Book Description

Ten Volume SetWhether its standing on the podium in Seneca Falls with the Suffragettes or riding on the first subway car beneath New York City in 1907, all the books in Joy Hakim's A History of US series weave together the exciting stories that bring American history to life. Kids may want to start with War, Terrible Warthe tragic and bloody account of the Civil War thats been hailed by critics as magnificentor All the People, brought fully up-to-date in this new edition with a thoughtful and engaging examination of our world after September 11th. No matter which book they read, young people will never think of American history as boring again. Hakims single, clear voice offers continuity and narrative drama as she shares with a young audience her love of and fascination with the people of the past. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

An exceptional, panoramic kids' introduction to U.S. history
Joy Hakim has accomplished something close to impossible: a readable, thoughtful, even-handed narrative of American history, from the pre-Columbians to the end of the Cold War. The book is fun to read. Hakim tells her stories without stuffiness, pomposity, or self-rightreousness -- and she tells hundreds of stories! Illustrations are almost all from the period being discussed. Marginal comments explain difficult words and concepts. Sidebars print excerpts from diaries, speeches, letters, literature and histories of the time. Hakim relies heavily on biography and anecdote to convey a sense of the times she discusses. She manages to convey a sense of enthusiasm for this country throughout her warts-and-all account of its history. Periodically, she stops to discuss how historians know what they know and to encourage her readers to arrive at their own evaluations. My wife and I started reading this series to our son when he was eight years old. We marvelled at how well it communicated history and its lessons (clear and ambiguous, simple and complex) to him. We found ourselves wishing we'd had books like these when we were first learning U.S. history

The perfect American History for Kids
My son and I read through the entire series of books, but skipped most of the sidebars. He is now a confirmed history nut, and I learned many things. We both had a wonderful ride: when my son was asked to bring in his favorite thing for a class picture sesion, he brought one of these volumes. There are a good many facts, set pieces, thumbnail biographical sketches, but the focus is on the highlights, especially as they illustrate the few basic themes that underly who we are. The manner in which these themes recur throughout the series reinforces them and ties everything together. Reductionist yes, but on target for the audience. I was impressed with the evenhanded interpretation of difficult events and people, and ended up feeling strongly that this is the way I want my children to understand our past.

Buyer Beware.
I doubt there's any US History textbooks more excitingly written for kids age 9-12 than Joy Hakim's. (This series is the one used in one of the best private schools in Silicon Valley.) They're glossy and beautiful, and well-nigh irresistible. What an incredible shame. What's the problem? The problem is they contain a version of history so slanted as to amount to an utterly shameless propagandizing of children. I'm a liberal atheist, but, really, these books should be sealed into a time capsule, to entertain future historians.

I assume Hakim simply doesn't know any better, but even a Marxist with a PhD in American History would blush a little to discover that a child reading this series would never suspect that close to 100 million innocent men, women, and children died under the yoke of socialist regimes, nor that a third of the world was plunged into an unnecessary grinding poverty for decades. On the other hand, they will learn, as they should, that National Socialism murdered six million innocents, and that the Ku Klux Klan 'grew hugely' in the 1920s. But they won't learn that any other serious totalitarian movements also grew hugely in the 1920s, or that five million innocents died under the rule of Lenin's first experiment in socialism in the 1920s.

On the contrary, all anti-Communism in the twentieth century is presented as nothing better than a witch-hunt. Indeed, anti-communism is literally referred to as a 'witch-hunt,' several times. Come on. So, was the fight against Hitler's National Socialism a 'witch-hunt'? Why such a palpable double standard for twin evils? Hakim teaches children that while National Socialism was indeed a real and present danger, and even worth waging an unprecedented World War to fight it, on the other hand, international socialism, or Communism, was, as she tells it, never any real danger to Americans.

For instance, there's a chapter on the HUAC hearings in which McCarthy is referred to as a 'liar' about a half a dozen times. The chapter literally begins with the opening sentence "Joe McCarthy was a liar." Sure, he's controversial, but the latest research by historians just doesn't back up Hakim's wild-eyed account of liberal anti-socialism in America as nothing better than a nefarious 'witch-hunt' conducted by 'liars' and oppressors. Totalitarian Communist Lillian Hellman is profiled as a hero, and the overall impression is given that none of these people really were Communists, but, instead, were all just as falsely accused as the supposed 'witches' of Salem.

