Robert E. Lee and His High Command

By: Gary W. Gallagher, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Gary W. Gallagher

Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Few events have captivated students of American history like the Civil War. Its most striking personalities seem somehow outsized, magnified beyond the ability of books or even legend to contain them. And few among those personalities have ever held our attention like General Robert Edward Lee.

With his Army of Northern Virginia, Lee came to embody the cause of the Confederacy itself, inspiring a commitment from troops and civilians that eventually overshadowed even those given to its political leaders and institutions.

This riveting series of 24 lectures from one of the nation's most respected Civil War historians explains how this came to pass, and how - in a war that produced no other successful Confederate armies - this amazing leader was able to create and inspire an army whose achievements resonated not only across the Confederacy but also throughout the North and in foreign capitals like London and Paris.

You'll learn what Lee was actually like, and gain insights into his ideas about strategy and tactics. You'll grasp how battlefield events influenced public opinion on the home fronts of both the Union and the Confederacy. And, most of all, you'll grasp how crucial Lee's choices in forming his high command were to the war's events and outcome.

These lectures have been designed to appeal to everyone who wants to understand more about the Civil War and why it unfolded as it did, whether your interest is in the strategy and tactics underlying its major battles or in the broader context within which those battles took place.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2004 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2004 The Great Courses

Outstanding Professor

What did you love best about Robert E. Lee and His High Command?

Dr. Gallagher is an outstanding presenter! If more students has a history teacher like him, more people would love history and not dread it. His enthusiasm is electrifying, and he is clearly not reading a script. I am going to search out his other books here, and in print.

What did you like best about this story?

He knew so much about the topic, had wonderful insights, and provided the little details so missing, yet humanizing, in many history tomes.

Which character – as performed by Professor Gary W. Gallagher – was your favorite?

He did not "perform". He presented his information and was fantastic. I was really sorry when it was over.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I have no idea.

Any additional comments?

Worthwhile and educational. And entertaining.

an excellent course !

Very easy to listen to. Extremely informative, well researched. I may not always agree with Dr Gallagher ' s conclusions or opinions but he stuck to historical fact and not speculation. This was my first listen to an audible book and I am sold. looking forward to starting my next book.

Insightful look

I enjoyed the lecture format very much. Having read many books about involved people, it’s nice to have one source, giving more of a universal view, not only to the individuals, but to their circumstances.

Can't be Gary!

Just simply and easily the best civil war historian there is today. And a fantastic speaker. Very well worth it!

Highly Recommend

Outstanding series of lectures for the novice or the dedicated student of the Civil War. The final lecture concerning “The Lost Cause” efforts at changing history should be required listening prior to reading most civil war novels and so called historic works.

Can the canned applause!

Very informative content, but attempting to present these as live lectures by playing an identical track of recorded applause before and after each segment was ludicrous and became increasingly annoying as the course went on.

Excellent audiobook in all aspects

This lecture series is one of the best I've listened to. Professor Gallagher truly knows history and he presents the material in a very easy to understand way while also proving a ton of insight about each particular general and their strengths and weaknesses.

I would highly recommend this series to anyone with an interest in the Civil War.

I wish there was a companion audiobook about the Union army's high command as well, preferably from the same professor.

Great lectures of General Lee and his command

Very informative, loved it. by far my favorite of the great courses. I've been a Civil War buff for 20 plus years and absolutely love these lectures. Hope they make one of General Grant.

Worth every minute

Gary Gallagher brings the civil war to life. This lecture will bring the civil ear generals to life. Not to be missed if you want to understand the southern generals.

Civil War 100 Freshman year not a 400 level!

Good starter information, but was expecting more from a lecture series. Not to detract from the series, but if you study the war and read the accounts, other books would serve you better.