I had the great good fortune of taking Gary Gallagher's Civil War course at Penn State during my undergraduate degree. It was one of the most memorable courses I took during my time there. His ability to place events in perspective and focus on all levels (cultural, personal, political, and geographical and more) is exceptional.
I purchased from The Teaching Company two lecture series by Prof. Gallagher on the American Civil War ("The Civil War" and "Robert E. Lee and His High Command"). In my opinion, they are the best such historical presentations on American history I have ever heard. I cannot recommend them too highly, either for novices or for those with more detailed knowledge. My only "complaint" is that The Teaching Company only has the two lecture series, and Prof. Gallagher does not have another one in the works. If anyone wants to job me DEMANDING another one (e.g., on the Reconstruction Era), be my guest. Neil Gieleghem
Neilist1001 I personally met Gary Gallagher in 2007. It was in Glendale, CA at a seminar for teachers. He is an amazing speaker. He is very passionate.
The only thing I would wish for with this series of lectures is a directional mic for the students or for Gary to reiterate questions. Otherwise this series (5 parts) is pretty fabulous.
As a “Citizen Historian”, I have found Dr. Gallagher to be one of the best Civil War Historians, I’ve come across, in any medium. I wish I had discovered him earlier, before his retirement from UVA. As an aside, his laugh is reminiscent of “Dasterdly Dog” if there is anyone here old enough to remember those cartoons. And yes, I do realize that this comment has managed to bring down the IQ level of this board.
Gary Gallagher is a wonderful lecturer and his historical perspective is a demonstration of the process theology of the Hegelian dialectic. The US Army Ranger School and the Command and General Staff College reflect a Hegelian aspect of progressive synthesis identical to the US Constitution. Gallagher's discussion of the differences between historians and lawyers in the treatment of evidence illustrates perfectly the constrast between synthetic and fascist processes. James Carse explores these distinctions in "Finite and Infinite Games". The difference between the Tory Socialism of Reaganomics and the Democratic Socialism of Eisenhower's 1956 Presidential Platform is a case study in the finite and the infinite games. Dr. Gallagher explains in this episode the nature of the American citizen soldier, which is a intended consequence of the 2nd Amendment and the mobilization and manpower requirement for the Civil War. Mobilization, along with Command, Organization, Training and Doctrine, are the 5 core elements of the Tradoc concept and they come to the US Army by way of von Steubin's Prussian influence as Washington's Inspector General. Another legacy from the 60s is FM 22-5: Dismounted Drill and Ceremony. The US Army, unique to all militaries which preceeded it, is organized around the Corps of Engineers as the core technology, as opposed to the manual arms of the Eupopean traditions, but the ghost of von Steubin persists and von Moltke influenced the development of the American general staff concept. The Framers of the US Constitution knew that they must depend upon the citizen soldier in this new Republic and they created the 2nd Amendment so that, when the emergency arose, the civilian leadership in the states had the immediate means of mobilizing its manpower. As in 1777, the Springfield Armory could supply all the guns either army could use. The significance of Gettysburg is the absolute existential validation of the efficacy of the proposition of the citizen soldier in a commonwealth characterized by a constitutional republic perfectly subordinate to the vote. The Turks had their soldier slaves and the US Army and CS Army had their republican soldiers, the American Cincinnatus. That's why Gettysburg is a turning point: not in the Civil War, as Gallagher, but in the nature of warfare, itself. In this regards, I have always considered The Killer Angels and "Gettysburg" to be tributes to the Vietnam era draftee regardless of where his duties may have taken him, but especially who actually fought the war. I had an ROTC commission and was never subject to the draft but I once made a speech in Vietnam very similar to the speech to the Massasschutes volunteers Joshua Chamberlain makes imploring them to serve in one more battle, explaining my thinking to my platoon regarding people like Jane Fonda going to Hanoi. Before I had come to Vietnam, I had planned on making the military a career, but, at that moment, I already had decided to leave the service but it wasn't because of them nor combat nor even the Army : I knew why I came to Vietnam and I haven't changed my mind at this writing and I explained to them that the reason I came to Vietnam to make sure that it was possible for Jane Fonda to go to Hanoi and protest me being in Vietnam and return to her way of life and career without being molested by the government for exercising her 1st Amendment rights. That was an important difference between America of the Beach Boys and the Soviet Union. And it was worth the personal sacrifice to be part of the republican mechanisms established to obtain that intended consequence of the whole damn thing. For that reason, my identification with Chamberlain before the fact, I've always considered "Gettysburg" to be one of the best movies about Vietnam, up there with "Hamburger Hill" and "Platoon". It's a tribute to the draftees I had the honor to command. The conventional wisdom, from lifers like Colin Powell