The History of the United States, 2nd Edition

By: The Great Courses, Allen C. Guelzo, Gary W. Gallagher, Patrick N. Allitt

Narrated by: Allen C. Guelzo, Gary W. Gallagher, Patrick N. Allitt

Length: 43 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

This comprehensive series of 84 lectures features three award-winning historians sharing their insights into this nation's past - from the European settlement and the Revolutionary War through the Civil War, 19th-century industrialization, two world wars, and the present day.

While American history spans not much more than two centuries, it is filled with a wealth of leaders, wars, movements, inventions, and ideas - each of which contributed in its own unique way to America's transformation from 13 disparate colonies on the east coast of North America into a global superpower.

These lectures give you the opportunity to grasp the different aspects of our past that combine to make us distinctly American, and to gain the knowledge so essential to recognizing not only what makes this country such a noteworthy part of world history, but the varying degrees to which it has lived up to its ideals.

The lectures chart the five predominant themes that run throughout the chronicle of U.S. history:

• The American passion for freedom-including religious, political, and economic freedom.
• The pursuit of education, which has been the quintessential way for Americans to invent (and reinvent) themselves.
• The unquestioned faith in the value of popular government.
• The willingness of Americans to experiment with and adapt to new environments and situations.
• The belief that the United States is a "city on the hill," a country the likes of which the world has never seen before.

Placing familiar historical events in the context of these overarching themes will help you see American history less as a series of separate events and more as a mosaic in which everything is interconnected.

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

©2003 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2003 The Great Courses

Excellent overview

I am a history instructor and am always looking for new insights and perspectives - and this provided an abundance of such.

wonderful

42 hours of pure entertainment. 3 great professors. Excellent value for a single credit too.

42 Hours of American History in All Its Glory and Sorrow.

A comprehensive review of American history though (just barely) the 9/11 attacks. It is expertly presented by three knowledgeable professors. I feel like I just completed a two semester course in the subject.

a must

There were a few things that were glossed over that I would've liked to hear more about, but overall, very thorough

Amazing

This book was very interesting and informative. By listening to it I've greatly increased my knowledge of American history.

A great intro to the large canvas of American hist

These lectures are a great way to learn about American history from the beginning to modern times. It's informative, interesting and very well presented. I enjoyed learning a lot.

Great lecture series

Very concise, but hits the high points. Whets the appetite for more history. I can’t wait to see what happens in the sequel.

Great!

I loved this series. There was a few parts I felt was a little rushed and I would have enjoyed deeper content, however the overall performance was great especially for a newbie history student like myself.

Great historical review for anyone looking for a refresh on US history!

I really enjoyed these lectures the first professor was eloquent and provided much information including things that I never knew about United States history however the second professor seems to meander and has difficulty tracking the same as the first. The contrast between the two makes it more evident that the first is the superior speaker and so it makes the rest of the story a bit difficult however still a good review or introduction to US history.

Brief Overview of America's History.

Except for the introduction music,and contrived applause to each lecture, it was well done.