This guy is funny. One class, he spent 20 minutes talking about his wife's food

Class is fun. This guy is insane.

Great professor. Very interesting and entertaining. Lots of reading however.

Puts up a front, but very easy grader. you dont have to read ALL the books he assigns.

Excellent professor, one of my favorite and definitely among the best. Passionate and knowledgeable about the subject matter, very helpful, and makes class as enjoyable as possible. Tough grader, though.

RU would have no history department without Bill Gillette. NJ History was difficult, but I learned more than I ever expected. Uses a good combination of lectures and videos to make his class interesting. I just wish he could figure out how to use the VCR

Great professor and person. Willing to listen to you but you must be able to defend yourself.

Gillette is interesting. Sex and mint julups is what he's all about. He's a good teacher, but needs to stop being so anal with his stupid 2 page word list that you can't use in your papers.

If Rutgers had more professors like Bill Gillette, we'd all be better off. Funny guy with an ego, but what professor doesnt? Very helpful on the papers and even takes kids sailing when schools out.

Definite Lefty, but an overall nice guy.....once you got to know him.

very entertaining, highly recommend

Extremely entertaining, knowledgeable, and approachable. He makes the three hour lecture exciting.

This guy is absolutely bonkers, he screams all the time. It's so funny hearing him complain about the Republicans and everything else he hates. The man should either be in a mental ward or on Comedy Central, I'm not sure. He's just hilarious. PS. DON'T SMASH AND BASH NEW JERSEY

One of the most entertaining teachers at Rutgers. Lectures are easy to follow cause he outlines them for you. He rants are hilarious. Hates Republicans, but I don't blame him. Papers are kinda hard, but as long as you half read the books you'll probably get a B.

Stop the belly aching! He's tough and life's tougher. If you want an easy "A" take Ceramics. I had him 13 years ago (1992) for my Senior Research Paper and I'm glad to see he hasn't lost his edge.

Oh man I loved this guy...1) i am a republican and i loved hearing his anti-bush ramblings b/c he foams at the mouth and its amusing 2) his lectures on ww2,vietnam,etc are real indepth and real informative...just go to his office hours and get help on the papers and he'll give you tips on how to get an a as long as it doesnt suck, he is the man

i like history but didn't really learn much in this class cause his lectures were so chaotic. go to class cause of attendence jot some notes down most are in the outline you buy...don't need to read the books until the paper then just take some quotes and b.s. away. if you are a solid writer an A shouldn't be a problem B in expos A in history class

The best professor I ever had. Extremely qualified, intelligent, funny, and eloquent. A real pleasure, unless you're looking for an easy A. However, if you are sincere about his class, he'll make it an experience you won't forget. In fact, he's the only prof i can truly remember!All this, and I am a died-in-the-wool republican/conservative.

A funny guy. He reminded me of the song 'American Idiot' only because he thinks conservative America is a bunch of morons, and he is correct. He has a tough attendance policy, but you can easily lie to the TA and say you were in all the classes that you actaully weren't. Your grade is the better of 2 papers, which he doesn't grade (graders do).

I once saw him throw a chair out of the third floor window because a student praised Christie Whitman.

Professor Gillette is the best professor I've ever known. He's personable, hilarious, and wise. If you take the time to get to know him, you won't regret it. Take his class, do well, go to his office hours, and you'll have a true friend in Bill Gillette. Highly recommended.

One of the most INTERESTING professors I ever had. His tirades against Conservatives & Republicans can be too much at times but overall he's a funny guy. His Civil War class is one of my favorite classes of all time. His notes are thorough and his papers, if you've kept up, are doable.

easy easy class. His lectures needs more structure to them. Must go to class for attendance grade. Only have to do 2 papers. Read the parts of the books that you need to and you will get an A or a B. The books you read are good but you will not learn too much from him because his lectures are very wild and puts you to sleep.

