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

Very interesting perspective

Very interesting perspective and very well told. I recommend it to all history buffs. It will improve your critical understanding of American history.

Interesting lecture

I enjoyed listening to these lectures which range from early American history to modern events. The presenter is clear, speaks well and is engaging to listen to. Would recommend this course to others and, in fact, already have.

Challenges your preconceived notions of history.

I was inculcated to believe in the role of the founders being pure public servants. I'm no longer a philiopietist.

A mandatory book

I read a lot of history books, but this book is unique. It is a review of historical "facts" we've heard since high school. Stoler provides historical analysis that changes so-called "facts" into myths. A truly unique history book. I loved it.

Good topic, good information, so-so presentation

I have a pretty healthy interest in history, and enjoy reading different perspectives on the many events that made up the past 250 or so years of the United States. So this book fit right into that. I thoroughly enjoyed the material and the depth into which Mark Stoler dug to present it. I also appreciated that he stayed true to his theme of learning to question "facts" as they are often generally accepted; there's always some nuance or two that can readily change how one views an event, and knowing about those helps in understanding.

But I was a bit annoyed about the narration itself. The narrator has a habit of adding emphasis on WAY too many points by stretching out the pronunciation of words ("just....isn't...so" style of speaking). I found this distracting and it occurs throughout the lectures.

I would recommend this as a good listen for those of you who want to know more than just the facts of many of our historical events.

Thought provoking.

Besides get additional information and insights on history, this book encourages people to get out of their comfort zone and seek a more accurate and useful view of history and today. In a world where too many people are "certain" of conflicting truths, skepticism of our individual believes may lead to finding something closing to the real truth and then
lead to a common and correct understanding.

Great book. worth re-reading

Author holds an unbiased perspective of our history as Americans. Very coherent and to the point.

Very informative

The course is well constructed, provides significant insight into our collective past and is entertaining.

If you appreciate history, you'll enjoy this selection.

Fantastic. Period.

I couldn't "put it down" and I shared it with friends. Great course and very well read... even at 1.5x speed.

Great information, well presented

The information is balanced and very interesting, and is very nicely delivered by Mr. Stoler. I found it very easy to listen to lecture after lecture, eager to learn more.