D.H. Lawrence's Short Stories Thread

[Quark]

Now you must all hear of how ridiculous and lame I have been, all this time I have been on Lit Net. I did not know you could hightlight the text, then click on that one icon above - one that looks like text on a yellow page - and it would add the format/code at the beginning and the end, automatically. I have been copying and pasting them for years, from other parts of the text....duh, am I computer sauvy or what? I have found this little discovery has really speeded things up. Better late then never, I suppose.

I was a little slow with that too. I was a little afraid of touching the buttons above because I thought it might zap or alter my post in some irrevocably horrible way. A little option-shy, it probably wasn't until my 100th post before I realized I could do that. I still struggle with some things, though: Like indenting. Can anyone indent? I'd like to have actual paragraphs instead of these spaced out blocks of text.

Yes, trying to chose one; so many stories so little time....*sigh, sigh*...hummm.... I know, now that there are more anticipative and anxious people here, I feel this I am being squeezed by pressure 'to pick a good one'

Hey, I've been there. You've done a good job in the past. I think my favorite stories have been "Shadow in the Rose Garden" and "Odour of Chrysanthemums."

[Janine]

I was a little slow with that too. I was a little afraid of touching the buttons above because I thought it might zap or alter my post in some irrevocably horrible way. A little option-shy, it probably wasn't until my 100th post before I realized I could do that. I still struggle with some things, though: Like indenting. Can anyone indent? I'd like to have actual paragraphs instead of these spaced out blocks of text.

Quark, here is another funny thing. I sometimes still have to type the formating code in and I have caught myself doing this in your posts - [quirk] I guess you could say I got my lines mixed up in my brain-cells! Well, it is good to know I have not been the only dummy here. I think now, 3 years or more, have passed and I just discovered this shortcut. If in doubt and worrying about losing your post, just copy it to your mouse or paste into your Word program and save, for a few minutes and then try any button above. I think that indend is right below that big bold A - see those lines and arrows - you could try that. It might work, but first make sure you copy off your post, or put it into Word.

Hey, I've been there. You've done a good job in the past. I think my favorite stories have been "Shadow in the Rose Garden" and "Odour of Chrysanthemums."

Quark,Thanks for that compliment; it does mean so much to me. I just have to live up to my reputation now and pick another winner.....a little scary.....

Funny, you say you liked "Shadow in The Rose Garden' story because Dark Muse really hated that woman, remember? If I pick a story I am thinking of picking she will really go bananas, over this one character - the witchy wife. I would pick "Wintery Peacock", but we are all thinking spring now, and that takes place in the winter months and in snow. I figure we get enough 'gloom and snow' in the Chekhov thread.; even though WP is a very amusing story and well-written, I will reserve that one for later. The other I have in-mind is "Two Bluebirds" - not about two bluebirds per se, but really quite amusing and entertaining. I just want to throw this idea/suggestion out there, for all of you to see if anyone has read this story before. It is in the last volume of the short stories, so let me check if it is available online, or on this site first. I haven't officially picked this yet, so give me a few more days to make up my mind.

The other story 'Odour of Chrysanthemums' was a great one, although so, so sad...it would appeal to a Chekhov fan .....Last night, I watched the early play of Lawrence's - a Kultur series DVD. Kultur reproduces videos of Broadway performances/plays, maybe that aired on TV, and of other art films such as Opera, Orchestra, Ballet, Dance. Anyway, you can find their films on Amazon or on their actual site; cheaper on Amazon. I usually look them up on the Kultur site and then track them down on Amazon.

Here is my impression of the film/play. It was very well acted and intense, AND as I predicted, it is nearly the same story as 'Odour of Chrysanthemums'. In fact, a bowl of C's was always on the table and yet there did not seem to be mentioned in the script. The wife and mother-in-law were true to form and the kids also, but it seemed (since this was an early idea and play for Lawrence) that he had not yet fully developed the ideas, that were evident in the short story - intererting though. I found it so, because he wrote this play very early, I believe, and it was performed when he was young and so this leads me to realise just how far back the seeds of his thoughts went, to the writing of 'Odour of Chrysanthemums'. I will look it up, so I have more solid facts on the play. I maybe wrong and conjecturing all this, but I thought the play was written first; it may have been second. There was one big difference in the play, in that there was presented an additional character - a young man 7 yrs junior to the wife, who had a 'thing' for her; I can't say it was 'love', but he was very much attracted to her. This character reminded me of Lawrence, himself and I think I read that indeed he had a close relationship to an older woman whose husband was a coal miner. He would visit her often and formed a kind of attachment that of course did not go anywhere in the end. I will also look this biographical information up and see if I am correct. I just thought I may have read this before.
In the play the rest followed: the drunken husband, with the addition of two 'tarts' he brings home drunk with him. Otherwise, the characters seemed true to the short story. It is interesting to see Lawrence's work played out on screen.

