The Abolitionists

by Kellie Carter Jackson, The Great Courses

The movement to abolish slavery transformed the political, social, and moral landscape of the United States forever. Though it began as a largely pacifist campaign to sway hearts and minds, the abolitionist movement became a protracted and impassioned battle for the very soul of a nation.

While most of us are familiar with the Underground Railroad, there was much more to the movement than helping individuals escape their bondage. In the eight lectures of The Abolitionists, Professor Kellie Carter Jackson of Wellesley College will bring you along as she traces the history of the fight to end slavery in America, from its relatively quiet origins to the turning point at Harper’s Ferry to the Civil War. Along the way, you’ll meet many of the leaders, activists, and agitators that created and sustained the cause of abolition and see how they used everything from political clout to storytelling to physical force to achieve their goals.

The Civil War may have ended the legal right to own slaves on US soil, but it was only the start of the battle for true freedom and equality in the decades to come. By understanding the full story of the movement and its aftermath, you’ll see why the constitutional, economic, and moral questions that arose in the era of abolition are still very much alive today.

©2025 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2025 Audible Originals, LLC.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, American History

Audible Audio

Published February 13, 2025

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot but wished it had been longer and more in-depth.

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent content but with no real knock out moments. Carter is clearly very knowledgeable and a very fluid presenter. It's unfortunate that this Audible original is so concise. Her book which she makes several references to, sounds like a must read. I blame the 'originals' format for my lower review.

[Oscar Lilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An abridged but fairly thorough rundown of the abolitionist movement with a greater focus on the sacrifices and successes of black abolitionists in particular.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed like an attempt to present an abridged version of the Abolitionist movenent

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

This audiobook course is a quick summary of rise and dispersal of the abolitionists... those who opposed slavery. They were not a homogeneous group. Some went for passive resistance, others tried to reason with their fellows. Others used violence. The professor attempts to focus on the influence that black leaders had on the white leaders who are often cited as the history-makers.

I appreciate the change in point of view. I think the professor make a little too much of this idea, but doesn't go overboard. At times I thought it was a lot of conjecture based on very little data, and it probably was. Nevertheless, it was a good, reasonable effort and didn't sound nutty, as some of these sort of treatments tend to be. (Frankly, I've heard some really nutty things on podcasts claiming to be the "real history". It can get really weird.)

I am not sure if I will listen to this lecture again... perhaps I would while listening to other works on the subject.

[Hunter Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing idea and vitally important topic. The author however ends up telling us summaries and not showing us and demonstrating and teaching us about the abolitionists. The entire last lecture is a great example that comes across as preaching not teaching. My personal hero is Frederick Douglass. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is one of the most life changing books I have ever read and I truly believe every American (if not citizen of this planet) should read this book. She does talk about him a little but there is no depth to anything she says. I might humbly suggest reading Douglass and his experiences rather than this lecture series.

[Char · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a set of 4 short lectures about a few of the more famous abolitionists, the underground railroad, and the horrors of slavery. I didn't really learn anything new, but it refreshed my memory of our country's history and how ugly it sometimes was. (And sadly, sometimes still is.)
This came free with my Audible plan.
*Read on 2.28.25. Removing reading dates so as not to count towards my reading goal for the year.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting listen! Owen Brown (John Brown's son) is buried in my town in California, and I realized I didn't know much about the abolitionists. Kellie Carter Jackson is the perfect scholar and narrator to teach this mini-course. It's breezy without being simplistic, and it covers some overlooked people and topics in the history of the abolition of slavery in the US.

[MG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful survey of the abolitionist movement, which gives proper attention to its Black leaders as well as the many women involved. This works well as a brief introduction to this divisive but instructive time in American history.

[AttackGirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first a Great Course that I was not impressed with perhaps it’s the constant discussion in daily life in everything shocking the churches are full of the people and yet they haven’t seem to understand the book.

Talk about misquoting the Bible… ….how funny.

[Brooklyn Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic series of essays and lectures. Challenges modern day thoughts on the Abolitionist Movement, while also giving an easy to follow timeline showcasing many pivotal people and events. Short and free on audible!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting. Definitely learned a lot.

[Lee Radford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of great insights for such a short set of lectures.

[Otis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short simple straightforward book. I rate the book 3.5 stars. Good information.

[Nikki Edmonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Steve Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jackson introduces the reader to abolitionists and aspects of the abolition movement that most readers never learn in school. I certainly didn’t learn them.

It’s worthwhile listening to. I for one am going to check out her books.