love it. Comming from Russia it teaches me history I don't know, keep it up. Doing a Great job

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Honsvik
Honsvik Adult
January 27, 2010
age 10+

need a new camera stratagy

We like the show and are interested. However the camera angles and quick movement, sudden jolts and zooming in and out is so distracting it's hard to watch the program. It gives us a headache.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In SOLVING HISTORY WITH OLLY STEEDS, independent journalist/adventurer Oliver \"Olly\" Steeds crisscrosses the globe hoping to unravel some of history's most intriguing unsolved mysteries. Using centuries-old folklore, modern archaeological evidence, and high-tech computer graphics, the ever-curious Steeds pieces together clues to attempt to locate elusive finds like lost Nazi treasures, the Ark of the Covenant, and the mythical city of Atlantis.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

If you're striking out on a treasure hunt -- even a virtual one -- a lot rides on the appeal of your guide, and Steeds' enthusiasm, knowledge, and passion for his work makes the journey a real treat for viewers. He leaves no stone unturned in his quest for the truth, and his travels take him all over the world and introduce him to an array of people from little-known cultures. In other words, there's no shortage of educational content here.

But don't be misled by the show's title. Steeds rarely uncovers any definitive evidence to put historical mysteries to bed -- though he does make some new discoveries and interpret existing clues to pose intriguing theories. For teens and adults, Solving History is an exciting, Indiana Jones-like tour of history, but the heady material and potential for confusing and sometimes violent cultural practices ensures that it's not for young kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about cultural diversity in the media. Do you think TV shows and movies give an accurate portrayal of lesser-known cultures and religions? Are certain shows or types of shows better or worse than others about treating differences respectfully?

  • Have you ever noticed any stereotyping in the shows you watch? If so, when? Is stereotyping any less problematic when it's delivered by a representative of the group being singled out? Why or why not?

  • What historical mysteries would you like to see solved? What knowledge do you have of them? How would scientists and researchers work together to get answers?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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