[islandclimber]

two bluebirds

Janine here is the story online.. I just read it and quite enjoyed it... it is amusing and very entertaining indeed I think pretty much all of Lawrence's stories are on the above site


that play sounds good.. and same with the company kultur.. I may have to look them up

also... not for this time(maybe in the future though), but my favourite story of his that I have read so far is "The Witch A La Mode" .. have you discussed it before.. or is there hope for some distant future discussion???

[Janine]

two bluebirds

Janine here is the story online.. I just read it and quite enjoyed it... it is amusing and very entertaining indeed I think pretty much all of Lawrence's stories are on the above site

islandclimber, thanks for the link; looks like a good site; I will check it out. Oh, I am so glad you read the story -thanks! I really found it amusing/entertaining, too. I think maybe I will choose this one. It is not too long, either. This should be a fun one to discuss. Also, it has a link to the one of the stories we discussed a few months back "The Man Who Loved Islands"....funny, because it starts out in the same 'fairytale' fashion...."There was a woman who...." It is a biographical link and one you all will find somewhat interesting.

I correct myself. This story is in the Volume 2, not 3, of the 'Complete Short Stories of DHL' . In fact, in my book, it proceeds "Sun", another interesting story we have discussed extensively in this thread.
So sad, islandclimber,that you missed these other fine stories. You might want to read them independently, and I would discuss them with you, or you could read the former posts - both stories had excellent discussions

that play sounds good.. and same with the company kultur.. I may have to look them up

Yes, check out the Kultur site online. That is what I did. I think you can have a catalogue send to your house. This is good to browse in; what I do is then check prizes on Amazon. I first became aware of the company (actually based in my state - NJ) when I viewed "Madame Butterfly" on library VHS tape (since then I have bought the DVD). I saw they came from this company and so I looked Kultur up online. By the way, "Madame Butterfly" is excellent starring Richard Troxel and Ying Huang....such a beautiful production. I never was a big opera fan but now I have learned to appreciate it more and more in the past few years. Now I am loving it. I even bought the CD of the ST to the film.

The play was very good. I think it best, if you know Lawrence and his background to view it; since obviously, it explored the themes in "Sons and Lovers" - the coal miner coming home drunk from the pit, the wife who seems to be above him in social graces, but who puts up with the husband's abuse, the man who cannot connect with woman on a love basis.
I also liked the production of "Enemy of the People", play by Isben, that was rewritten for screen/stage by Arthur Miller. I just saw that a few nights ago. It was very well done and interesting; way ahead of it's time in theme. I am not sure, but I think that also was a Kultur product.

also... not for this time(maybe in the future though), but my favourite story of his that I have read so far is "The Witch A La Mode" .. have you discussed it before.. or is there hope for some distant future discussion???

Actually, I did read that one last month when I was trying to choose. That could be a good posibility. I will consider it for next month. Definitely 'hope' for that one. I must refresh my memory, as to the story. I read so many, they are all beginning to run together....eeek......or I am getting senile.....horrors!

Have be off now, I need to go cook dinner for my starving mother and me, as well.

[Virgil]

two bluebirds

Janine here is the story online.. I just read it and quite enjoyed it... it is amusing and very entertaining indeed I think pretty much all of Lawrence's stories are on the above site


that play sounds good.. and same with the company kultur.. I may have to look them up

Thanks Climber. Unfortunately it's not all his short stories, but it adds to the ones we have here.

No, I feel cheated. I have often wondered about 'spell check' on here and thought for sure it would be in the tool bar, at the top of this posting window. I have hunted for it, forever...it is not there to my knowledge.

Yeah, I feel cheated too. I'll have to ask Logos how we can get spell check. You all should play around with those buttons to get a feel for what they can do. Recently I learned how to subscribe to threads so I can asily find ones I'm definitely interested in.

