The Skeptic's Guide to American History

By: Mark A. Stoler, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Mark A. Stoler

Length: 12 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

To take a skeptical approach to American history is not to dabble in imaginative conspiracy theories; rather, it's to reframe your understanding of this great nation's past and actually strengthen your appreciation for what makes American history such a fascinating chapter in the larger story of Western civilization. And in this bold 24-lecture series, you can do just that.

Travel back in time and examine many commonly held myths and half-truths about American history and prompt yourself to think about what really happened in the nation's past - as opposed to what many believe happened. These lectures demonstrate how reconsidering some of the most popular notions of U.S. history can yield new (and sometimes startlingly different) interpretations of political, social, economic, and military events. But more than just debunking commonly accepted accounts, you'll be able to replace these misconceptions with insightful truths. Exploring both America's history and the verdicts that have been rendered about some of its most enduring figures - including George Washington, John Adams, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and many others - these lectures investigate a wide-ranging list of questions. What impact did other nations have on the American Revolution? Has George Washington always been revered as president? Do we now understand the true blunders in America's Vietnam policies and tactics?

In exploring these and other questions, these lectures prove themselves to be a delightful intellectual experience that will allow you to rethink not just the facts of U.S. history, but also their meaning.

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

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

Every kid should read this

An honest look at the history of the u.s. We need to be honest with our selves about thinking we're always the good guys.

Realistic View

This course presented a realistic view of American History with all the twists and turns and conflicts that defines who we are as Americans. What an eye opener!

Incredibly informative

This was better than I had hoped.

This is my first of the "Great Courses" I have listened to, and it was definitely worth it. It is a brief retelling of history without our myths or outright lies about the origins of America. What we have been taught in school is at the least propaganda, and in many cases outright falsehood.

Even with the conservative viewpoint of Dr Stoler, it was eye opening to see the realities behind previous presidents, and historical events. He especially eradicated the myths of our "defense only" military history.

There is nothing I can fault on this course. It is 12 hours of information I may have heard bits about, but never the full story. I cannot recommend this enough.

As I see it

I liked the content mostly. The clapping between chapters is obnoxious and could certainly have been left out.

A must for any citizen of the world

On point, unbiased and an eye opener. Should be part of any higher degree curriculum or high-school history class.

Took a risk and loved it

I'd never listened to any of the Great Courses but decided to try something new. Fascinating discussion on American history. I plan on listening to these lectures again and have several others I'm excited to check out.

Illuminating

The book clearly identifies and clarifies historical events often overlooked but were just as relevant to history as main events often covered.

THINK IN A NEW WAY

An engaging look at historical myths: intelligent, well-presented, cogent, and ironically subject to its own biases.

One of the best great courses

Really liked this great courses. Covered most of American history with great incite. Easy to listen to. I did not get bored of listening like some other great Courses. Would highly recommend

Eye opening

Great material, eye opening. The narration was clear enough but sometimes sounded harsh or shrill.