Fundamentally, the programme seemed to provide a dumb-ed down version of previous History Channel (now plain "History," according to my Wikipedia glance) programming on the same subjects. As an example, I'll cite the "Ku Klux Klan" episode. History did a fairly thorough show about the Klan years ago. The "Book of Secrets" episode recycled some footage from the older show--some charming Klansmen yelling about having all non WASP types using colourful language. The "Book of Secrets" Klan programme also used a lot of archival footage having nothing to do with the actual group. There were "God Hates Obama" signs clearly designed by the Westboro Baptist Church. Similarly, the programme used generic footage from right-wing groups who I think would be appalled to be cited as Klansmen.
Also, the narrator/narration had an irritating habit of rhetorically asking whether X had a more sinister/secret/special reason for occurring. As an example, using the Klan episode, the narrator asked about why the FBI only investigated Klan-linked murders starting in 2007. However, the show then moved on past this apparent triviality.
Also, the narrator/narration had an irritating habit of rhetorically asking whether X had a more sinister/secret/special reason for occurring. As an example, using the Klan episode, the narrator asked about why the FBI only investigated Klan-linked murders starting in 2007. However, the show then moved on past this apparent triviality.