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The American Civil War cover art

The American Civil War

By: Gary W. Gallagher,The Great Courses
Narrated by: Gary W. Gallagher
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Editor reviews

Prominent American Civil War Historian Professor Gary W. Gallagher examines this merciless part of American history in The American Civil War, part of the Modern History series by The Great Courses. In this unabridged historical series narrated by Gallagher, listeners hear the war’s history, an analysis on how it started and what life was like for those caught within it. The most ruthless and deadly war America has ever seen is its own Civil War that ultimately led to the formation of the United States of America as it is known today. This book captures the birth of modern America. Available now from Audible.

Summary

Between 1861 and 1865, the clash of the greatest armies the Western hemisphere had ever seen turned small towns, little-known streams, and obscure meadows in the American countryside into names we will always remember. In those great battles, those streams ran red with blood - and the United States was truly born.

If you've ever wanted to understand the Civil War, this series of 48 startlingly evocative lectures by a leading Civil War historian can serve as both an ideal single course or a solid starting point for further exploration - a richly detailed examination of how this great conflict affected every person in America. For you'll gain not only a deep knowledge of what happened, but new insights into why.

You'll learn how both sides' armies were recruited, equipped, and trained, and about the hard lot of those they took prisoner. You'll hear how soldiers on each of those sides dealt with the rigors of camp life, campaigns, and the terror of combat. And you'll understand how slaves and their falling masters responded to the advancing war, as well as the desperate price paid by the families so many left behind.

Though this series of lectures goes far beyond a simple examination of battles and generals, it also offers detailed analyses of the strategic and tactical dimensions of the Civil War's most important campaigns. At the same time, it never forgets that the conflict involved far more than pins on a map - and indeed claimed a greater cost in human lives than all other American wars combined.

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

©2000 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2000 The Great Courses

What listeners say about The American Civil War

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Spectacularly great history.

Any additional comments?

I bought this because it looked excellent value and my intention was to get through it in about 12 weeks. I've had it a week now and I'm up to lecture 40 of 48 ! It has surpassed all of my expectations. It's compulsively interesting, told with great verve and authority, yet never solemn nor condescending. Every aspect of the war is covered, it's not in any way a succession of battles and skirmishes, although nothing is left out. There is fascinating discussion of politics, slavery, women's roles, social attitudes, economics, technology, you name it and you'll probably find it. Lincoln plays a massive role and it's interesting to get the low down on Grant and Lee. The pace is fast moving but not so fast you don't have time to picture and imagine it, just right in fact. I thoroughly recommend this to anyone who is interested in real history.

P.S. people complaining about the 'pompous' music at the start of each lecture ought to chill out, the one on here is Brandenburg concerto 2 by JS Bach. Get the album, it's sublime.

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24 people found this helpful

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Terrible

Volume up and down... Lots of coughing not a book, struggling to listen all the way through

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8 people found this helpful

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Thoroughly entertaining and authoritative.

A tremendous series of lectures. If you only get one account of the civil war, this should be the one. A breathtaking achievement by professor Gallagher.

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8 people found this helpful

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Very interesting and in-depth lectures on the Civil War

As someone from the UK, I learnt almost nothing about the American Civil War at school and certainly never pursued it as a subject afterwards.

I’d wanted a good insight into some US history and this seemed a good place to start.

It is genuinely interesting and detailed with analysis by a professor who clearly studies the subject in incredible detail and has a passion for the facts.

I highly recommend this for someone wanting to learn more about the War, the US before the 20th Century and give insights into modern America.

Note that these are a series of short lectures that are well done, but there is a slight pause and some terrible music between each. Thankfully, this is only short.

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6 people found this helpful

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excelkent, interesting, flowing, rivetting

A genuine american voice on the fascinating history of the cataclysm that still echoes today.
profoundly listensble, thorough yey never boring. well paced.
strongly recommend.

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2 people found this helpful

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History at its best

I would highly recommend this for anyone who wants to know the factors throughout the civil war that played major parts.

Also, unlike many books/lectures this book isn't biased to either side and is very instructive.

worth the buy for anyone interested in American history.

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    5 out of 5 stars

A resounding audio book.

A great base to enthuse further research into this fascinating period of American history. Broken down into logical chapters that covers not just the military perspective but also the social economics of the period.

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Deeper into the civil war

This is a most useful course for those who know something of the civil war and have an interest in the civil war.
I have read a little and travelled to a number of the key sites.
If you have the time and enthusiasm to listen to all 48 of Gary W Gallagher’s lectures then I believe you will find the time well spent.
This isn’t a performance but a series of carefully scripted “lectures” on multiple themes about the war, key event, key people and issues that impacted on the period.
A very useful and in-depth outline of the events and chronology which made me want to hear more.

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Gripping and comprehensive history lesson.

A really well researched and comprehensive account of the US Civil War. The author’s enthusiasm for the subject comes through really well. I would highly recommend this for anyone who has an interest in this subject, US history or even history in general. I found it detailed and even handed. It included chapters on the Black experience as well as women and civilians on both sides of the conflict which often get overlooked in the depiction of this massive conflict. Overall gripping and very informative.

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Brilliant, but could be perceived as tedious.

I thought this lecture was engaging and the architecture of how it’s put together brilliant.
Much much more in-depth then I initially thought. But that I think says more about my naivety then anything els. In my opinion this lecture would be essential listening for any body studying the American civil war. The detail is outstanding and I truly think no stone was left unturned.

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