• America: Empire of Liberty

  • The Complete BBC Radio 4 Series
  • By: David Reynolds
  • Narrated by: David Reynolds
  • Length: 20 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (16 ratings)

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America: Empire of Liberty  By  cover art

America: Empire of Liberty

By: David Reynolds
Narrated by: David Reynolds
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Publisher's summary

David Reynolds' major BBC Radio 4 series explores the origins of the contemporary Untied States from its beginnings to the present day.

This epic narrative tells America's story through the voices of those who lived it - presidents and farmers, mothers and children, settlers and soldiers, slaves and Indians. The series celebrates the country's achievements but also examines its paradoxes by investigating three abiding themes of American life: empire, liberty and faith.

Empire of Liberty: from the arrival of Native Americans from Asia to the slave trade and the forced relocation of the Indians, the first series describes how the United States expanded to cover a whole continent, laying the foundations of a superpower - if the country could remain united.

Power & Progress: the second series depicts the tragedy and heroism of the Civil War (1861-65), which finally ended slavery - though not racial discrimination - and the dynamism of the reunited nation as it grew into an industrial giant. America's role in the Second World War is also examined.

Empire & Evil: the final series chronicles America's long struggle with the Soviet Union and examines the effect of that confrontation on American values, particularly in Vietnam and Watergate. The country's struggle to overcome its racist past led from the civil rights movement to its first black president. Also examined is the impact of Elvis on popular music, the battle over abortion and the story of the personal computer and the information revolution.

©2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2017 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

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A view of the Great Experiment in democracy and freedom

As is said liberty, freedom and democracy are at times messy. That America has existed now for nearly 2 1/2 centuries is testament of its correctness and greatness. David Reynolds is a historian not a politician or even an American. He holds up a mirror to our history and the sight we behold is messy but it continues. We need to view our mistakes so as not to repeat them. We also need to carefully view our victories so as to repeat them. This is why we have history not merely for the glory.

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Left Wing Dribble

An attempt to rewrite history which will fail for anyone who actually know their facts and data. But the left has never let truth stop them before. Absolute garbage. Read George Orwell’s 1984 instead to see how the indoctrination and rewriting of American history is taking place.

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Accent

I use this for school. The accent is making it hard for me to comprehend the material. Great book.

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