Funny, you say you liked "Shadow in The Rose Garden' story because Dark Muse really hated that woman, remember? If I pick a story I am thinking of picking she will really go bananas, over this one character - the witchy wife. I would pick "Wintery Peacock", but we are all thinking spring now, and that takes place in the winter months and in snow. I figure we get enough 'gloom and snow' in the Chekhov thread.; even though WP is a very amusing story and well-written, I will reserve that one for later. The other I have in-mind is "Two Bluebirds" - not about two bluebirds per se, but really quite amusing and entertaining. I just want to throw this idea/suggestion out there, for all of you to see if anyone has read this story before. It is in the last volume of the short stories, so let me check if it is available online, or on this site first. I haven't officially picked this yet, so give me a few more days to make up my mind.

The other story 'Odour of Chrysanthemums' was a great one, although so, so sad...it would appeal to a Chekhov fan .....Last night, I watched the early play of Lawrence's - a Kultur series DVD. Kultur reproduces videos of Broadway performances/plays, maybe that aired on TV, and of other art films such as Opera, Orchestra, Ballet, Dance. Anyway, you can find their films on Amazon or on their actual site; cheaper on Amazon. I usually look them up on the Kultur site and then track them down on Amazon.

I've enjoyed all the stories we've read, but I guess my favorite so far that we covered was "The Horse Dealer's Daughter" with "The Blind Man" a close second.

Here is my impression of the film/play. It was very well acted and intense, AND as I predicted, it is nearly the same story as 'Odour of Chrysanthemums'. In fact, a bowl of C's was always on the table and yet there did not seem to be mentioned in the script. The wife and mother-in-law were true to form and the kids also, but it seemed (since this was an early idea and play for Lawrence) that he had not yet fully developed the ideas, that were evident in the short story - intererting though. I found it so, because he wrote this play very early, I believe, and it was performed when he was young and so this leads me to realise just how far back the seeds of his thoughts went, to the writing of 'Odour of Chrysanthemums'. I will look it up, so I have more solid facts on the play. I maybe wrong and conjecturing all this, but I thought the play was written first; it may have been second. There was one big difference in the play, in that there was presented an additional character - a young man 7 yrs junior to the wife, who had a 'thing' for her; I can't say it was 'love', but he was very much attracted to her. This character reminded me of Lawrence, himself and I think I read that indeed he had a close relationship to an older woman whose husband was a coal miner. He would visit her often and formed a kind of attachment that of course did not go anywhere in the end. I will also look this biographical information up and see if I am correct. I just thought I may have read this before.
In the play the rest followed: the drunken husband, with the addition of two 'tarts' he brings home drunk with him. Otherwise, the characters seemed true to the short story. It is interesting to see Lawrence's work played out on screen.

Definetely interested in that film/play. Perhaps Janine if you see a link on the internet you can post it.

islandclimber, thanks for the link; looks like a good site; I will check it out. Oh, I am so glad you read the story -thanks! I really found it amusing/entertaining, too. I think maybe I will choose this one. It is not too long, either. This should be a fun one to discuss. Also, it has a link to the one of the stories we discussed a few months back "The Man Who Loved Islands"....funny, because it starts out in the same 'fairytale' fashion...."There was a woman who...." It is a biographical link and one you all will find somewhat interesting.

That is a characteristic of Lawrence's late fiction, the starting a story/novella with a abstract character. "The Man Who Loved Islands," The Man Who Died, and my one of my favorite short stories, "The Woman Who Rode Away." I can't wait until we do that story.

"Wintry Peacock" I remember being one of Lawrence's best, and while I can't remember the actual story I do remember liking "The Witch A La Mode." I had to have read "Two Bluebirds" but I don't remember a single thing. That's not the one with the swordfish, is it? I can't remember the one with the swordfish, but it was very good.

[Dark Muse]

I've enjoyed all the stories we've read, but I guess my favorite so far that we covered was "The Horse Dealer's Daughter"

I will have to read that one on my own sometime. I do not suppose, it acutally has anything to do with horses?

I am a bit of a horse fanatic

[Virgil]

I will have to read that one on my own sometime. I do not suppose, it acutally has anything to do with horses?

I am a bit of a horse fanatic

Well, the family breeds hoses. Horses are one of those Lawrence motifs that come up frequently.

[Janine]

Well, the family breeds hoses. Horses are one of those Lawrence motifs that come up frequently.

you should could use SPELL CHECK! they breed HOSES????Virgil Maybe that was a Freudian slip, hose, snake.....?

