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

Excellent

Loved the narration and some long-standing notions about history turn out not to be true. Plan to listen a second time.

it's good but not great

Great if you don't love history, good if you do. I am didn't learn anything really new. But it was a good refresher and lesson on how the present effects our views on the past.

Reality or Myth?

I loved learning the facts juxtaposed with our American mythology. The au2thor pointed out the truth, identified the errors in the stories we've been told and then elaborated on why certain historical personages continue to deserve our respect. I was educated, entertained & impressed.

What an essential series. Fantastic presentation.

This series examines the accuracy of many popular cultural mythologies attached to key events in American history. It is engaging and thought provoking. On occasion I felt that there was inadequate evidence to make a few of the broad assertions made; however, the format itself presents time and content limitations that precludes in depth coverage on every subject.

Take Aways:
- How the present affects how we frame the past
- Histories and heroes we've forgotten and the truth of those we've memorialized

Best quote:
Seek those who seek truth. Run from those who've found it. -Vaclav Havel

Entertains and Educational

Very entertaining and educational. Learned a lot and had fun too! Recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more history!

Excellent guide to American political history

Prof. Mark stolen provides an excellent narration in a clear, steady tone. It was not boring to listen to these lectures. The breadth of time period from 1776 to 2008, with emphasis on periods upto 1990 also helped to put events in perspective.

Great history course!

Great speaker who brings up questions and perspectives you probably have not thought about questioning in a excellent history course on America. I really enjoyed it.

Great review of history

Facts vs Opinion. What we sense is true may not be accurate. This looks at the facts of history vs what we think we know.

Best US history lecture.

This lecture is a reminder of how com
plicated things are vs how they are remembered or taught.

Excelente review for American History

It was so eye opening to listen how our country grew in a honest and realistic manner, specially the parallels of the 13 colonies and the current US territory.