Liberty on Trial in America

Cases that Defined Freedom

By: Douglas O. Linder, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Douglas O. Linder

We like to believe that the founding principle of the United States is liberty. “Give me liberty, or give me death!” Patrick Henry famously said in 1775 to encourage the Virginia colonists to fight for their freedom. It was liberty for which he was willing to sacrifice his life. So, you would think that when the United States of America was formed, our citizenry could finally enjoy a plethora of hard-won liberties.

But that was not the case. While the new Americans no longer suffered from taxation without representation, many of the liberties we enjoy today were not part of their lives. In Liberty on Trial in America: Cases that Defined Freedom, you will learn how liberty increased in our country when individuals sued for those freedoms, when cases were brought specifically to test the limits of the Constitution with its Amendments, and even when a jury in a local case returned an unexpected verdict that helped change the thinking of the times.

In 24 fascinating lectures, Professor Douglas O. Linder of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law takes you behinds the scenes of the trials that brought many of the liberties we enjoy today. You’ll learn what happened when Anne Hutchinson dared to speak her religious ideas in the Massachusetts Bay Colony of the 1600s, when Susan B. Anthony decided to vote in a national election, when activists promoted radical ideas in the 1880s in Chicago, when Jehovah’s Witnesses decided their children should not be forced to salute the American flag in school, and more.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 The Great Courses (P)2020 The Teaching Company, LLC

FANTASTIC LECTURES!

I listened with rapt attention to these lectures. Eaay to listen and understand the topics as the lecturer did a good job of giving the non-legal background along with how the law plays in to the actions of the plaintiffs/defendants in each of the cases discussed. Well done!

Tremendous!!!

Perhaps the greatest of the Great Courses! Everyone could find something interesting and inspiring in these lectures. Terrific story telling ability, a wealth of knowledge and passion for the subject. May need to listen again because I had so much fun.

engaging

I knew nothing about law coming in so I learned a bunch. I am a big nerd though so I wish it had more emphasis on legal theory.

Wonderful review of those important cases we always see mentioned but may not understand

These important cases, like Plessy vs. Ferguson, are often mentioned in the press but we lay people know little about them. Douglas Lindner is a wonderful lecturer who takes you into the story of these important cases and brings them to life. This is a really important book to all Americans who want to understand how we have evolved our legal beliefs and rights.

Excellent historical review

The book encourages further historical research. The instructor narrates each of the trials in an entertaining, meaningful and instructive way, I would love to hear a sequel,

Fascinating course

This course was very informative and well presented. The various cases were presented in narrative form and accessible for the legal layperson to follow and understand. Would definitely recommend.

A Broad Journey Through American Trials

Narration was lively, and the book offered a broad journey through legal land from the perspective of court cases.

Great overview of rights given through court history

I loved this overview. It needs to be updated given the recent overturning of Roe. However, it provides a meaningful overview of landmark cases. It helped me understand Citizens United with greater depth, but he did a nice job with each case.

Really interesting

I thought this might be a boring listening, but it was not. It was very interesting and I learned a lot. It was also well presented.

Informative and Inciteful

The courses cover 24 lectures of which show you some cases you may be familiar with and some you never heard of. In a partially unbiased fashion in order to inform the reader.