I learned so much.

I have a passion for history and I particularly enjoy learning about the UK and the USA. This was a very well delivered set of lectures by a man who is easy to listen to, knows his stuff and isn't too quick to rush to judgement. I learned so much I never knew before. Any stretch of history worth covering is complex and this lecture series (in my view) captures that complexity without drowning you in details. I highly recommend this.

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Very clear and enthralling lectures

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

I found these lectures fasinating. They were very clear individually but built together into a coherent story. I also found the Professor's conclusions convincing. But most important, it was a gripping listen and I couldn't wait to hear the next installment.

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

Most memorable moments were the Salem witch trails and the Boston Tea Party.

Have you listened to any of Professor Robert J. Allison’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I found the Professor's delivery engaging and clear.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The story of pre-revolution North America

Any additional comments?

Being from the UK, I had less background knowledge than American listeners and there are a lot of characters. I found it very useful to review the course notes after listening to a lecture to consolidate my understanding.

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surprisingly interesting

my reasons for buying this course were a bit random and I hadn't previously been very interested in US history, but I really enjoyed this. the stories and characters of the founding States were really fascinating.

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Excellent lectures, well delivered

Prof. Allison delivers an excellent set of lectures here, adding so much perspective and light to the history of USA which so often is only reported back to the declaration of independence. Obviously theres a reason for that. But to really understand USA you need to look back to the establishment of the colonies and the life they led before independence. These lectures fill that gap admirably. The Professor has a distinct speaking style. He speaks with a pleasant voice in a slow, melodious, continuous manner embroidered with a sort of sing song emphasis on words and phrases. To my ear its pleasant and makes it easier to take in the narrative.

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1 person found this helpful

Possibly my favourite history listen to date

Where does Before 1776: Life in the American Colonies rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

See headline title

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

go away

Which character – as performed by Professor Robert J. Allison – was your favourite?

irrelevant - what a surprise

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

The Death of Pocahontas. No just kidding, another stupid irrelevant question - It's a dry history !

Any additional comments?

Now with all the stupid Audible questions out the way I shall proceed.The good professor has an excellent delivery style, a dry wit and an engaging voice. He relates some quite minor events in some detail which paint a fascinating picture of life and development in all the colonies at various points over a span of some 250 years.Particularly interesting are the stories of the reasons for the establishment of all the 13 original colonies. The relationships with the various indian tribes was also enlightening and informative.In many ways this as much as a transplanted European History as much as it is an American History. When after all did these emigrants become distinctly American ?This is the sort of History of America so far removed from the usual stuff though towards the end Franklin and Washington do come into it.So much history we learn about just hits key points and joins dots; simplistic narratives we all doze off to. Some tales , such as Pocahontas are now so historically inaccurate as to be laughable . And it ain't all Disney's fault either.For anyone interested in well told properly researched primers histories of early America, I wonder if anyone could do better than this audiobook

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1 person found this helpful

good history, but beware if you're british

Good factual and interesting history, I would suggest it for everyone. However if you're like myself (british) there is a few instances in which you may get a little ticked off.

he constantly refers to the british settlers in North America as 'the English'...even when referencing history after the act of union and when there are a good amount of Scottish and welsh migrants to north America.

His American bias shows here and there, ofcourse it ended with the obligatory 'benjamin Franklin was the greatest' and the obvious god bless americaisms...but there are many instances that he references how ignorant all the english settlers were, and then when he goes on to talk about someone interesting or someone who did something impressive, they conveniently become virginian, or Bostonian or a colonist or even a few times he calls them 'american'. He speaks with much more enthusiasm about any of the individuals who were involved with independence than he does with everyone else before that or who weren't involved in that event.

apart from these things, it was a great series of lectures and all the history was interesting and entertaining.

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8 people found this helpful

Great reference book

I thought the lectures contained in the book are excellent. You can dip in and out of them, as you wish. Very good accurate information.
Very enjoyable!

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