The Frontier in American History


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4 stars; 9 reviews)

Frederick Jackson Turner was an extremely influential U.S. historian, who is best known for his "frontier thesis", which proposed that American democracy was profoundly shaped by the existence of an undeveloped frontier area from the founding through the 1880s. He originally put forth his idea in the essay "The Significance of the Frontier in American History", published just three years after the frontier was "officially closed" in 1890. He continued to elaborate on the frontier thesis as well as the influence of sectionalism, and the unique contributions of the Midwest to American democracy. His theory and other writings are still debated by modern day historians. This work, The Frontier in American History, collects a number of Turner's essays and speeches, including "The Significance of the Frontier in American History." (10 hr 16 min)

Chapters

Preface 3:56 Read by LibriVox Volunteers
I - The Significance of the Frontier in American History - Part 1 12:50 Read by Josh Kirsh
I - The Significance of the Frontier in American History - Part 2 12:32 Read by Josh Kirsh
I - The Significance of the Frontier in American History - Part 3 12:10 Read by Josh Kirsh
I - The Significance of the Frontier in American History - Part 4 25:43 Read by Colleen McMahon
II - The First Official Frontier of the Massachusetts Bay - Part 1 11:52 Read by Josh Kirsh
II - The First Official Frontier of the Massachusetts Bay - Part 2 12:54 Read by Josh Kirsh
II - The First Official Frontier of the Massachusetts Bay - Part 3 16:08 Read by Josh Kirsh
III - The Old West - Part 1 12:41 Read by Josh Kirsh
III - The Old West - Part 2 11:30 Read by Josh Kirsh
III - The Old West - Part 3 12:15 Read by Josh Kirsh
III - The Old West - Part 4 12:05 Read by Josh Kirsh
III - The Old West - Part 5 16:07 Read by Josh Kirsh
III - The Old West - Part 6 14:02 Read by Josh Kirsh
III - The Old West - Part 7 7:10 Read by Josh Kirsh
IV - The Middle West - Part 1 12:09 Read by Josh Kirsh
IV - The Middle West - Part 2 12:44 Read by Josh Kirsh
IV - The Middle West - Part 3 15:00 Read by Josh Kirsh
IV - The Middle West - Part 4 16:59 Read by Colleen McMahon
V - The Ohio Valley in American History - Part 1 11:49 Read by Josh Kirsh
V - The Ohio Valley in American History - Part 2 12:10 Read by Josh Kirsh
V - The Ohio Valley in American History - Part 3 9:32 Read by Josh Kirsh
VI - The Significance of the Mississippi Valley in American History - Part 1 12:31 Read by Josh Kirsh
VI - The Significance of the Mississippi Valley in American History - Part 2 13:54 Read by Colleen McMahon
VI - The Significance of the Mississippi Valley in American History - Part 3 21:19 Read by Colleen McMahon
VII - The Problem of the West - Part 1 14:52 Read by Josh Kirsh
VII - The Problem of the West - Part 2 16:42 Read by Colleen McMahon
VIII - Dominant Forces in Western Life - Part 1 13:18 Read by Josh Kirsh
VIII - Dominant Forces in Western Life - Part 2 14:28 Read by Colleen McMahon
VIII - Dominant Forces in Western Life - Part 3 11:24 Read by Colleen McMahon
IX - Contributions of the West to American Democracy - Part 1 13:23 Read by Colleen McMahon
IX - Contributions of the West to American Democracy - Part 2 15:56 Read by Colleen McMahon
IX - Contributions of the West to American Democracy - Part 3 20:41 Read by Colleen McMahon
X - Pioneer Ideals and the State University - Part 1 19:15 Read by Colleen McMahon
X - Pioneer Ideals and the State University - Part 2 20:07 Read by Colleen McMahon
XI - The West and American Ideals - Part 1 11:07 Read by Josh Kirsh
XI - The West and American Ideals - Part 2 13:20 Read by Josh Kirsh
XI - The West and American Ideals - Part 3 12:26 Read by Josh Kirsh
XII - Social Forces in American History - Part 1 17:41 Read by Colleen McMahon
XII - Social Forces in American History - Part 2 15:16 Read by Colleen McMahon
XII - Social Forces in American History - Part 3 12:37 Read by Colleen McMahon
XIII - Middle Western Pioneer Democracy - Part 1 11:20 Read by Josh Kirsh
XIII - Middle Western Pioneer Democracy - Part 2 12:09 Read by Josh Kirsh
XIII - Middle Western Pioneer Democracy - Part 3 18:49 Read by Colleen McMahon

Reviews

American Democracy


(4 stars)

Frederick Jackson Turner's thesis that "American Democracy" grew out of the pressure on the individuals carving out lives on the frontier is intriguing. He continues building his argument well into the twentieth century. Having built my own micro-power grid attracted me to this audiobook. In comparison, I have it easy! My only complaint, with this 'book, is the mispronunciation of some East Coast towns and rivers. If you enjoyed this reading, "Woman on the American Frontier" focuses on females along the frontier, which is also available on LibriVox.

Great book, great narration


(5 stars)

Not sure what book previous reviewers were listening to, but I loved this book and narrator.

who won?


(2 stars)

apparently there was a race to see what narrator could read the fastest and the lowest volume.