The Civil War and Reconstruction Era, 1845-1877 - Audio

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(HIST 119) This course explores the causes, course, and consequences of the American Civil War, from the 1840s to 1877. The primary goal of the course is to understand the multiple meanings of a transforming event in American history. Those meanings may be defined in many ways: national, sectional, racial, constitutional, individual, social, intellectual, or moral. Four broad themes are closely examined: the crisis of union and disunion in an expanding republic; slavery, race, and emancipation as national problem, personal experience, and social process; the experience of modern, total war for individuals and society; and the political and social challenges of Reconstruction.

This course was recorded in Spring 2008.

Recent Episodes

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Recent Reviews

JS415

Excellent lecture series

What happened in episode 23 with the protesting student? It didn’t make any sense. (Some student starts screaming for no apparent reason.) Despite the professor’s assignment of the now-discredited Civil War video series by Ken Burns, this is truly an excellent series of lectures that thoroughly explains the nature of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
SMRIL

This is what I thought an Ivy League education meant

I am not ‘Ivy League’ material. I will never go to Yale. I have a bachelors and masters degree, from decent universities, and a smattering of classes from various state and community colleges, because education is important. I mention these personal facts only to contextualize the following review: This is the best course I have ever heard. I learned more than in any class I actually got credit for. I think this class should be required listening for every person claiming to be an American citizen. I envy every student who had the privilege of attending this class.
danreview1111

The best

The best history podcast or course I’ve listened to. Wish I could be in the classroom.
MarkDouglasBallest

Time Machine

This must have been one packed classroom. His mastery of so many political cross currents of that time is remarkable. Not lost on me!
Internal Med APD

Outstanding

Professor Blight is a compelling speaker. The themes of his course are important to help one understand current political currents in the US today. Really fascinating and insightful.
RiverCritter

Fantastic course

I agree wholeheartedly with the review by Junebugg64. I will listen again and again. Really interesting to compare southern political strategy then to now, in 2022. So many similarities. Thank you for making this available I would love to get the reading list and syllabus!
Junebugg64

Amazing!!!

I have listened to these lectures numerous times. I have not heard, read or seen anything that provides the same level of detail, analysis, or insight into the Civil War. Dr. Bright is an amazing lecturer and writer. His lectures have brought me to tears on numerous occasions. Simply the best!
Kishinever

The best contemporary Civil War historian.

This is the best modern treatment of the war. He may be such a great educator because of his years in high school teaching; working with students that didn’t want to be there. Whatever the reason; I haven’t found as exciting a presentation since James McPherson’s Battle Cry of Freedom
Supeb Lectures

Lifelong Love for American History

I studied history formally and have enjoyed the subject for 65 years. David Blight is one our best Civil War historians. He writes well and teaches with passion and clarity. I love these Yale lectures. Superb in every way.
icyramen

did i cry during a podcast about the civil war? yes

I would give almost anything to take one of his classes in real life. I cried multiple times throughout the lecture series and learned so so much. We all need to reckon with our history in a critical and emotional way. Professor Blight beautifully synthesizes fact with raw emotion. Can’t recommend this podcast enough.
lori pinecrest

Simply the best

Superb lectures, excellent content and great delivery.
Richard Hull

Fantastic!

Fantastic lecture series. I’m a high school U.S. history teacher and listened to these talks while on a driving trip in the Southeast. Erudite, thought-provoking and at times deeply moving. Thanks Prof. Blight!
Sbuckhorn

Awesome

Awesome lecture series but not a traditional podcast for sure. I’ve enjoyed it all and relearned so much about the civil war. This is a jumping off point for further study. Read the books he uses.
Dr. WuTang

Essential Listening

I wish my high school history courses had been this detailed and informative. If more people understood this history I think our politics would be much different.
Bluesue6

My favorite podcast!

Highly recommend. My favorite podcast overall.
Disappointed buyer7

Ludicrously boring

In episode one, Professor Blight waxes about a former student who read the Yale Daily during Blight’s lectures. There’s a reason the student did that.
Loloserps

Exceptional.

I find this lecture series absolutely exceptional. I’ve listened to it in full 3 times.
OlaWord

Our Lazarus is not dead, he only sleeps

I cannot find the right words to describe how deep and amazing this lecture series is. When he ended episode 26 with a heartbreaking quote by Frederick Douglass, I almost cried.
SGoodbaum

Great course.

Professor Blight draws upon historical writings, literature, poetry and, of course, his own research to present the war, its lead in and its aftermath, in a most engaging and thought provoking way. He provides rich background and historical context, making the people and events we all have heard of more clearly understood and more deeply appreciated.
whipper dee

Cadence, Majesty, Foreboding

What an excellent series of aural experience. The early lectures have a gnomic quality, accentuated by Professor Blight’s Michigan drawl, as he sets the stage for the coming of the Great Accounting. A riveting introduction to the weeping 1850s & the Civil War & beyond. Very well done!
Eleazar_-

Wow

If he has a point it must not be very important because he never gets around to making it
BrienNoonan

Hooked After the First Few Lectures

This seems to be one of the best lecture series available. I’ve struggled to find a great Civil War review and I’ve definitely found one here.
Dreamweaver65

Crucial, gripping, and beautiful

Every American needs to know as much as they can about the social history of the Civil War. David Blight does an amazing job, and you definitely don’t need to be reading along to follow. It’s a great audio only experience. As a military buff himself, he does spend some time on the battles, if that’s what you’re here for. But he also leads through the rich political, economic, and social context, connecting it up to the present day.
Marinlady

Civil War and Reconstruction Era

In love with Frederick Douglass after “Patriot of Freedom”; now in love with its author, BRAVO! Why was I never blessed with a prof like him.🤗 dscriven
marissa alexandria

