The American Civil War cover art

The American Civil War

Preview

Try for $0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The American Civil War

Written by: Gary W. Gallagher, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Gary W. Gallagher
Try for $0.00

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $49.00

Buy Now for $49.00

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

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 My Library section along with the audio.

©2000 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2000 The Great Courses
Americas Military
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What listeners say about The American Civil War

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    71
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    61
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    64
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Really enjoyed this audio series.

I enjoyed learning about the politics and the life in and around the Civil War, not just the battles.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved it

2 months of my life doing this course. loved every minute of the narration and I learned lots. thanks Great Courses!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

knowledge

lots of knowledge of the civil war, very interesting to learn and listen to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent and well written

A fascinating, well structured and uncomplicated history of the US Civil War. I loved it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

👍

My first dive into American Civil War and I found this to be a very easy listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best civil war encapsulation

Hats off to Professor Gallagher. At the end of the course he disclosed that despite all of his studies regarding the civil war, he remains fascinated by the subject. And you can tell- his explorations of the battles and the deep dives into the lives of both soldiers and non-combatants- his fairness in trying to understand both sides of the story (a refreshing change in todays polarized politics)- his humble yet clearly leading knowledge of the subject… outstanding—great job Professor Gallagher! I’m a Canadian who spends a fair amount of time living in the southern USA - not in the tourist areas but where the true southerners live. I’ve come to respect the culture- and the people. As such I spend a fair amount of time in study of their history (along with the American revolution) with both awe and inspiration. This course is (so far) the best “reading” I’ve come across in my understanding of American pride. I’m grateful for Professor Gallaghers insights and humble yet entertaining accounts of the civil war. If I could assign more than 5 stars to this course I would !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Comprehensive Narrative

All aspects of the Civil War are taken into account in this book which is broken up into logical and easily digestible 30- minute chapters. It is well done.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent overview

Does not seem to be influenced by an agenda. You get the impression that there is an unbiased approach

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!