Human Playground

No pain, no gain: A marathon in the desert, bullfighting, a brutal bicycle race and ice swimming push people to the brink, mentally and physically.

After conquering Europe, Charlemagne orders a common-language translation of the Bible and converts Saxon leader Widukind to Christianity.

The world is a very dangerous place for tiny hatchlings like Alpha, a female saltasaur. Follow Alpha as she leaves her nesting site and begins life on the run from a deadly band of aucasaurs. Years later, she returns home to breed – and learns there are worse things to fear than a hungry aucasaur.

From mountaineering in the face of death to a game for a fruitful harvest, sports are spiritual experiences for those seeking signs from a higher power.