Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
America: Empire of Liberty
- The Complete BBC Radio 4 Series
- Narrated by: David Reynolds
- Length: 20 hrs and 34 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
America: Empire of Liberty
Buy Now for £16.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
David Reynolds' major BBC Radio 4 series explores the origins of the contemporary United States from its beginnings to the present day.
This epic narrative tells America's story through the voices of those who lived it - presidents and farmers, mothers and children, settlers and soldiers, slaves and Indians. The series celebrates the country's achievements but also examines its paradoxes by investigating three abiding themes of American life: empire, liberty and faith.
"Empire of Liberty": from the arrival of Native Americans from Asia to the slave trade and the forced relocation of the Indians, the first series describes how the United States expanded to cover a whole continent, laying the foundations of a superpower - if the country could remain united.
"Power & Progress": the second series depicts the tragedy and heroism of the Civil War (1861-65), which finally ended slavery - though not racial discrimination - and the dynamism of the reunited nation as it grew into an industrial giant. America's role in the Second World War is also examined.
"Empire & Evil": the final series chronicles America's long struggle with the Soviet Union and examines the effect of that confrontation on American values, particularly in Vietnam and Watergate. The country's struggle to overcome its racist past led from the civil rights movement to its first black president. Also examined is the impact of Elvis on popular music, the battle over abortion and the story of the personal computer and the information revolution.
Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about America: Empire of Liberty
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- John
- 17-06-20
Essential listening...Beautifully told
David Reynolds is a fabulous historian... his ability to entertain while weaving the complex history of the United States of America Into a most accessible narrative is remarkable.... In addition to the BBC renowned production skills including actual original sound / archive recordings. This Is essential listening ... excellent..!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- jamie
- 17-09-19
David Reynolds is a Ledge
iv watched several of David Reynolds documentaries over the years and I think without a doubt he is one of the best storytellers out there.
Empire of Liberty is no exception, a great insight into American history told it in a way which keeps you gripped and interested.
A must for any history fans out there. loved it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr. Matthew R. L. Lee
- 25-08-22
easy listening march through US history
engaging and well paced and well narrated. thoroughly enjoyed every minute. thought provoking without getting overly heavy and pedantic
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Timedout
- 01-07-23
Superb journey through the history of the USA
I have enjoyed this so much I will no doubt listen again in the future. Full of many interesting facts that have widened my view on a number of issues. It has also been a sobering reminder of how so much changes in such a short time and how mistakes reverberate down the ages.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alice Parker
- 11-01-21
Fantastic overview of American History
Easily digestible and entertaining comprehensive history of the USA. The short, 15 minute chapters make it easy to keep up and the performance style keeps it from being dry.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Michael Morrissey
- 01-10-19
Excellent
Excellent on all fronts, the production and the interpretation. Really enjoyed if it jumped periods when dealing with certain topics. Highly recommend
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 25-10-22
Comprehensive and fascinating
A complete history of the United States of America. Fascinating listening for anyone that wants to learn about how the USA came to be how it is today
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 07-01-21
Absolutely fantastic.
Enjoyed it so much I bought the book too. Hopefully we'll see an update - plenty more recent history to talk about... (the day of the Capitol Hill riots...)
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Brian Saunders
- 28-08-24
Interesting and well-presented story.
I enjoyed the whole story, the use of multiple voices really adding to the effect.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!