Turning Points in American History

By: Edward T. O'Donnell, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Edward T. O'Donnell

Length: 24 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

These 48 lectures are your chance to relive the most groundbreaking moments in the fascinating story of the United States. They offer you a different perspective on the sweeping narrative of U.S. history. Spanning the arrival of the first English colonists to the chaos of the Civil War to the birth of the computer age and beyond, this lecture series is a captivating and comprehensive tour of those particular moments in the story of America, after which the nation would never be the same again.

Taking a chronological approach, Professor O'Donnell gives you new ways to understand American history and to appreciate it as a grand narrative pinpointed with key moments that changed things forever. Each lecture focuses on a single turning point, explaining the conditions that led up to it, immersing you in the experience of the event itself, and exploring its immediate and long-term ramifications.

Among the great turning points you'll investigate in depth are the trial of John Peter Zenger (1735), which popularized the ideas that freedom of the press is essential to liberty; the battle of Antietam (1862), which eliminated the possibility of England and France intervening on behalf of the Confederacy; and the Watergate scandal (1974), which signaled a heightened level of public distrust toward elected officials. Along the way, Professor O'Donnell often dispels some intriguing myths and half-truths about American history and provides an honest, unabashed look at the subject matter. These lectures are packed with unfamiliar anecdotes, stories, and side notes that just may change your views on the grand narrative of American history.

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

©2011 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2011 The Great Courses

Exceptional on every level

Each lecture was masterfully done and provided valuable insight into key historical events throughout American history.

good overview

interesting well-paced topics from the beginning of the country to 911 interesting points are showing the ramifications post events on how it changed the path of our future

Excellent in all areas.

The lectures are well done and included items are interesting. The performance is easy to listen to.

A Thought Provoking Listen

This was a very thought-provoking lecture series. It made me realize the importance of singular moments in our history. I will certainly take that message home with me and hopefully learn from it.

great story telling

Well organized series of punchy and accessible lectures on US history. Easy to listen to, wish more US Citizens knew the history of the United States.

Great run through American history

I hated history in school so I missed a lot of these events and the significance of them. The lecturer was excellent. He kept the discussions fair and balanced, always presenting both sides in fair light.

Informative and Entertaining

O'Donnell is an engaging lecturer who weaves together a story of our American history through important turning points. Some are surprising and sometimes forgotten, but he never fails to make the case for how each point has molded and shaped our country to where it is today. I would listen again.

loved it

great storyteller and speaker. helps clarify the importance of the stories you know and those you don't

Great History Crash Course!

What did you love best about Turning Points in American History?

I loved that it was exactly as the title described... turning points in American history. It outlines key events - some widely known and some not - that were pivot points in our republic.

important course

lecturer stumbles at times but the information and research is excellent, listen more than once.