Virgil, the L play I can send to you to borrow, after I watch it again. I think I need to see it when I am more awake than I was last night. You would like the "Kangaroo" tape also but you don't have a VCR do you? You should buy a cheap one of those. The Kultur site is a good one and you just might find other author's plays you would be interested in; but, remember, the price is usually cheaper on Amazon.

I've enjoyed all the stories we've read, but I guess my favorite so far that we covered was "The Horse Dealer's Daughter" with "The Blind Man" a close second.

That would figure! I think that is because you like the scenes of transfiguration and thigh stroking..... Sorry, I am feeling kid of giddy tonight. Baby shower is tomorrow; in fact, I should be wrapping the gifts as we speak.

Yeah, I feel cheated too. I'll have to ask Logos how we can get spell check. You all should play around with those buttons to get a feel for what they can do. Recently I learned how to subscribe to threads so I can asily find ones I'm definitely interested in.

Yeah, Logos! I hope she does tell us how to assess it. I need it badly. I should play 'push the buttons' one of these days - my posts might look more professional if I knew how to use that tool bar better. Yeah, just how do you subscribe to certain threads? I've been wondering that for sometime. I usually just come on and put 'Lawrence' in the search box and it seem to take me to the threads, I most often frequent; but, I am probably missing many many more cool threads.

That is a characteristic of Lawrence's late fiction, the starting a story/novella with a abstract character. "The Man Who Loved Islands," The Man Who Died, and my one of my favorite short stories, "The Woman Who Rode Away." I can't wait until we do that story.

Yes, I realised that. Also, the more 'fable' type story seems prominent, symbolism being a big factor in those stories. I think you all will like this story "Two Bluebirds". I actually laughed out loud at some of the scenes. We could use a little levity in this thread - don't you think? Especially after the Chekhov discussions.

Yes, the ones you mention here, are also good ones, but longer I believe. Have you read "Jimmy and the Desperate Women" - just curious? I think I read that years ago and want to re-read it sometime.

"Wintry Peacock" I remember being one of Lawrence's best, and while I can't remember the actual story I do remember liking "The Witch A La Mode." I had to have read "Two Bluebirds" but I don't remember a single thing. That's not the one with the swordfish, is it? I can't remember the one with the swordfish, but it was very good.

I read 'Wintry Peacock" twice now, and I liked it even better, second time around. It is also, a very amusing story. Let us keep it on hold, till we approach next fall/winter. Something more 'springlike' is in order for this month. I don't recall a swordfish in "Two Bluebirds", but I may be wrong. I only read it once and it was awhile ago. It is not a very long story, one can read it in an hour or even a half hr.

[islandclimber]

do you think anyone could tell me what stories you have read so far, so I can possibly read them, seeing as they are not likely to be read again??

here is one more online site with a lot of Lawrence's work that I could not find anywhere else... almost all his prose work anyways...

Lawrence

I think though if I'm going to stay with this thread I will have to go purchase his complete short stories that I keep hearing mentioned...


Janine I took a look at the kultur website and I am in love with it now..

I already have one of their videos... The best version of the Nutcracker ballet ever.. the one with Mikhail Baryshnikov... it is so so so amazing... He is such an amazing dancer... and then there are the broadway plays, and the operas... that is a great company... you said they are cheaper on amazon???
I have a few nonverbal films I am going to purchase in the next little while and then I may be buying some opera... and a few plays as well! If you're interested in nonverbal documentary style films that are just incredibly beautiful and have amazing music, I would recommend checking out this website Baraka

and I'm going to see Eugene Onegin Wednesday night which should be fun!

[Virgil]

do you think anyone could tell me what stories you have read so far, so I can possibly read them, seeing as they are not likely to be read again??

here is one more online site with a lot of Lawrence's work that I could not find anywhere else... almost all his prose work anyways...

Lawrence

Climber!!! I can damn near kiss you for that, if you weren't so masculine. That looks like most of Lawrence's work. How did you find that? I do searches for Lawrence's work every so often and I never came across that. I've already added that to my internet favorites. Thanks.

The stories we read are:
“Things”
“The Horse Dealer’s Daughter”
“Sun”
“The Man Who Loved Islands,”
“A Shadow in the Rose Garden”
"The Blind Man"

Did I miss any Janine?

I think though if I'm going to stay with this thread I will have to go purchase his complete short stories that I keep hearing mentioned...

