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Before 1776: Life in the American Colonies cover art

Before 1776: Life in the American Colonies

Written by: Robert J. Allison, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Robert J. Allison
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Publisher's Summary

The history of colonial America is a story of extraordinary scope, with Europeans, Africans, and the native peoples of North America interacting in a drama of settlement and conflict that lasted nearly three centuries. Go back in time and relive this epic story in 36 spellbinding lectures.

While concentrating on British North America, Professor Allison also covers developments in the colonial outposts of Spain, France, the Netherlands, and the all-important British possessions in the West Indies, which were the source of the most lucrative crop in the New World - sugar - and the reason for the enormous growth in the slave trade.

As you'll discover, the colonies were often turbulent, dangerous places. You'll learn about Indian wars, slave revolts, witch persecutions, rampant piracy, and other upheavals, as well as the gradual cementing of social order and the development of customs that made the colonies distinct - and difficult for the British government to rule.

These lectures build toward a discussion of the roots of the rebellion that succeeded in toppling the colonial system - the American Revolution - covering its long gestation and closing with an examination of the meaning of the Declaration of Independence.

In fundamental ways, the world we know today emerged from the tempestuous and eventful history of colonial America. Deepen your appreciation for this formative era with these historically rich, captivating, and highly informative lectures.

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

©2009 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2009 The Great Courses

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Fascinating, Moving, Informative Account

As a Canadian, I've been exposed to some key moments of the American Colonial experience, but have been looking for a more comprehensive presentation for some time. I certainly found what I was looking for in this set of lectures.

The material is very well presented and explained, in an empathetic and understanding way -- which feels important to me, given that there are many sides to each story, many of which (sides) have not been recorded for historians to examine.

I enjoyed the Prof's relaxed style of delivery. I've found that some newer Great Courses have the prof reading a text, which causes them to load up the material in each lecture, and to speak quickly to get all the written material in, in the required time. In addition, written sentences work less well in an oral format. This course is the opposite of that: easy to listen to, intimate, well paced.

Thank you for this wonderful experience, which I will listen to again!

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