Before 1776: Life in the American Colonies

By: Robert J. Allison, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert J. Allison

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

New Perspectives and great insights

What made the experience of listening to Before 1776: Life in the American Colonies the most enjoyable?

I am researching the family tree in America from 1625 in Virginia and 1640 in New Hampshire. This series does a great job of describing each colony's progression and has explained migration issues and how native American blood lines entered the tree

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ben Franklin and Cotton Mather interactions

What about Professor Robert J. Allison’s performance did you like?

I could stay awake through his lectures any day

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

36 1/2 hour sessions

Any additional comments?

I have been through the material twice and still picking up info

Excellent Teacher ! Great Course!

This series presented a lot of information in an easy to absorb and interesting way. Loved it.

First Rate and Plenty Of It + free read see below

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Thirty six chapters and could do with 36 more. I even searched for orher presentations by Allison but found none.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Before 1776: Life in the American Colonies?

The captivity narratives.

Even discovered a free audio book "Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson" at librivox which was a treat. Done by volunteers. Not professional reading but well worth the time.

What about Professor Robert J. Allison’s performance did you like?

Animated

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Captivity narative.

Any additional comments?

All told quite a value.

So good!

Professor Allison was fantastic. The subject is well covered and covers a great deal of time before 1776. So well done, I know I'm going to be listening again. “AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY”

Worth a Listen

An opportunity to hear all the history you thought you knew, but did not. A book for every American to hear at least once.

Most excellent listen

I loved this course from beginning to end. Easy listening and so well done. Listened twice actually and learned something new each time!

Fascinating history lesson

Through review of all aspects of our countries origin including both positive and negative views. I enjoyed it from beginning to end

Cool

Learned things about the colonies I never knew about. Very good listen for anyone interested in the topic

Allison great courses on American Colonial period

Accurate, well prepared and presented, excellent notes and bibliography. Great accompanying pdf documentation. Courteous to his audience and listeners.

Indians and religion

Very interesting. Not your typical course material. A lot about which Indians lived in what regions.

I had hoped for a lecture or two devoted to typical dwellings and what foods they prepared and how they did it, how people lived in town versus farther out.

But was enjoyable and informative.