Yes, unless you don't mind reading off a computer. It comes in three penguin volumes, paperback so their not too expensive.

[Virgil]

you should could use SPELL CHECK! they breed HOSES????Virgil Maybe that was a Freudian slip, hose, snake.....?

No not a Freudian slip, silly. Just poor typing.

Yeah, Logos! I hope she does tell us how to assess it. I need it badly. I should play 'push the buttons' one of these days - my posts might look more professional if I knew how to use that tool bar better. Yeah, just how do you subscribe to certain threads? I've been wondering that for sometime. I usually just come on and put 'Lawrence' in the search box and it seem to take me to the threads, I most often frequent; but, I am probably missing many many more cool threads.

I'll send her a PM. As to subscribing for threads, look at the top of this page at thread tools, pull down the menu, and click subscribe to this thread, and finally acknowledge that you want to subscribe. Then under Quick Links you'll see "Subscribed Threads" and it will pull up all your subscribed threads.

Yes, I realised that. Also, the more 'fable' type story seems prominent, symbolism being a big factor in those stories.

The word I was searching for and I couldn't come up with before was architypical. It came to me earlier. Lawrence was after a certain architypical characterization, if you know what i mean, in his later years.

I think you all will like this story "Two Bluebirds". I actually laughed out loud at some of the scenes. We could use a little levity in this thread - don't you think? Especially after the Chekhov discussions.

Yes, the ones you mention here, are also good ones, but longer I believe. Have you read "Jimmy and the Desperate Women" - just curious? I think I read that years ago and want to re-read it sometime.

Looking forward to Bluebirds. I think I may have read "Jimmy" but frankly many of them are a blurr to me at this point.

[Janine]

Climber!!! I can damn near kiss you for that, if you weren't so masculine. That looks like most of Lawrence's work. How did you find that? I do searches for Lawrence's work every so often and I never came across that. I've already added that to my internet favorites. Thanks.

The stories we read are:
“Things”
“The Horse Dealer’s Daughter”
“Sun”
“The Man Who Loved Islands,”
“A Shadow in the Rose Garden”
"The Blind Man"

Did I miss any Janine?


Yes, unless you don't mind reading off a computer. It comes in three penguin volumes, paperback so their not too expensive.

This is so odd. I ran to get my book and half of what I had just written, in this post disappeared. Hummm...I can't figure out why. Ok, I will have to begin again....*groan...sigh*

Virgil, I will answer your post first, since you have seniority (not in age but in number of posts on this thread). Ok, first off you did miss some and they were really important ones. Here are the ones I recall:

"The Prussian Officer"
"Odour of Chrysanthemums"
"The White Stocking"
"The Shades of Spring"

How you missed those first two are beyond me. You loved the first one, I know, and the second I thought you liked very much. I just checked the complete list in the first volume of the "Complete Short Stories". I don't think I missed any, do you? That would make 10 altogether; and I assure you all - there are plenty more to come.

I see some more that I have read recently and reviewed and may be good possibilities for the future.

[Virgil]

This is so odd. I ran to get my book and half of what I had just written, in this post disappeared. Hummm...I can't figure out why. Ok, I will have to begin again....*groan...sigh*

Virgil, I will answer your post first, since you have seniority (not in age but in number of posts on this thread). Ok, first off you did miss some and they were really important ones. Here are the ones I recall:

"The Prussian Officer"
"Odour of Chrysanthemums"
"The White Stocking"
"The Shades of Spring"

How you missed those first two are beyond me. You loved the first one, I know, and the second I thought you liked very much. I just checked the complete list in the first volume of the "Complete Short Stories". I don't think I missed any, do you? That would make 10 altogether; and I assure you all - there are plenty more to come.

I see some more that I have read recently and reviewed and may be good possibilities for the future.

Thanks Janine, you are correct. I don't know how i missed them.

[Quark]

As to subscribing for threads, look at the top of this page at thread tools, pull down the menu, and click subscribe to this thread, and finally acknowledge that you want to subscribe. Then under Quick Links you'll see "Subscribed Threads" and it will pull up all your subscribed threads.

Thanks for the tip, Virgil.

[Janine]

do you think anyone could tell me what stories you have read so far, so I can possibly read them, seeing as they are not likely to be read again??

