Great Britons: Isambard Kingdom Brunel Hosted by Jeremy Clarkson
Added 2025-03-05 17:40:25 +0000 UTChttps://youtu.be/QwHnVH9jWmU?si=bCGnQwQy5uSC-j-N
Comments
Great reaction please do more Documentarys 🙏
Dango247
2025-04-09 21:56:45 +0000 UTCOh by the way, Sir Marc Isambard Brunel (note no Kingdom here), Submitted a design for the Capitol Building in Washington DC. They turned it down. But your finished building is almost identical to the current Capitol building except the dome, which is a copy of one of Marc's designs anyway. In 1796, after taking American citizenship, Marc Brunel was appointed chief engineer of the city of New York. Marc's father was a Royalist in France during Napoleon's rise. Hence his son Marc's exile in Britain. The mother of Isambard KINGDOM Brunel, Sophia Kingdom had been sent to France to improve her knowledge of the French language. Here she met Marc and young Isambard Kingdom (born 1806) was the result. She was arrested as an English spy and awaited execution by Guillotine during the Reign of Terror. She was saved by the fall of Robespierre in June 1794. Sophia's sister, Elizabeth Kingdom (1761–1856), married Thomas (1760–1843) the son of Thomas Mudge, the inventor of the lever clock mechanism (1754) which solved the longitude problem of Sea Navigation. First used 1869. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lever_escapement
Eric Tull
2025-03-10 09:16:02 +0000 UTCI try to avoid using the term "Brit", because I've always thought of it as a rather dismissive colloquialism that Americans use to reinforce their sense of exceptionalism. Some cursory research suggests that it does indeed originate in the USA and was a derogatory slang term too, possibly popularised in coverage of the Boer War, as in 1901's: " ‘the Brit is at his old game : let us give him time, and smash him [...] as we did at Magersfonteiname." These days, it seems to have been accepted by most of us too, but I still think of myself as "British" and us as Britons, because the feeling we're being put down every time an American says it still irks me slightly.
Eddy
2025-03-07 12:28:48 +0000 UTCWe are either Brits, British or Britons. Take your pick. Britons, as a term, has been around for 2,000 years. People don’t much refer to themselves as Britons today, but it’s still not exactly rare to hear it or read it in the media.
Thomas
2025-03-07 07:07:36 +0000 UTCWhat an amazing documentary. I loved this video.
Craig Humphries
2025-03-07 06:48:56 +0000 UTCThomas - Don't dictate to me Sonny.
Eric Tull
2025-03-07 06:47:02 +0000 UTCHe isn't WOKE.
Eric Tull
2025-03-07 06:22:09 +0000 UTCFPTP - Stuck with it? Indeed we are, especially when we see what is going to happen to the House of Lords. Oh, and the boiling frog dictatorship has already started with the Council Elections. Enjoy your slavery you won't even know it is happening.
Eric Tull
2025-03-07 06:04:11 +0000 UTCJulien T - Loved Donald Sutherland's monologue in JFK. https://youtu.be/_zSnolpYkCA
Eric Tull
2025-03-07 06:00:05 +0000 UTCEDDY First past the post? No S__t Sherlock! But what exactly do YOU mean by the term RIGHT WING? Do you know where this Left/Right Construct came from? Send me your contact social media address and we'll continue your education elsewhere. https://youtu.be/OshNahVo9-c I take it you know that Churchill was on a private phone link to Roosevelt whilst Chamberlain was still Prime Minister. How do we know? The Germans were monitoring it. They learned of the Allied plan to invade Norway from this. A move that toppled Chamberlain. The Rabbit hole is very deep. I look forward to your continued education. I would make it compulsory for everyone to vote with the added proviso that on every ballet paper is a NO VOTE box to tick. The number of NO VOTES dictates how long the winning Party can hold power. Let them feel your ire -Hold their feet to the fire.
