Professor Merriman is highly knowledgeable about France and French history, but I wish he had a better appreciation for America and our history. He is fond of pointing out that America has civil rights, but no human rights. What planet does he live on? The most fundamental of all human rights is freedom, because all other rights depend on it. The United States has done more to promote and secure human freedom than any other nation in history, including securing the freedom of the French and other Europeans in the 20th century. Professor Merriman is a nice man, and I'm sure he means well. But he is misguided, I believe, by his ultra left ideology and apparent distaste for free-market capitalism. Perhaps he should be reminded that many of his Yale students are supported by parents that are products of this system and that they ultimately pay his salary and support wonderful institutions like Yale.

It made me move to France for a year.

Dr. Merriman is brilliant with extraordinary knowledge of French history, geography, and culture. Better yet, he is a natural and gifted teacher with a burning interest in his subject. I enjoy that he does not try to oversimplify -- historical influences are complex. And, without overdoing it, he gives us a sense of what ordinary men and women experienced in their lives.

I thought that the professor’s lectures were pretty informative. He surely knows his history. However, I have to give it 3 stars, because I thought his personal political beliefs infected his lectures. It was too difficult to determine where his political advocacy began and historical facts ended. He hates capitalism and the right; that much he makes clear . . . repeatedly. I wish he would just stick to relating his vast knowledge of history, rather than devolving lecture after lecture into why the left is awesome and the right is evil.

Fantastic ! Tremendous insights into France + French culture and character told with great wit, deep understanding and intelligence. Wish more of his lectures were available.

Merriman's lectures are awesome. Truly a man consumed with History. His organized but scatological approach sums it all up nicely. Thanks to Apple and Yale for providing access.