Taught mostly US Civil War & Reconstruction when I was there in the early 90's. He was my Senior Research Paper advisor and he gave me a mention in his Book "Jersey Blue" about the reconstruction period. One of the toughest teachers I had at Rutgers, but worth it. If he is still teaching & you are up to it, take one of his classes.

I got an A in the class and I had to work my ass off for it. It is very time consuming and tons of reading. Make sure you learn how to write a paper the way he wants, otherwise you'll end up with a bad grade. I learned a lot, but it was a vigorous course. If you aren't up to the challenge / don't have time, I wouldn't recommend him.

Awesome guy. Grades are based on two papers in middle and end of semester. Not recommended for those who don't like to write. Reading involved. Lectures are insightful and humorous, but mandatory attendance. Gillette will give you all the help you need on your papers. Excellent for serious students, esp. those thinking of grad school.

This professor knows his stuff. 2 papers, that's all. Must attend class, and his liberal leanings might ruffle some feathers, but you will learn something taking this class.

The class is pretty self explanatory. He gives 2 papers of which the better grade will be your ENTIRE grade for the class. He demands that the papers are insanely detailed, expecting well over 20 quotes from his lectures and books he assigned. He gives an outline for every lecture, but if u can take very detailed notes you will get a B+ or A.

I had bill for NJ history, Civil War & Reconstruction and US History II. I got an A in all of then. all you have to do is go to class read the text and write two detailed papers. He grades fair and offers to curve your grade if your fist paper isn't so hot. Just follow instructions and you will get an A.

I had him for two classes, got an A in both, one being my seminar and the other being a 100 level.. I loved him, he is sarcastic, but extremely cares about the student. Take if possible

A very intelligent and thorough historian. He wants you to write extremely detailed papers and come to class all the time. He can get a little droning and at times insane with his rants but he is a valuable teacher overall. Depends on your personality whether you'll enjoy his class or not. I could see how he could rub some people the wrong way

Entertaining prof. He could offend a couple of people, especially conservatives.. but otherwise very funny. Class is relatively easy, i didnt read the text..only when i had to do the papers, got an A in the course. Easy A.

Gillette is the man. He knows his stuff and conveys it well. If your serious about history then take this course; if not, then do not. It will challenge you but it's worth it.

The man is an absolute genious. I've learned more in his class than any other class at Rutgers. However, his papers are difficult and you must read the books, go to class, and pay attention. If you don't have the time/motivation, I would not reccomend his class. Some advice: Take the class with a friend, it'll help with the workload.

Easily the best professor I had at Rutgers. Prepare for a challenge, and if you can think critically, you will enjoy this class. If you're from Livingston and interested in rote learning, you will not. He's opinionated, no doubt, but always willing to enjoy a well-argued debate. Learned a lot, enjoyed his lectures.

I have taken two 300+ level courses with Professor Gillette and they have easily been my favorite classes taken at Rutgers. This man is one of the most knowledgeable and intelligent individuals I have ever met. He's extremely helpful on the papers and is always willing to sit down and talk with you. His humor is very entertaining as well. Great man

He's a genius, and as long as you follow directions, you'll get an A, and even if you don't, he'll give you a second chance. He doesn't spout "liberal nonsense" like some people say. He just insults any prominent people that he recognizes as "historical illiterates."

Really cares about his students. He just reads which is boring, but he shows films and is an interesting guy. If you work, you'll do well.

He's a great professor. He's really smart, even though he can be dull. He grades tough, but see him and ask him specifically what he wants in your paper. If you are just a face in the crowd he wont give you an A. Also, you must do the readings and attend class, as everyone should.

I was a history Major with a concentration in the Civil War and Reconstruction, So I spent many a class with Bill Gillette. Trust me, this was no cake walk, but I found him extremely helpful, but a yeller. lol My senior paper was on NJ troops in the Civil War and it got me a mention in his book, Jersey Blue. I still go to see him speak.

Bill was my mentor in college. Rest in Peace.