Eric Tull
2025-03-07 05:55:46 +0000 UTCJulian T - Usurped? Yes, a little like the Nazis took over the Weimar Republic in 1933. But then we are talking about the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei ---- National SOCIALIST German WORKERS Party. Oswald Mosley started as a Labour MP you know.
Eric Tull
2025-03-07 05:52:13 +0000 UTCStop having a go at Clarkson then for expressing his grievances.
Eric Tull
2025-03-07 05:44:41 +0000 UTCNever mind the bollocks, I would have voted for Johnny Rotten in the original list of 100. Ironically, the only time I saw the Sex Pistols live was at Brunel University in 1977.
Thomas
2025-03-06 23:16:19 +0000 UTCI like Clarkson and Trump There I said it Enjoy x
Luke Gale9
2025-03-06 22:04:46 +0000 UTCClarksons great because he only appears to work on things he's passionate about. Never understood why people actively dislike him, I've tried working it out and the only reason I can think is he's had probably the best job in the world.
Brendan
2025-03-06 21:23:04 +0000 UTCYeh I don’t think anyone would disagree that we have a poor electoral system, but we’re stuck with it for now. Also, he might want to look up the definition of usurped.
Julian T
2025-03-06 19:11:26 +0000 UTCThat's First Past The Post (FPTP) democracy, Eric! Did you vote for Proportional Representation (PR) when it was put to a referendum in 2011? I did, but it was hugely unpopular across the country, so we're stuck with FPTP. If we had had PR instead of FPTP in the UK since 1945, instead of right-wing governments for 2/3 of that time we'd have had left-wing governments. If you add the votes together for right or left for the 2024 election, you'll find that 55% of the vote was for left-wing parties, but it was split too. As for turnout, maybe we should have a system like Australia's where it is a legal requirement to vote. That might have avoided a situation where only 37% of the eligible electorate - which excluded Britons living abroad and the 16-to-17-year-olds who were so pro-EU they alone would have tipped the balance the other way and were over 18 before we had even left - voted for something as consequential as leaving the EU (i.e. Brexit). In fact, you'll find that it is Brexit that has made family farming unsustainable, not the Labour Party. I think everyone has the right to their own politics, without recourse to name-calling, and that it is always good to listen to alternative opinions, if based on reason.
Eddy
2025-03-06 18:43:10 +0000 UTC“Spreading positivity one reaction at a time”. That’s the declared mission of Mike and Jess on their home page title.
Thomas
2025-03-06 18:40:18 +0000 UTC“Don’t hit me with those negative waves, man” The late Donald Sutherland in Kelly’s Heroes
Julian T
2025-03-06 18:08:06 +0000 UTCThis was a strange place for a political rant. It’s always worth taking a moment and thinking about why you’re typing what you’re typing and whether it’s appropriate. I’ve typed things I’ve regretted in the past, it can happen. Try to self edit to filter out negativity and add positivity where possible. Negativity is contagious, it brings people down. This was a great video, keep it positive.
Julian T
2025-03-06 17:57:00 +0000 UTCIts not something I remember learning too much about in school i remember history mostly being about romans and WW2 I knew he had something to do with railways but that documentary was fascinating needs to be fully taught in schools especially here in the uk
Corey
2025-03-06 16:22:37 +0000 UTCCan you block me please, Eric? Cheers ❤️
Thomas
2025-03-06 16:02:50 +0000 UTCIf you can get a chance to hear the weekly show with Jon Stewart podcast that dropped today, with the Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Tessa on how what is happening in the US happened in her country the Philippines, then I can't recommend it enough. I hope for the best but fear the worst at the moment.
Jason Bonner
2025-03-06 13:30:42 +0000 UTCWhat a great episode, thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Jeremy, love him or hate him, is undeniably enthusiastic and watchable, whatever he does. Agree with the comment above about doing a reaction to the Bible Belt episode of Top Gear at some point. Absolute top telly!!
