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The Skeptic's Guide to American History  By  cover art

The Skeptic's Guide to American History

By: Mark A. Stoler, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Mark A. Stoler
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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

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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.

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Illuminating

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

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THINK IN A NEW WAY

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

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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

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Eye opening

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

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Very good course

Necessarily cursory in parts, but a very good overview of US history with due regard for the nuances, misinterpretations, the significance of important events. I recommend this course.

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Wow!! I loved these lectures

What I loved most about them is the unbiased stance on history!!! I am very impressed

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Simple and Sweet

I always enjoy the great courses series; this one is no exception as the lecture guides you through some common misconceptions on US History through a fairly objective lens.

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Great amount of education.

I learned quite a bit of information from this course. Very engaging and provocative. The speaker was very well spoken and entertaining.

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Amazing

Truly eye opening and inspiring. and I would highly recommend anyone who wants to know a bit more about our history, to listen

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