to National Guard pukes like John Bolton and tough-talking, pro-war crypto-Nazi draft-dodgers who were scared shitless of going to Vietnam like Ted Nugent, Newt Gingrich, Bil O'Reilly and Trump, was that the draftee fucked up Vietnam. That is the entire premise behind the All Volunteer Military: the senior officers (and Democrat politicians) who fucked up the war blamed the dope-smoking, long-haired draftees for their own moral collapse after Tet 1968 and created what amounts to a permanent slander to those citizen soldiers. The mythology of the Vietnam draftee/citizen soldier is part of the fabric of the current Army culture. It's this whole "warrior/hero" conceit that tempts the "open carry" ammosexuals into poses of stolen valor in a "thank you for your service" kind of way and Tobey Keith's chicken shit attack of the Dixie Chicks. The Pentagon actively obstructed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial until the Carter people realized after the US Embassy was seized in Tehran that, if they were going to get the soldiers they needed for Desert Storm (which the Army had already redesigned the Army Ranger School with desert training in anticipation), they needed to stop shitting on the soldiers who fought in the last war and gave Jann Scruggs the green light for The Wall. It is all part of the Oliver Stone version of Vietnam I've been on a staff ride of Gettysburg with an author to the AirLand Battle and Corps Tradoc pamphlet in 1991 or so. He was a friend of my dad's and worked for Donn Starry back in the day. The doctrine is now obsolet. One last thing: Dr. Gallagher explains the virtues of the interior line in the military calculus. The design of the Pentagon emerges from the interior line. It is the largest office building in the world and you can get from any point to any other point in the building in 10 minutes or less.
A very cogent expression of a Vietnam era baby boomers understanding of the state of this union. I too decry the disappearance of the citizen soldier. I have also added “crypto Nazi draft dodger” and “open carry ammosexual” to my lexicon.
I think Gallagher missed the key importance of the Valley Campaign, that it drew tens of thousands of reinforcements away from McClellan on the peninsula.
Totally agree. I can't remember which historian it was who said that the Shenandoah valley was like a shotgun pointing at Washington. As long as an army was there, then it had to be opposed.
I think you missed his point. He said that IF Richmond had fallen and IF the war had ended in 1862 THEN the Valley campaign would be a footnote to history.
As a European I can assure you fellows that you overemphasize the importance of your democracy a bit. Worked for you but why would it mean that it works for EVERYONE? Do you really think all the people of the world are just the same as you are? You know, you don't have to try to redeem the rest of the world. You just don't. Other than that - brillian lecture. I have to make notes of all the important new information I heard about the civil war before I forget where I gathered them from. Really illuminating.
Mr. Gallagher is an engaging, enlightening and passionate educator. I love listening to him and have learned so much through his lectures. He brings us back to what the civil war was vs what some would like it to be. And to the European commentator.... I am not an American either, but I feel you have missed the point when you say that Mr. Gallagher exaggerates the importance of their democracy. I think his comment in this lecture accurately reflects the sentiments of 1860’s America. He is presenting how Americans saw the issue at the time, not exaggerating its importance in today’s world. Let’s face it ... the US was a singular and bold experiment.
@sierrahun1 ~ I think you have a good point in that democracy has to come from within, it can not, and should not be imposed from without. Once you have it, you have to maintain it. And that is no easy trick. But having said that, like the Abolitionists, some of us Americans hate to see tyranny win. Other Americans , not so much.
you my like marie lapen you keep him I grieve for my country my government of the people by the ppl for the people it is perishing from the face of the earth..
This is a lecture about the Civil War in the USA, not a European or African country. The United States isn't a democracy---but a Constitutional, federal Republic. No, it doesn't work for 'everyone', but this lecture most assuredly IS about the origins and trials of the USA, NOT other countries. And, NO; the rest of the world ISN'T the same as the United States. That's what makes each country unique. To understand Gettysburg and it's poignancy to the Civil War, is to understand how the United States became a progressive, modern country.
As he points out time and again, the USA of 1860 is NOT the USA of the 21st century. Europe in 1860 was primarily ruled by kings or despots, Africa was largely colonized or tribal, Asia colonized or autocratic. USA was the democratic beacon that thousands were willing to risk everything including their lives to reach and maintain. Personally I wish the USA would keep its nose out of other peoples' business unless it endangers our own.
![Thomas Jefferson and the problem of union [12/2/14]](/img/n.gif)
I had the great good fortune of taking Gary Gallagher's Civil War course at Penn State during my undergraduate degree. It was one of the most memorable courses I took during my time there. His ability to place events in perspective and focus on all levels (cultural, personal, political, and geographical and more) is exceptional.
