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The American Civil War
- Narrated by: Gary W. Gallagher
- Length: 24 hrs and 37 mins
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The American Civil War
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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.
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What listeners say about The American Civil War
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Glenn G
- 28-12-21
This is a filling feast of knowledge
I knew very little about the American Civil War. Now I know a lot. Excellent lectures delivered by a master of the subject.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Shane Courtney
- 04-07-21
incredibly interesting & well told
Incredibly interesting due to the format & the narrator's obivious love & knowledge of the subject.
Really enjoyable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sniffa6049
- 04-12-21
A Joy
I enjoyed listening to this very much and ended up getting through it very quickly - couldn’t wait for the following lecture.
It seemed that every aspect of the conflict was covered, both North & South; pace, tone and accent was just right.
Highly recommended!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- the60sthrowback
- 04-05-18
Nice introduction to the conflict
The series provides a sound overview of the war and introduces themes that warrant greater study. A fine introduction to the subject.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- billyliar
- 15-08-20
Magisterial account
Fantastic coverage of all aspects of the civil war. The presenter presents competing perspectives and interpretations giving listeners a real sense of key debates. The political, social and military dimensions are all covered thoroughly. The first two i personally find most interesting so I admit to skipping some of the battle accounts. This is possible as each lecture is a relatively self-contained episode. Excellent.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Amazon Customer
- 09-09-16
A college course in an audiobook - fantastic!
If you could sum up The American Civil War in three words, what would they be?
In-depth, exciting and extremely informative!
Who was your favorite character and why?
Colonel Ellsworth - fascinating man with an almost unbelievable life story.
Have you listened to any of Professor Gary W. Gallagher’s other performances? How does this one compare?
No I haven't, but he's an excellent orator!
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The start of the Civil War and the spark that ignited its fuse in Fort Sumter.
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- Barry pubs dogs and jiving
- 01-05-15
Great account well presented
An excellent introduction to the American Civil War. Next up try Gary G's account of Lee and his generals.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 24-05-19
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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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Farniboy
- 26-09-17
A Good Overview of the American Civil War
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Anybody who enjoys history or military history will enjoy the book.
What does Professor Gary W. Gallagher bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
The guy knows his stuff. He delivers the lectures in a lively informative way.
Any additional comments?
A good overview of this pivotal moment in USA history. It touches on the causes of the war, the impact the war has on combatants and civilians, the cost of the conflict and the changes the war hand on the country as a whole.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- TonyH
- 23-10-21
Great story-telling from a natural communicator
This really is a terrific telling of the war from start to finish. Gary Gallagher is a natural communicator who tells the story in easily digestible chunks, while never losing the big picture. He clearly has a deep enthusiasm for the subject and this comes across in the way he speaks.
I see some reviewers are disappointed that this is 'not a book.' That's because this is a series of live lectures, and yes you therefore get some coughing and applause. But for me this just enhances the experience. You get to hear someone with a vast knowledge effortlessly communicating that to a real audience, not just sitting alone in front of a microphone reading from a script. Gallagher's lectures are uninterrupted and his focus is always strongly on the subject, so I would urge you not to worry about the fact it's not technically an audio-book.
Overall, if you want to get a good understanding of the American Civil War - the battles, the politics, the personalities, the causes and outcomes, I recommend this very highly. It is such a complicated subject, the best way to learn it is to listen to it told as a story. That's what this series does.
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