The US Constitution Through History

By: Eric Berger, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Eric Berger

Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

When a group of former colonial rebels met at the Constitutional Convention, they knew they wanted to fix their broken government without recreating the English tyranny that had haunted them for decades. But were they prepared to create a brand-new system of government, the likes of which the world had never seen?

The ideas on which the United States is founded are rich and diverse—and sometimes in tension with one another. Since our early history, Americans have sought to clarify those ideas and resolve those tensions through the Constitution, as well as the intricate body of law, traditions, and norms that have come to comprise our constitutional heritage.

The history of the Constitution is therefore a history of ideas that define our country and our national identity—and it’s a fascinating and revealing story.

The US Constitution Through History gives you the opportunity to explore the story of this powerful document, as well as the way our interpretation of it has evolved. In 24 riveting lectures, Professor Eric Berger of the University of Nebraska takes you on a journey through America’s constitutional history. He takes you inside the minds of the Framers and unpacks the ideas that led to the break from England. He then traces the evolution of those ideas through the schisms of the 19th century, the transformations of the 20th century, to our present era. To understand the United States today, we must understand how it has shaped and been shaped by this founding document that Americans have so long revered.

Disclaimer: Please note that this recording may include references to supplemental texts or print references that are not essential to the program and not supplied with your purchase.

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

©2022 The Great Courses (P)2022 The Teaching Company, LLC

Good listen… Except

The authors inability to accept the possibility of a 2020 stolen election. “Proof being the 2am massive spike in votes for Biden. First ever in voting history. Is the only negative. The rest was very informative and presented with clarity, clear and concise.

One of the best Great Courses!

Really enjoyed this and learned a great deal. The last couple of lectures were quite topical, and may make you feel a bit less anxious about the Supreme Court ruining the country .
This was fine to listen to without video.

The Use of the Constitution Throughout History

The author made understanding the constitution a lot easier with a variety of examples throughout history where the Constitution was referred to.

Outstandingly interesting

It was my first book listened on the U.S. Constitution outside my legal education and I enjoyed the manner of storytelling and the context provided.

Excellent - Detailed and Substantial

As a practicing lawyer, I find a lot of law-related courses too basic or general. But not this one - it was consistently interesting, and I learned quite a bit. The chapter on Lincoln and habeas corpus was especially strong.

Informative

The professor’s liberal bias was evident in every lecture culminating in the indoctrination of lectures 23 and 24. He claims to do his best to be objective but fails. There was good information throughout but the listener needed to use and filter his opinions for bias.

Blown away!

I went into this knowing the material can be a bit dry, but I was blown away by how riveting it was. So much information that wasn't given in public school nor college.
Truly enlightening and awakening, especially around how minorities and how long it has taken since the end of slavery to the soft of end of slavery we have today.

Great course and excellent reader

I found this an excellent course. Lots of content but the reader keeps it interesting, I think he strikes the right balance between technicality of constitutional law and the need to cater to a broad audience.

Fabulous

I enjoyed this immensely even though I was after outraged at so many things in the past of the US. Learned more from this than any class I have taken

Useful

Helps illuminate our current struggles in the context of history. It also sheds light on the current trends in our democracy, which are very worrying.