Life After People is a special feature from the History Channel that asks the question, “what would happen to planet earth if the human race were to suddenly disappear forever?” From the ruins of ancient civilizations to present day cities devastated by natural disasters, history gives us clues to this question and many more in the visually stunning and thought-provoking special.

Recently released on DVD, Life After People was the most watched show ever to air on the History Channel, with more than 5 million viewers. We liked Life After People for lots of reasons, including its close resemblance to our January Book of the Month, “The World Without Us.”

Starting with the creepy idea that some day people might cease to exist, Life After People asks scientists and others to speculate on what the earth, animal life and plant life might be like if humanity no longer existed, as well as the effect humanity’s disappearance would have on the artificial aspects of civilization. Speculation is based upon documented results of the sudden removal of humans from an area and the possible results which would occur should humanity discontinue its maintenance of buildings and urban infrastructure. The hypotheses are illustrated with CGI dramatizations, depicting the possible fate of such icons as the Empire State Building, Buckingham Palace, Sears Tower, the Space Needle, the Golden Gate Bridge and the Eiffel Tower.

Educational television never seemed so thrilling! Give yourself the shivers and check out this fantastic piece of entertainment. Life After People can be purchased at its mini-site, or borrowed on Netflix or Blockbuster.