This conclusion is then used to prove the statement that Americans are a fundamentally paranoid people, who basically lose their marbles very once in a while. (See book "Not Without Honor." on McCarthy and PBS documentary on Salem to find out why even Salem wasn't actually paranoia after all, but a toxic crop of moldy rye.)

Bad History book
I teach 8th grade social studies and this textbook is the worst piece of garbage I have ever read. There is no relevant vocabulary, no glossary, and lacks important facts. It is unfortunate that trees were killed to write this horrible book.

Easy and enjoyable for reluctant readers.
Customer reviewers alleah and Tom Steinberg (see Spotlight Reviews) sum up this series quite well. I'd like to add that, as a homeschooler of a special needs child who is what I call a "reluctant reader", I find the short, to-the-point entries written in interesting story format not only do-able for my son, but an excellent means of imparting the comprehensive, overall view of American history he will need as a foundation for the more difficult, in-depth work he will be doing in high school. I strongly recommend this series to all families with grammar/middle school students, whether homeschooled or private/public schooled. In addition, I recommend the eleventh book in the series, "Sourcebook and Index: Documents That Shaped the American Nation". (Titles of books should be underlined, not in quotation marks, but, alas, the program doesn't allow for that.) Well worth owning, as these books are hard to find in libraries (at least where I live) and, as reference books, can't be borrowed, only read right there at the library.

If you are going to purchase the series, Amazon has the best price I've seen by several dollars per book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Soldiers, scientists, performers, writers, entrepreneurs, politicians, quilt makers, pilots... as author Lynne Cheney writes, "America’s amazing women have much to teach our children--and much inspiration to offer us, as well." Coming on the heels of America: A Patriotic Primer(Cheney’s previous collaboration with illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser), A Is for Abigail celebrates the achievements of women in American history, with a special emphasis on the individuals who helped win equal rights for women. As with America, Cheney uses an alphabet book format to introduce hundreds of remarkable real women: "O is for SANDRA DAY O’CONNOR and others who were first." In addition to the first woman Supreme Court Justice, the "O" page includes Wilma Mankiller, first woman chief of the Cherokee Nation; Jeannette Rankin, first female member of Congress; and Nellie Tayloe Ross, first woman governor. Glasser’s playful illustrations are lively and busy, inviting readers to explore Abigail Adams's farm or the crowded city block that houses "V is for VARIETY," with its DNA lab, dance studio, dentist office, and "PERSONS at WORK" sign. Snippets of information about each featured woman give a taste; ideally, readers will seek more in-depth biographies about the historical figures who pique their interests. (Ages 6 to 9) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A is for Amazing
This is a wonderful primer on the history of women in America. It paints a very vivid picture, using wonderful and engaging illustrations to draw you into what is a picture narrative. In spite of what some reviewers have said, the diversity in this book is wonderful. Harriet Tubman and Sacagawea are on the front cover of the book, two of five women featured, and Rosa Parks is featured on the back cover alongside Sandra Day O'Connor and Eleanor Roosevelt. As someone who works in the educational publishing field, it is obvious that a lot of thought was put into representing women from various ethnic backgrounds. Apart from the real non white women featured including: Mary McLeod Bethune, Ida Wells-Barnett, Sui Fin Far, Madame C. J. Walker, Harriet Tubman, Bessie Coleman, Lena Horne, Pearl Bailey, Judith Jamison, Chita Rivera, Rita Moreno, Hazel Harrison, Annie Dodge Wauneka, Charlotte Ray, Zora Neale Hurston, Euphemia Lofton Haynes, the list of women of color and other backgrounds depicted in this book (the list goes on and on), the illustrator has worked hard to include depictions of minorities in the incidental art. I honestly don't understand the diversity complaints at all; they must have been looking at another book. I would recomnd A is for Abigail to girls and women of all ages and men as well. It's just a whole lot of fun to look at and you'll learn a few things about the amazing women who did great things for our country.