10 stories, I counted so far - see my and Virgil's lists. I can tell you they all are great! So are the discussions! Enjoy your reading. I so appreciate that you care enough to go back and read and review these stories. You will not regret it.
I feel badly about only one discussion; the first one. The thread had not been up long, so we did not talk a lot about one of my favorites: "Things". If you read, it let me know what you think. I love the irony in this story.

here is one more online site with a lot of Lawrence's work that I could not find anywhere else... almost all his prose work anyways...

Lawrence

Fantastic - yeah, how did you find this site??? I must send you the link to a site about Lawrence at Nottingham University - there is a whole online exhibit there that is marvelous. I hope it is still there; pictures, places he lived, writings, poems, even photos of original manuscripts in L's handwriting. I just love to explore that site.

I think though if I'm going to stay with this thread I will have to go purchase his complete short stories that I keep hearing mentioned...

islandclimber, I will go on Amazon and try and research this for you. If I find any good deals I will email you right away and first I will put them into a file so we can find them easily again. I bought used books; pretty much that is what you have to do. These are out of print now. That is the problem with L's books. I saw one of his post death going for as much as 2000 bucks...ridiculous! But on a cheerier note I found these two books (I had Volume Three already) quite reasonable. I am good at finding them on Amazon.

Janine I took a look at the kultur website and I am in love with it now..

It's amazing, isn't it? Really rare stuff there. I think they send me a catalogue and then I looked it up online. I have purchased a number of the Kultur videos now and my library has gotten so many from time to time - they have a 'circulating' collection which goes to different libraries monthly; this is in addition to their own huge collection. I am truly blessed. I saw "Carmen" with Placido Domingo and that may have been another Kultur videos. It was great!

I already have one of their videos... The best version of the Nutcracker ballet ever.. the one with Mikhail Baryshnikov... it is so so so amazing... He is such an amazing dancer...

I have that on a home recorded VHS tape. I just may invest soon in the DVD. I do want it badly - may be nice for next Christmas. I adore Mikhail Baryshnikov. I recently bought several films he is featured in. "White Nights" is one; Gegory Hinds is great, too....they dance together and it is amazing. Ever see the film? Worth it for the dancing alone. I saw another film from the library a few weeks back - his version of "Don Quixote" - the man is so amazing, he outshown all the others. I also saw some short ones he does on one video but now the name eludes me. I saw his one to Sinatra music and that was interesting. The man is so versatile; he could do anything. I also love Nureveyv(sp?); I own one film with him and Fountaine. You are speaking my language now. I draw ballet dancers in ink and pencil.

and then there are the broadway plays, and the operas... that is a great company... you said they are cheaper on amazon???

The ones I have looked for, I have found cheaper on Amazon. I usually buy from the independent seller under the link to "new and used"...I try to find someone with over 98, 99% positive (100% best) and mostly get the factory sealed ones, but have bought some 'used - like new'; depends on the price. An incredible ballet CD I just bought, had just become available on DVD, is 'Lady of the Camillias". The dancing is so sensual. I am now reading the Dumas book, and am nearly done it. One the Kultur site check out Tosca with Roberto Alagna and his real life wife, Angela Gheorghiu....it is amazing. I love Roberto Alagna and have three of his DVD films. I have his "Cerano(sp?) d 'Bergerac" and his "Romeo and Juliet". I love them all.

I have a few nonverbal films I am going to purchase in the next little while and then I may be buying some opera... and a few plays as well! If you're interested in nonverbal documentary style films that are just incredibly beautiful and have amazing music, I would recommend checking out this website Baraka:thumbs_u

I will check that out. I like that sort of thing very much. I have "Tim Janis' Coastal America". I bought it mainly since they show tons of photos of the West coastline and those sea-stakes in WA; and Rialto beach.

and I'm going to see Eugene Onegin Wednesday night which should be fun!

I don't know who that is but it sounds great to me. I love live orchestra and live choral productions and of course, live ballet!

Just wanted to add this: I just looked up your site 'Baraka' and I love it. I have seen some of those - I saw "Winged Migration" - love it, love it, love it!!!! I liked the extra features as well. Same with "March of the Penquins" - the features are a whole new film! I also put some into my wish list - that one called "Chrono" - something like that, sounds interesting. I also recently saw "Deep Blue" and I bought the soundtrack. Marvelous film - amazing footage!
I love adventure stories too; like I am especially enamoured with the Ernest Shackleton story in the Antarctic and read three books on it, own the miniseries, own some books and other films on the story, collect stuff from online.