History of the United States, Vol. I


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.2 stars; 171 reviews)

Charles Austin Beard was the most influential American historian of the early 20th century. He published hundreds of monographs, textbooks and interpretive studies in both history and political science. He graduated from DePauw University in 1898, where he met and eventually married Mary Ritter Beard, one of the founders of the first greek-letter society for women, Kappa Alpha Theta. Many of his books were written in collaboration with his wife, whose own interests lay in feminism and the labor union movement (Woman as a Force in History, 1946).In 1921, Charles and Mary Beard published their History of the United States. A contemporaneous review stated: The authors… assume enough maturity in high school students to justify a topical rather than a chronological treatment. They have dealt with movements, have sketched large backgrounds, have traced causes, and have discussed the interrelation of social and economic forces and politics. All this has been directed to the large purpose of helping the student to understand American today in all its national characteristics and as part of world civilization as well…The literary style is exceptionally clear and crisp, and the whole approach…is thought producing. As a textbook or handbook for the average citizen it ranks with very best. (2 hr 43 min)

Chapters

Preface 7:03 Read by ML Cohen
The Great Migration to America/The Agencies of American Colonization 11:39 Read by JohnL
The Colonial Peoples 11:15 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
The Process of Colonization 12:03 Read by ontheroad
Colonial Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce/The Land and the Westward Movement 15:51 Read by rachelellen
Industrial and Commercial Development 18:52 Read by Sibella Denton
Social and Political Progress/The Leadership of the Churches 12:11 Read by Leon Mire
Schools and Colleges 6:40 Read by Sibella Denton
The Colonial Press 7:07 Read by Chris Chapman
The Evolution in Political Institutions 13:59 Read by Sibella Denton
The Development of Colonial Nationalism/Relations with the Indians and the Fren… 10:50 Read by tipaew
The Effects of Warfare on the Colonies 8:10 Read by Kara Shallenberg (1969-2023)
Colonial Relations with the British Government 17:56 Read by Sibella Denton
Summary of Colonial Period 10:17 Read by ML Cohen

Reviews

very interesting shook book history


(4 stars)

I have listened to all volumes a few years ago but I needed a booster shot. This information is valuable and after reading the intro you will realize that you are learning reasons and facts surrounding the issues. This can serve as the groundwork for biographies and even historical novels in the future. Good volunteer readers. Now, on to a re-read of volume 2 !


(3 stars)

the readers were not all of the same quality. some were difficult to understand, some had background noise, and the volume level changed from chapter to chapter which made it difficult to maintain concentration.

good info


(4 stars)

It's academic so it's somewhat dry and it's written at a high school level. It's worth listening to so far. Will check out the next volume. Readers are fine and comprehensible.

Good Listen


(4 stars)

the readers were all very clear and concise. They kept the reading at a good pace and there were only a small few technical difficulties


(5 stars)

Considered "liberal and progressive" when this material written, but by today's measure would be called "alt-right".


(3.5 stars)

the volumen is low... only that... the book is excelent

Good job


(5 stars)

Excellent book, well read.

Please! Slow down!


(2 stars)

Read way too quickly.