The Skeptic's Guide to American History

By: Mark A. Stoler, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Mark A. Stoler

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

Fascinating and informative

Taught me many new ideas about American history and gave me a framework for further study and interpretation.

Great Lectures and new perspectives!

Great Lectures and new perspectives!

I have a new understanding of US history. I'm looking forward to more lectures.

Best History Overview

This was the best history overview I've heard yet. I have taken History AP class but this one was more thorough

Realities Beyond the Myths

Excellent reflections and analyses on the myths of American history. I recommend this philosophically and historically astute lecture series.

outstanding!

Very useful and healthy perspective on our national story. I've already recommended it to several friends.

Interesting look at American history

I basically liked this course. I learned some things I didn't know before which helps me better understand the people and events that formed the country and world we live in today. It kept my interest and I never once thought of not finishing it.
The only point the lecturer made that I would strongly disagree with is a myth that is all too common. It has been repeated so many times that it is never challenged. What did he say? That WWII ended the Great Depression. War does not create wealth or a sustainable economy. It kills and destroys. IF WWII truly ended the Great Depression then the pathway for prosperity lays before us, let us by all means pack our aircraft carriers and ships of war with hundreds of thousands of members of the military, load them with all means of equipment...tanks, missiles, troop carriers, jets, etc...send them out into the ocean and have our subs sink them immediately. Just think of the prosperity, and we won't suffer damage to our infrastructure or that of any other nation. What ended the Great Depression was twofold, the cessation of the war...the ending of the destruction. The other event that helped end it was the death of FDR which ceased his meddling of the economy. Business activity was allowed to proceed as normal.

Great listen, very informative.

Very informative course on American history. I was initially worried that it would not be balanced, but I was wrong.

Review

As a frustrated Historian and practicing Physician, I absolutely loved this series. While I heard a few new facts, it was the manner that they were woven together which was so enjoyable.

I just want to say great. I don't want to type

great! I just want to say great. I don't want to type fifteen words. So there

Great book

It's a great book I'd recommend this for any history enthusiast. The lectures aren't boring at all.