Dave
2025-03-06 13:25:32 +0000 UTCI remember this series where we, the British public, were tasked by the BS Broadcasting Corporation to vote for the greatest Briton out of 100 nominees. I voted for Brunel. Churchill won it. Princess Diana came third. Brunel came second. Even Aleister Crowley and lead singer of the Sex Pistols was nominated. Even Tony B-Liar, the War Criminal, was nominated. This is how low we've become. Clarkson is hated here, he's outspoken. I love the guy. I have blocked all people who criticise him on here. Don't bother having a go at me, I won't see it. Clarkson is currently campaigning for the beleaguered farmers against the Government here who have usurped power on a voting anomaly. They got 34% of a 60% turnout. the opposition was split. About 1 person in 5 eligible to vote. The lowest voter turnout in British electoral history. They got just over half the total votes of those who voted leave in the referendum and yet had a landslide of Parliament seats. Now we know how dictatorships gain power. I would put Clarkson above any Politician on the BBC list, including Churchill and always Brunel top.
Eric Tull
2025-03-06 10:26:54 +0000 UTCJeremy Clarkson and the Top Gear team driving through the Bible Belt and winding up red necks is top telly, and I don’t even like Top Gear. Perfect for a Jess and Mike reaction.
Thomas
2025-03-05 23:09:42 +0000 UTCWithout getting too far into politics, I think America is soon going to realise that it can't survive without Canada, UK, France and the rest of its allies. No country can survive on its own.
Jay
2025-03-05 23:03:54 +0000 UTCA lot of snooker chat 😂 To be fair it’s a very British sport. It’s popular in China but 60% of professional players are British.
Julian T
2025-03-05 22:28:16 +0000 UTCCalling snooker, pool... Man that's crazy
CONALL MCLAUGHLIN
2025-03-05 22:10:09 +0000 UTCSnooker is what pool would be if it grew up. Twelve foot long table, six feet wide. Watch Ronnie O'Sullivan do a maximum-scoring 147 break in record time, under five minutes.
Alan
2025-03-05 21:31:42 +0000 UTCI think you'd both love all of Guy Martin's programmes
Kieran B
2025-03-05 21:30:21 +0000 UTCI've slept on the SS Great Britain coincidentally, not the best night's sleep but what an experience
Kieran B
2025-03-05 21:29:42 +0000 UTCProbably because the poll was in 2002 so Diana’s death was still relatively recent. Each of the top 10 had their own documentary, so it depends how compelling each one was.
Julian T
2025-03-05 21:25:27 +0000 UTCvery enjoyable reaction, although I dislike Clarkson, his case was very strong.
Dave Roberts
2025-03-05 21:20:07 +0000 UTCInsert David Brent fetch the (Ronnie O’Sullivan fastest 147) meme.
Terrahawk
2025-03-05 20:59:26 +0000 UTCI know, it’s on their browser tabs in this video.
Terrahawk
2025-03-05 20:52:47 +0000 UTCIsaac Newton was 6th!?? He was surely the greatest mind of any of them. And how is Princess Diana even in the running, let alone ahead of Charles Darwin? I find this as shocking as someone describing snooker as 'pool with different coloured balls'.
zenting
2025-03-05 20:41:45 +0000 UTCThere was a steampunk band called The Men That Will Not Be Blamed for Nothing (a Jack the Ripper reference) who did comedy punk songs about mostly Victorian stuff - Brunel was a great one they did (the band was mostly comedians and comedy writers) https://youtu.be/21QqXumEWFU?si=wNyo4_Cwbu7fqilA
Kieran B
2025-03-05 20:19:56 +0000 UTCAn absolute genius. One of the greatest men who ever lived. He was voted 2nd greatest Briton of all time in the poll that this documentary was part of, just behind Winston Churchill. Another great reaction from you both.
White Dwarf
2025-03-05 20:16:10 +0000 UTCGreat words at the end Mike; it’s a shame this Man and his life isn’t touched upon in schools as it could absolutely inspire a generation when they realise just how much he changed the world and opened doors for so many… ultimately making places more accessible using less of your time to get to places. His vision and determination should be admired especially in a world where money is king and can prevent many visions from becoming realised!