Outstanding

Beautifully done and highly engaging
Motuprt

Phenomenal series and great lecturer

David Blight knows this subject inside and out and is a pleasure to listen to.
kwixote

Engaging History by a Real Historian

This podcast is astounding. There's a lot of bad Civil War history out there (e.g., superficial, sensationalist, battle-focused or sentimentalized stuff), but this is the Real Thing: incredibly thoughtful, clear, well-organized -- yet somehow very soulful and nearly lyrical -- history delivered with grace and charm by somebody who understands its significance -- both then and now. Dr. Blight is at the top of his game. I can't imagine a better Civil War course, unless it would be to expand every lecture by another hour.
Dumole123

Outstanding

Each lecture left me wanting to hear more. Blight's reflections on the past force us to think about our present realities and human nature.
Spatior

Excellent and essential

You cannot be adequately informed on the most recent scholarship concerning the Civil War without encountering David Blight. Well done course, and exciting perspective on this period. Extremely relevant if you want to understand race relations today.
ParrisHicks

Amazing!

This is a wonderful class. The professor is incredibly knowledgeable and tells not just the facts but stories that make the facts personal. He humanizes the past in a way that makes it relatable and memorable. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about the civil war. As an added bonus for anyone on the fence, the professor's voice sounds just like Indiana Jones, so you can imagine Indy teaching your class!
Flylooper

Terrific Course!

Prof. blight is an outstanding lecturer. I was spellbound by his classes and his ability to flesh out the picture of the most horrific war in American history. Anyone lucky enough to take his course at Yale is, well, lucky as hell.
Josh46784425689

By the end, I was won over

This course covers the history of political attitudes and sentiment around the civil war. its not ken burns (burns doc is assigned material). i was a bit put off by the depressive funerary tone of the lecturer. he seemed overly austeer and seemed to be treading lightly around the subject... but this is the only iUniversity lecture ive heard where the speaker is interuppted by a heckler. and in this case it was a racist heckler. which amazed me! (ive listened to like 70 complete courses while walking the dog over the past few years).... wow. ok, point taken. by the end, i was able to appreciate the class for what it is rather than what i wanted it to be. profound. well worth your time...
complete_composure

:D

I wanted to brush up on my civil war history, and this course was perfect for it. Blight definitely talks at a good pace, maybe even a little slowly, so you can catch everything easily. This course definitely jogged my memory and taught me things I didn't even know. I also love the little tangents Blight goes on when he quotes from or talks about sources.
cubfan213

Excellent

Probably the best lecture series I have heard on the internet…on the Civil War or any topic...
nebomb

I wish I could have taken this class

Blight is amazing and the vast citing of information in these lectures is unparalleled.
SportsEd79

Masterly and not to be missed

Rip up your secondary school textbooks. Here is the real, unvarnished story of c. 1850-1876 told with passion and interdisciplinary erudition by Professor Blight.
Truly Concerned

Inspiring poet historian

I finished the whole audio course in 4 days. The citations to literature is alone a sufficient reason to listen to this course.
Worthy Buffalo

Fantastic

As a boy in Mississippi in the '70s I always wondered why the locals were so against integration. Now I have a much deeper understanding of the history behind the bigotry. You can tell that Blight has spent an extraordinary amount of time and energy researching and totally mastering the subject.
poxyank

Great Listen

Professor Blight is great. A true scholar who is able to delightfully convey his love for the topic. It is a joy to listen and learn.
Yards

Excellent

Interesting and engaging study of people and events of the US Civil War Listened several times and am still learning. Professor Blight is captivating.
DcrabtreeIV

the best out there

He is the best and most enrapturing speaker I've found on iTunes U. Every lecture feels like a TED talk.
Geg46

The best

This is what a course on audio should be. Serious yet engaging. Presented as only a eminent professor with many publication under his belt could accomplish. Just a real treat. I wish the other Yale casters would listen to this and take notes before they present their materials.
MGraceC

Excellent

Well organized, fascinating, great verbal manner. A pleasure to listen to...just wish I could have followed along with the visuals (outlines, maps, photos, etc.).
Gunblade77

Actually understand Reconstruction now

I have already learned quite a bit about the Civil War but could not fathom how important the period of Reconstruction was following the bloody conflict. Professor Blight is so detailed in his lectures that you can nearly imagine being there. He is humorous and his lectures are anything but dry. Also, there is a fun little surprise in episode 23.
Pulmmatt

Another Gabfest Convert

I also downloaded this podcast based on the Slate political gabfest recommendation. Outstanding. I couldn't stop listening to the lectures. His delivery is so fluid and conversational, yet there is so much information. There is so much more here the. Just the battles and dates. I just wish I knew the back story on the kid that yelled out in class in Episode 23.
LA Poage

Absolute Best Series

David Blight brings this time period to life with his vast knowledge on the subject. The only thing I could ask for is to actually be in the classroom.
Porkandmindy

Don't Miss This Series

I cannot say enough about this lecture series. Blight is engaging, personable, and, most of all, completely knowledgable about this topic. It was a real pleasure to take the journey with him. Do yourself a favor and listen.
TheVoice!!!

Fantastic.

Blight is a delightful speaker. I love this class. I highly recomemnd it to anyone whoi is interested in the Civl war. Made me interested in Ken Burns coumentry and I wound up pickin up E.L. Doctorw's "The March" becasue of this class.
Two Roads

Economics Major

...and I'm wishing I had majored in American History. This is an excellent podcast. Well done!
Kpstrat35

Great lectures

This was a recommend from the Slate political gabfest and am I glad I chose to listen. I could not have cared less about the Civil War before this series. David Blight is a great teacher and I wish more of his classes were here.

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