A Beautiful Tribute To Women
In this beautiful book, the accomplishments of women throughout American history are described briefly but with great attention to detail. Women from all walks of life, as well as all backgrounds and generations are represented, and it is a little surprising to discover how many women achieved greatness even before the current generation. As a woman and mother of 4 girls, I find this book delightful, informative, encouraging, interesting, and lovely to look at. The illustrations are colorful and lively, perfect for children of all ages. I strongly recommend adding this book to your home library.

A lovely and meaningful book.
"Remember the Ladies," Abigail Adams told her husband in a 1776 letter. In fact she went so far as to warn him, "If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation." Unfortunately it was not until the 1900s before women were able to vote. Still, they found many ways to make their mark, have their say, and get their way.

Presented in the format of an alphabet book, A IS FOR ABIGAIL is a remarkable collection of stories about women who have made a difference in the history of the United States. Each beautifully illustrated, often annotated, page is packed with information and quotes. We are shown how women have been able to make a difference in various aspects of life, despite opposition. They have been fliers, artists, business people and inventors, to name only a few occupations.

Robin Preiss Glasser finds the most extraordinary ways to present this information. For example, the letter F stands for "First Ladies." Portraits of them are shown on teacups, milk jugs, sugar bowls, coffee pots, and teapots. The women who made their mark in the press are shown on the front of a newspaper, while those ladies who gained fame as performers are shown on a stage.

By the time we close this extraordinary book we feel empowered, knowing that women have achieved so much in a world that has not always been hospitable to their successes. We should all be proud of and grateful to Lynne Cheney and her wonderful illustrator for creating such a lovely and meaningful book.

--- Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber (mjansengruber@mindspring.com)

Wonderful Children's Book
My daughter loves to look through this as I read it to her. She loves alphabet books and this one teaches her about her country.
I would highly recommend this book.

Abigail Adams and hundreds of other American women
You might think that from the title of "A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women," that Lynne Cheney (yes, the wife of the Vice President of the United States), is going to introduce us to twenty-six women, one for each letter of the alphabet. You might be wondering if Cheney is going to go by first names or last names, since Abigail is Abigail Adams (the wife of the first Vice President of the United States) and you could go either way. The answer to the second question is the Cheney uses last names but more importantly on the first point she introduces us to a lot more than twenty-six American women. For example, "D" is for Emily Dickinson, the country's greatest poet, but the names of other poets from Edna St. Vincent Milay to Sylvia Plath, while "F" is for the First Ladies from Martha Washington to Laura Bush, and includes a great quotation from Barbara Bush's great commencement speech at Wellesley College in 1990. Then you should see the four page spread that opens up to show all the performers for "P," from Carol Burnett to Katharine Hepburn, or everything that is crammed into the two pages on "U" for US history.

The back of this book includes Notes on the Text that provides details about all 28 of those poets and some of the First Ladies. The illustrations are by Robin Preiss Glasser, who collaborated with Cheney on "America: A Patriotic Primer." Hopefully one day young readers will be able to appreciate the details that Glasser puts into her art, such as having Carol Burnett in the infamous curtain dress from the "Gone with the Wind" parody and doing the painting of Mary Cassatt in the style of a Mary Cassatt painting. This book intends to bring to light the "remarkable (although often unmarked) achievements of American women." Young readers should be captivated just by what they learn about Abigail Adams on the opening spread of this engaging volume, and if what little they learn here about Althea Gibson, Elizabeth Peabody, Jane Addams, Nellie Bly, Anne Sullivan and the rest of these American women inspires them to find out some more details about even a half-dozen of them, that would certainly be a step in the right direction. ... Read more

Book Description

The American Journey: Building a Nation is co-authored by the National Geographic Society and offers a unique blend of scholarship and compelling imagery. The hands-on learning approach used throughout the program helps students see the relevance of history as they discover the context and connections between historical events. The program offers in-depth coverage of America's past to 1914. A visual epilogue then brings students up to date. ... Read more

