The American Civil War

By: Gary W. Gallagher, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Gary W. Gallagher

Length: 24 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Between 1861 and 1865, the clash of the greatest armies the Western hemisphere had ever seen turned small towns, little-known streams, and obscure meadows in the American countryside into names we will always remember. In those great battles, those streams ran red with blood - and the United States was truly born.

If you've ever wanted to understand the Civil War, this series of 48 startlingly evocative lectures by a leading Civil War historian can serve as both an ideal single course or a solid starting point for further exploration - a richly detailed examination of how this great conflict affected every person in America. For you'll gain not only a deep knowledge of what happened, but new insights into why.

You'll learn how both sides' armies were recruited, equipped, and trained, and about the hard lot of those they took prisoner. You'll hear how soldiers on each of those sides dealt with the rigors of camp life, campaigns, and the terror of combat. And you'll understand how slaves and their falling masters responded to the advancing war, as well as the desperate price paid by the families so many left behind.

Though this series of lectures goes far beyond a simple examination of battles and generals, it also offers detailed analyses of the strategic and tactical dimensions of the Civil War's most important campaigns. At the same time, it never forgets that the conflict involved far more than pins on a map - and indeed claimed a greater cost in human lives than all other American wars combined.

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

©2000 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2000 The Great Courses

Superb

I understand things about the Overland Campaign that I simply did not understand or know before. Well researched and well presented in every way. worth your time if you have an interest in our history.

Though attempting impartiality, still South Bias

it is a very thorough and organized method of telling of not only the battles, but the social, political, and economical ramificarions. His lectures are organized, thorough, and insightful with directly attributable quotes.

Spectacular history

I've never been as big of a fan of the Civil War. It's always seemed so tragic pitting countryman against countryman and to the casual observer, uninspired in tactics.

I'll never look at the conflict the same way. What might seem uninspired today was revolutionary in 1863 and while the war was tragic, the gulf that divided our country was much more pronounced than I had thought.

In the end this is an excellent survey of the war, the politics, the economics and the lives of Americans during that period.

My only two complaints are that it wasn't longer (which after 48 lectures is saying quite a bit about the professor and material) and the lack of depth on the technological advancements that changed the war. This lecture is about the war, mostly as it pertains to itself. I would have liked to have at least one episode from the perspective of warfare and how it compared to other wars. For instance the Telegraph was not mentioned once yet it was a wildly important aspect of the war.

In the end this was amazing and I'd recommend it to anyone with an interest in American or world history. It is possibly the most significant 5 years in our domestic history.

Beyond excellent

This is a detailed look at every aspect of the civil war. The presentation is both pleasant and compelling.

Interesting

I found this very interesting. I appreciate the details shared. I would recommend to my friends and family.

Well rounded history, kept interest throughout

Dr. Gallagher presents a thorough and enjoyable history of the civil war. He is an engaging lecturer with a vast knowledge of the subject. He presents the war both thematically and chronologically and reminds you of each to keep you on track. This is probably the best Great Course history I've heard.

Comprehensive View in to Civil War

this is a pretty comprehensive lecture series which analyzes critical events leading to civil war and events around civil war and not that much about the impact after civil war.
Overall, this is an excellent compilation and the narrator is very neutral and puts forward a well balanced view from union and confederation side.
The author also provides a quick overview from different perspectives like those of average persons, women, slaves, free black persons and other European countries.

highly recommended.

GREAT for any enthusiast

As a Civil War Reenactor this lecture series really has opened up my eyes and explained a lot and told me quite the story line of the ACW great to have this in my library

great Course

listened to it twice, back to back. very informative. makes you think and makes you talk to friends about it.

Great book.

Great book. Very entertaining. Long but satisfying. Great performance. A ton of material. Highly recommended.