Ianoo23
2025-03-05 20:15:38 +0000 UTCSnooker lol
Darren Geoghegan
2025-03-05 20:13:44 +0000 UTCJeremy has a flair for documentarys, and he bought his own farm and has done three series on the ups and downs of running it (when not a farmer). Clarksons farm it's called. Worth a watch
Chris Burns
2025-03-05 20:12:49 +0000 UTCIt's on the list with all the others
Kieran B
2025-03-05 20:10:05 +0000 UTCBrunel is everywhere in the UK, even in the opening credits of The Office 👀!
Thomas
2025-03-05 19:51:27 +0000 UTCI sense a snooker reaction happening in the not to distant future 😋
Rob G
2025-03-05 19:46:31 +0000 UTCI'm still fuming about being called a 'random country' by an idiot that wears Guyliner, after watching this I feel reassured we're anything but. Great pick guys.
Jason Bonner
2025-03-05 19:43:44 +0000 UTCGuess you've never seen a snooker table before. Another sport the yanks will have to learn.
Steven Leicester
2025-03-05 19:43:23 +0000 UTCMike, we need to get you watching a video on Snooker. It’s one of my favourite sports. I’m obsessed with it, I spend an embarrassing number of hours watching it. My hero John Higgins won a tournament last week.
Julian T
2025-03-05 19:43:22 +0000 UTCThis was an enjoyable watch. Jeremy Clarkson is not my favourite person but he’s really good at stuff like this. I think I remember when this series of Greatest Britons when it was first broadcast. It was voted on by the public. Various presenters were advocating for a famous Briton and put their case forward. In the end Brunel came 2nd to Winston Churchill who won by a big margin. I looked it up. This was the final result. 1. Winston Churchill 2. Brunel 3. Princess Diana 4. Charles Darwin 5. William Shakespeare 6. Isaac Newton 7. Queen Elizabeth I 8. John Lennon 9. Admiral Nelson 10. Oliver Cromwell (It started with 100 nominations)
Julian T
2025-03-05 19:37:56 +0000 UTCMike, the game you see @32:22 is not "Pool", but "Snooker". The game consists of 15 Red balls (each worth 1 point) and 6 coloured balls with incrementally higher value (Yellow = 2 points, Green = 3 points, Brown = 4 points, Blue = 5 points. Pink = 6 points, Black = 7 points). A player must first pot a red ball and then designate which colour ball they will go for after. So red, colour, red, colour and so on until all the reds are potted. Then you pot all the colour balls in order of value starting with yellow and ending with Black. A match is contested over a number of "frames" (think sets in tennis). The player with the most frames at the end wins. It's a great game and perhaps worthy of a reaction video all of its own?
BlakeK80DrumCovers
2025-03-05 19:21:59 +0000 UTCReally pleased you're a fan of JC's presenting style. Because he's so objectionable (but also very funny) in other stuff he does, people forget what a terrific documentary maker he was. To see another side of him, check out 'Top Gear" pre 2015 (Long story as to why not after then). xx Oh, and sorry, Forgot my manners... great reaction. You two are the best.
Static CentreHalf
2025-03-05 19:06:41 +0000 UTCIt's not pool. It's 'snooker'.
Steve Small
2025-03-05 19:05:56 +0000 UTCHow uncouth sir, that is not pool but the game of snooker
GeeBee
2025-03-05 18:58:41 +0000 UTCBob Mortimer’s Pet Owl. 👀
Terrahawk
2025-03-05 18:10:01 +0000 UTCI’m in Italy for a week, so will save this for when I get back. Earlier, my wife was so bored with my conversation at the airport that she grabbed my iPad and watched The Office reaction. She loved it and Jess (sorry Mike).
Thomas
2025-03-05 18:01:19 +0000 UTCfunny, i just put on your office reaction, that i'm from swindon, and now you guys did this!! haha. this guy is like the most famous person to come out of swindon!
James West
2025-03-05 17:42:05 +0000 UTC