Book Description

A vertible cinematic account of the catastrophe that decimated much of Chicago in 1871, forcing more than 100,000 people from their homes. Jim Murphy tells the story through the eyes of several survivors. These characters serve as dramatic focal points as the fire sweeps across the city, their stories illuminated by fascinating archival photos and maps outlining the spread of fire. 1996 Newbery Honor Book. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

An excellent resource on the Great Chicago Fire!
On the night of October 8, 1871, a fire broke out in a barn belonging to Patrick and Catherine O'Leary. Before the fire was finally quenched, an area roughly four miles by one mile, comprising the very center of Chicago, was burned out, and some 100,000 people were left homeless. In this fascinating book, award-winning author Jim Murphy traces the events of that fateful night, lavishly using the words of actual eyewitnesses.

This is a great book, and an excellent resource on the Great Chicago Fire! The author spins his account out, giving it the feeling of a story, one that sucks you in, and transports you right into the fire. Containing stories that are both heartwarming and terribly distressing, I loved every minute of this read. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Great Chicago Fire, or in anyone who just likes a great read.

Oh the weather outside is frightful.....
An in depth and fascinating look at the series of events that caused a tiny barn fire to be the root source of an enormous conflagration. Murphy is meticulous with his sources, and he sets up the action of the fire perfectly. Starting small, Murphy details the problems that occurred as the fire grew. The alarms weren't called in time. Firemen were repeatedly sent to the wrong areas to put out the fire. The firemen were exhausted from a different fire they'd put out the night before. The entire city of Chicago was made of wood. People, this is an amazing book. The personal accounts Murphy weaves in and out of the tale are harrowing and wonderfully done. Rather than a painful history lesson, this book makes the story personal and human. Most impressive, to my mind, is the series of chapters Murphy dedicates to the post-fire Chicago rebuilding effort. The author wins my "responsible historian" vote by repeatedly pointing out that the rich were quick to assign blame for this fire on the poor immigrant working class. The O'Learys (who owned the barn where it began) were eventually driven out of their own town by the nasty lies of the press. Chicago comes off looking wonderful after the fire (the spirit of the people was so invigorating!) and the worse for wear (the classism was absolutely ridiculous). My sole objection to this book was that we never heard a peep about the many African Americans who lived in Chicago at this time. Surely they were just as affected by the massive fire as anyone. Yet not a single mention is made of them. Beautiful endnotes follow this account. This book would be excellent read aloud to students. It builds like a novel and draws the reader in. Would pair well with other stories of American disaster (the Titanic for example).

Exciting - What a Writer!!!!!
Jim Murphy's books are always a favorite with my 11-year-old son, but this was one of our favorites. My husband and I read it via audio book, and it was so vivid and so interesting we stayed up until we had read (listened) to the whole thing. Next we're reading his Civil War book. Thank you, Mr. Murphy!!!

The Great Fire
The Great Fire of Chicago happened in 1871 on a dry Sunday. The fire began in a barn and swept throughout the city. Through the author Jim Murphy the book takes you through the lives of many people. Eventually it rains, extinguishing the fire and leaving 98,500 people homeless. The Great Fire was one of those books that starts out boring, but if you continue to read or listen to it you'll notice yourself wanting to know what happens next. This book goes through the lives of the people during the fire and shows their hardships through great detail. The Great Fire was caused by many mistakes including a tired fire department. They did all they could, but were unsuccessful because they were unprepared for such a disaster. I would recommend this book to people searching for a good historical non-fiction book.

My students LOVED this book!
I read this book to my 4th and 5th grade class and they loved it! I was afraid they might be bored but the writing is fantastic and the story really interested them. They remember all of the details and have been talking about the fire with their friends and parents. We were all really disappointed when we came to the final page. I've even become inspired to read more about the fire. ... Read more

Book Description

This thrilling adventure back in time to the pioneering days of wagon trains uses real objects from the past in close-up to bring the period fully alive. Discover how a typical family from Indiana traveling to Oregon in a covered wagon really lived: how they dressed; what they ate; what they saw; how they survived the hazardous journey. Chronicles a day in the life of the Larkin family, from breakfast cooked over a campfire, until the first watch takes up duties for the night. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Family Travel
Follow the Larkin family on their journey from Indiana to Oregon in 1853 in search of a more prosperous life. This book uses actual pictures of objects from the past, many drawings,and diary writings. Their journey took almost 5 months, the family had to travel over 2,000 miles.Some of the 24 chapters include The Wagon, Indian Country, Children's Activities, Crossing A River, Stopping At A fort, Sickness and Death. A greatly detailed book with an abundance of color pictures on every page. Fantastic!! ... Read more