I purchased from The Teaching Company two lecture series by Prof. Gallagher on the American Civil War ("The Civil War" and "Robert E. Lee and His High Command").
In my opinion, they are the best such historical presentations on American history I have ever heard. I cannot recommend them too highly, either for novices or for those with more detailed knowledge.
My only "complaint" is that The Teaching Company only has the two lecture series, and Prof. Gallagher does not have another one in the works. If anyone wants to job me DEMANDING another one (e.g., on the Reconstruction Era), be my guest.
Neil Gieleghem
Neilist1001 I personally met Gary Gallagher in 2007. It was in Glendale, CA at a seminar for teachers. He is an amazing speaker. He is very passionate.
I love the Teaching Company/Great Courses but my favorite author is still Bruce Catton I love that guy, anyway...
Great historian and teacher
The only thing I would wish for with this series of lectures is a directional mic for the students or for Gary to reiterate questions. Otherwise this series (5 parts) is pretty fabulous.
As a “Citizen Historian”, I have found Dr. Gallagher to be one of the best Civil War Historians, I’ve come across, in any medium. I wish I had discovered him earlier, before his retirement from UVA.
As an aside, his laugh is reminiscent of “Dasterdly Dog” if there is anyone here old enough to remember those cartoons. And yes, I do realize that this comment has managed to bring down the IQ level of this board.
Gary Gallagher is a wonderful lecturer and his historical perspective is a demonstration of the process theology of the Hegelian dialectic. The US Army Ranger School and the Command and General Staff College reflect a Hegelian aspect of progressive synthesis identical to the US Constitution. Gallagher's discussion of the differences between historians and lawyers in the treatment of evidence illustrates perfectly the constrast between synthetic and fascist processes. James Carse explores these distinctions in "Finite and Infinite Games". The difference between the Tory Socialism of Reaganomics and the Democratic Socialism of Eisenhower's 1956 Presidential Platform is a case study in the finite and the infinite games.
Dr. Gallagher explains in this episode the nature of the American citizen soldier, which is a intended consequence of the 2nd Amendment and the mobilization and manpower requirement for the Civil War. Mobilization, along with Command, Organization, Training and Doctrine, are the 5 core elements of the Tradoc concept and they come to the US Army by way of von Steubin's Prussian influence as Washington's Inspector General. Another legacy from the 60s is FM 22-5: Dismounted Drill and Ceremony. The US Army, unique to all militaries which preceeded it, is organized around the Corps of Engineers as the core technology, as opposed to the manual arms of the Eupopean traditions, but the ghost of von Steubin persists and von Moltke influenced the development of the American general staff concept. The Framers of the US Constitution knew that they must depend upon the citizen soldier in this new Republic and they created the 2nd Amendment so that, when the emergency arose, the civilian leadership in the states had the immediate means of mobilizing its manpower. As in 1777, the Springfield Armory could supply all the guns either army could use.
The significance of Gettysburg is the absolute existential validation of the efficacy of the proposition of the citizen soldier in a commonwealth characterized by a constitutional republic perfectly subordinate to the vote. The Turks had their soldier slaves and the US Army and CS Army had their republican soldiers, the American Cincinnatus. That's why Gettysburg is a turning point: not in the Civil War, as Gallagher, but in the nature of warfare, itself.
In this regards, I have always considered The Killer Angels and "Gettysburg" to be tributes to the Vietnam era draftee regardless of where his duties may have taken him, but especially who actually fought the war. I had an ROTC commission and was never subject to the draft but I once made a speech in Vietnam very similar to the speech to the Massasschutes volunteers Joshua Chamberlain makes imploring them to serve in one more battle, explaining my thinking to my platoon regarding people like Jane Fonda going to Hanoi.
Before I had come to Vietnam, I had planned on making the military a career, but, at that moment, I already had decided to leave the service but it wasn't because of them nor combat nor even the Army : I knew why I came to Vietnam and I haven't changed my mind at this writing and I explained to them that the reason I came to Vietnam to make sure that it was possible for Jane Fonda to go to Hanoi and protest me being in Vietnam and return to her way of life and career without being molested by the government for exercising her 1st Amendment rights. That was an important difference between America of the Beach Boys and the Soviet Union. And it was worth the personal sacrifice to be part of the republican mechanisms established to obtain that intended consequence of the whole damn thing.
For that reason, my identification with Chamberlain before the fact, I've always considered "Gettysburg" to be one of the best movies about Vietnam, up there with "Hamburger Hill" and "Platoon". It's a tribute to the draftees I had the honor to command. The conventional wisdom, from lifers like Colin Powell to National Guard pukes like John Bolton and tough-talking, pro-war crypto-Nazi draft-dodgers who were scared shitless of going to Vietnam like Ted Nugent, Newt Gingrich, Bil O'Reilly and Trump, was that the draftee fucked up Vietnam. That is the entire premise behind the All Volunteer Military: the senior officers (and Democrat politicians) who fucked up the war blamed the dope-smoking, long-haired draftees for their own moral collapse after Tet 1968 and created what amounts to a permanent slander to those citizen soldiers.