Book Description

In her classic books, Laura Ingalls Wilder lovingly described the many little houses she and her family lived in as they traveled across the American frontier. Today, these houses have been preserved as sites and museums that thousands of fans visit every year. The Little House Guidebook contains detailed information on these sites, as well as guidance on where to eat and stay, and other places to explore in the surrounding areas. Special features included colored tabs on each chapter for easy reference, a room-by-room tour of Laura's Rocky Ridge Farmhouse, and a walking tour and street map of De Smet, Laura's little town on the prairie, as well as guidance on how to get to the sites, where to eat and stay, and other places to explore in the surrounding areas.

Lavishly illustrated throughout with beautiful full-color photographs of Laura's houses and memorabilia, and gently colorized versions of Garth Williams' original art from the Little House books, this guidebook is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to visit Laura's little houses or just read about them.

Reviews (7)

Invaluable Resource for Little House Fans
William Anderson has done a fabulous job in painstakingly documenting everything there is to see from New York to South Dakota that has anything to do with Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House" series. Ever wondered what happened to Pa's fiddle? Or if the house dug out from the banks of Plum Creek is still intact? This book has the answers. Complete with color photographs, addresses, phone numbers and maps, as well as ample background information, The Little House Guidebook is a must have for Little House fans everywhere. Even if you never get to visit these places, this book will take you there.

Good source for touring sites, rehash of some old material.
If I were to take any books along with me on a LIW journey, it would be this one. The reason for a lower rating is because I was disappointed in a rehash of what to find at the Little House sites that was already published in another of Anderson's titles.

Great Book!
Laura!

Superb Reading and Travel Planning Book
The Little House Guidebook is filled with the museums, houses and visitors sights about the legacy of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family.

Beautiful, accurate photography amazes your eyes as any fan dreams of visiting each and every place. The first photo on the page dedicated to Walnut Grove, only 45 minutes from my hometown, is exactly how it looks today. A large sign just uphill from Plum Creek states where the sod house was.

Thanks to this wonderful book, our family knew all the best places to visit, shop at, and devour historical facts of. It even led us right to the church bell Pa had given his last three dollars for. We'll use it again on all our future adventures.

This book was well researched, written and photographed. It glorifies my Little House ongoing collection.

If you are a fan, or know someone who is, this book would be a fabulous gift, just as it was given to me for my birthday.

Excellent Little House site resource!
We used this book to plan our May trip to Kansas and Missouri. The directions were accurate and the information definitely added to our trip. We stayed at the Rosewood B&B (in the book, Kansas) and had a good time. This book is a must for any Laura Ingalls Wilder fan! ... Read more

Book Description

What kind of ship was the Mayflower? How did the Pilgrims feel when they saw land? What was the first building in Plymouth? In lively question-and-answer style, this fact-filled book answers all sorts of questions about the Pilgrims' journey on the Mayflower and their first year in America.

Boys and girls will find out why the Pilgrims left England to live in America, what they took with them on board the Mayflower, and the hardships they endured.They'll learn what the Mayflower Compact was, how the Pilgrims made a peace treaty with the Indians, and how these brave settlers managed to survive in their new land.

Ms McGovern has carefully researched the Pilgrims' journey and their first year in America.Her portrayal is full of fascinating detail about their everyday life.Young readers will be intrigued to discover that Pilgrim boys and girls slept on corn husk mattresses they made themselves, and that most of the houses had only one chair -- which was reserved for the man of the house!

The humorous, true-to-life illustrations serve as effective complements to the informative, fun-to-read text. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Wonderful Resource; A Great Story
I am a teacher who was looking for a book for my students to use when we study Thanksgiving. Without a doubt, this story is one of the best that we use. It is a great introduction to reading non-fiction, and it provides a wealth of information for students, parents, and teachers.

My students love the story. They can easily understand the Question-Answer format, and it is not overwhelming in its content. It's written in an 'easy reading' style that the students can understand. They are really interested in what the kids did during this time, especially what they did for fun.

I recommend this book to any student who wants to know more about the Pilgrims and their arrival to America. I also recommend this to any adult who is looking for a wonderful non-fiction book for their favorite child(ren).

This book is hard to put down!
I got "If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620" for our Thanksgiving unit based on several glowing recommendations. I was not disappointed. Both my 5 yo and I had a hard stopping once we got started. I learned things about the Pilgrims I'd never known. And, the content is fascinating for children. It covered such curious topics as Did they bathe on the Mayflower?, What did they eat?, How were people who broke the law punished?, What did children do? It was written to entertain anyone over the age of 4. It's a question/answer book and exceptionally well done.

Great Book
I purchased this book for my Grandchildren but this is not only a great book for 4-8 year olds but for anyone over 4. You might learn some things you didn't know. By the way, if you ever go to Plymouth you can go on the Mayflower II, and be sure to visit Plimoth Plantation (it's like going back in time to 1630).

Just Like You Were There!!!
This book by Ann McGovern depicts the life that you would have had on the Mayflower. You get a sense and almost feel like you are there with the rest of the pilgrims in 1620. The detail is just great and is a book that all kids should read from a historical standpoint. ... Read more

Book Description

People are coming to America--all kinds of people. If you're European, you come in search of freedom or riches. If you're African, you come in chains. And what about the Indians, what is happening to them? Soon with the influx of so many people, thirteen unique colonies are born, each with its own story. Meet Pocahontas and John Smith in Jamestown. Join William Penn and the Quakers in Pennsylvania. Sit with the judges at the Salem witch trials. Hike over the mountains with Daniel Boone. And let Ben Franklin give you some salty advice in his Poor Richard's Almanac in this remarkable journey through the dynamic creation of what one day becomes the United States. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The English establish thirteen colonies in the New World
"Making Thirteen Colonies: 1600-1740" is the second volume in Joy Hakim's "A History of US." The first volume covered how the first Americans crossed over from Asia to become Indians and the first Europeans, mainly the Spanish but also the French and English, began settling the New World. This volume focuses on the narrow string of settlements established by the English that became the thirteen colonies whose people began moving westward and who also started to question the relationship they had with England (there is a small amount of overlap between this and the next volume, which covers period of American history from 1735-1791).

Hakim begins with a preface that looks at the vast mixture of ideas that were brought over from the Mediterranean world and took root in the Americas. Along with the first chapter, which talks about the comet that appeared in 1607 as a portent of great changes for the world, this preface sets up several key themes that will be revisited throughout this and future volumes. "Making Thirteen Colonies" has 42 chapters and it the book is divided into five main sections. The first (chapters 2-12) tells how English settlers came to stay by establishing the first permanent colony in Jamestown, Virginia. The second (chapters 13-23) looks primarily at the Puritans arriving in New England, although Hakim also touches on what was happening between the Indians and the Spanish in the southwest. The third section (chapters 24-30) tells about the mid-Atlantic colonies, most notably New Amsterdam/York and Pennsylvania. The fourth section (chapter 31-39) returns to the South, looking at not only Ole Virginny but also the two Carolinas and Georgia. This unit also looks at the Triangle Trade and other considerations that united the four southern and nine northern colonies. The final section (chapters 40-42) is a transitional unit, that looks at how the colonists began to move westward and the stage was set for the period of history that would make those thirteen colonies into a new nation.

One of the great advantages to writing a ten-volume history of the United States is that unlike most standard American history textbooks "A History of US" is able to clearly establish the unique identities of each of those original thirteen colonies. I recently finished reading an excellent series of books, each of which was devoted to an individual colony, and Hakim ends up being closer to those volumes than she does the standard textbook. Consequently, in addition to the traditional stories about Pocahontas and John Smith in Jamestown, William Penn and the Quakers of Pennsylvania, the Salem witch trials, Ben Franklin as the quintessential American, and Daniel Boone finding routes through the mountains, Hakim establishes an individual identity for each colony.