The mythology of the Vietnam draftee/citizen soldier is part of the fabric of the current Army culture. It's this whole "warrior/hero" conceit that tempts the "open carry" ammosexuals into poses of stolen valor in a "thank you for your service" kind of way and Tobey Keith's chicken shit attack of the Dixie Chicks. The Pentagon actively obstructed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial until the Carter people realized after the US Embassy was seized in Tehran that, if they were going to get the soldiers they needed for Desert Storm (which the Army had already redesigned the Army Ranger School with desert training in anticipation), they needed to stop shitting on the soldiers who fought in the last war and gave Jann Scruggs the green light for The Wall. It is all part of the Oliver Stone version of Vietnam
I've been on a staff ride of Gettysburg with an author to the AirLand Battle and Corps Tradoc pamphlet in 1991 or so. He was a friend of my dad's and worked for Donn Starry back in the day. The doctrine is now obsolet.
One last thing: Dr. Gallagher explains the virtues of the interior line in the military calculus. The design of the Pentagon emerges from the interior line. It is the largest office building in the world and you can get from any point to any other point in the building in 10 minutes or less.
A very cogent expression of a Vietnam era baby boomers understanding of the state of this union. I too decry the disappearance of the citizen soldier. I have also added “crypto Nazi draft dodger” and “open carry ammosexual” to my lexicon.
Is there anyway to know/get the reading material from this class?
Check for staff rides for different battlefields. In this case Gettysburg. Also the US Army War College guide to those battlefields.
An actual historian teaching actual history. What a novel concept these days.
Brilliant ...
Gallagher es un crack.
Your a lost cause M M ~
32:00 'solamente uno Jorge'
Lee Eric Lee Thomas Robinson Kenneth
Jones Karen Perez Thomas Harris Richard
White Brenda Robinson Karen Gonzalez Anthony
SPEAK UP
I think Gallagher missed the key importance of the Valley Campaign, that it drew tens of thousands of reinforcements away from McClellan on the peninsula.
Totally agree.
I can't remember which historian it was who said that the Shenandoah valley was like a shotgun pointing at Washington.
As long as an army was there, then it had to be opposed.
I think you missed his point. He said that IF Richmond had fallen and IF the war had ended in 1862 THEN the Valley campaign would be a footnote to history.
He misses on lot but people just eat him.
As a European I can assure you fellows that you overemphasize the importance of your democracy a bit. Worked for you but why would it mean that it works for EVERYONE? Do you really think all the people of the world are just the same as you are? You know, you don't have to try to redeem the rest of the world. You just don't. Other than that - brillian lecture. I have to make notes of all the important new information I heard about the civil war before I forget where I gathered them from. Really illuminating.
Mr. Gallagher is an engaging, enlightening and passionate educator. I love listening to him and have learned so much through his lectures. He brings us back to what the civil war was vs what some would like it to be. And to the European commentator.... I am not an American either, but I feel you have missed the point when you say that Mr. Gallagher exaggerates the importance of their democracy. I think his comment in this lecture accurately reflects the sentiments of 1860’s America. He is presenting how Americans saw the issue at the time, not exaggerating its importance in today’s world. Let’s face it ... the US was a singular and bold experiment.
@sierrahun1 ~ I think you have a good point in that democracy has to come from within, it can not, and should not be imposed from without. Once you have it, you have to maintain it. And that is no easy trick. But having said that, like the Abolitionists, some of us Americans hate to see tyranny win. Other Americans , not so much.
you my like marie lapen you keep him I grieve for my country my government of the people by the ppl for the people it is perishing from the face of the earth..
This is a lecture about the Civil War in the USA, not a European or African country. The United States isn't a democracy---but a Constitutional, federal Republic. No, it doesn't work for 'everyone', but this lecture most assuredly IS about the origins and trials of the USA, NOT other countries. And, NO; the rest of the world ISN'T the same as the United States. That's what makes each country unique. To understand Gettysburg and it's poignancy to the Civil War, is to understand how the United States became a progressive, modern country.
As he points out time and again, the USA of 1860 is NOT the USA of the 21st century. Europe in 1860 was primarily ruled by kings or despots, Africa was largely colonized or tribal, Asia colonized or autocratic. USA was the democratic beacon that thousands were willing to risk everything including their lives to reach and maintain.
Personally I wish the USA would keep its nose out of other peoples' business unless it endangers our own.