However, the main strength of this series is how Hakim engages young readers, the same way you would expect a "real" teacher to do in a "real" classroom. This shows up primarily in her ability to anticipate and answer questions that students might have (e.g., why the Indians were not enslaved). I can easily see why this series is popular with parents who are home schooling their children. The book is richly illustrated with dozens and dozens of historic paintings, etchings, drawings, maps, engravings, and assorted reproductions. The margins are crammed with interesting facts, definitions, and quotations, and features on topics such as Land Green and Africa: The Unknown Continent are sprinkled throughout the book. The After Words this time around are devoted to cartography and has some superb examples of 16h- and 17th-century maps. It is easily to see why this series has impressed so many people and why Hakim is able to get such good responses from young students who are used to getting their information from computers and the Internet.

Excellent resource
I love this series!! Told in story style, you get details and interesting tidbits that you wouldn't get in ordinary text books. I have always felt that history was a vital part of our school curriculum and these books make the going easier. Even if you are just a history buff, instead of student, you would enjoy these!

Clearly written - fun for all ages!
Our two children are home-schooled, and as we have started collecting the newly issued quarters, the kids came up with lots of questions about them and the origins of each state. This book, along with its companion volumes has answered all our "coin questions" (unlike the Encyclopedia Britannica!) The book is written clearly and simply enough for my 6 year old to grasp, and interesting enough to hold the attention of the adults!

Exceptionally fine writer ... she makes kids love history!
I teach fifth grade in Eugene and have used her books for a number of years now. I love using trade books to teach about history but Joy's books give children a framework from which to consider whether the historical fiction they so love is well written and researched or not. She teaches right along with me in my classroom through her books - we even have a framed picture of this author on our wall along with pictures of Lincoln, Washington, Frederick Douglass, and Eleanor Roosevelt. Her style is crisp and kid-pleasing. She deals with big issues and with important ideas. Children - and teachers - want to read her books over and over again because there is always something new to learn, something interesting to rediscover.

Detailed look at American History
As a homeschooling mother of a 5th grader I started using A History of US (vol 2) as a supplement to our standard text. It wasn't long before we abandoned the textbook.

Joy Hakim relates all the important events while sketching profiles of people you've heard of (and some you may not have heard of). She places events in historical context, discusses the development of ideas, quotes original sources, and defines outdated and difficult words. My criticism of the book is that she sometimes makes blanket statements that simplify the people of the time. For instance, concerning the Salem witch trials: "The leaders of the community, who might have done some thinking, didn't."

I like the short chapters that develop one topic, the range of people, places, and events (how many textbooks mention the Salem witch trials or Magna Carta?), and the use of direct quotes.

The book reads like a grandparent telling stories to a grandchild complete with answers to the child's questions and editorial comments. I guess grandparents are entitled to their opinions.

You won't cover as many years of American History in a set time with this series as you would with most textbooks, but you'll learn far more about the years you do cover. ... Read more

Book Description

History explodes in this activity guide spanning the turmoil preceding secession, the first shots fired at Fort Sumter, the fierce battles on land and sea, and finally the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. Making butternut dye for a Rebel uniform, learning drills and signals with flags, decoding wigwag, baking hardtack, reenacting battles, and making a medicine kit bring this pivotal period in our nation's history to life. Fascinating sidebars tell of slaves escaping on the Underground Railroad, the adventures of nine-year-old drummer boy Johnny Clem, animal mascots who traveled with the troops, and friendships between enemies. The resource section includes short biographies of important figures from both sides of the war, listings of Civil War sites across the country, pertinent Web sites, glossary, and an index. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A concise history of the Civil War and 21 activities
The two main elements of "The Civil War for Kids: A History With 21 Activities" work independently of each other. In the main text Janis Herbert provides a concise history of the Civil War that provides a more in-depth look at that period of American history than what young students are likely to find in their textbooks at school. Herbert begins with the turmoil preceding succession and the first shots fired at Fort Sumter, the battles fought on land and seas, up to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. The text is supplemented with dozens of sidebar stories providing details on everything from Lincoln's beard and Johnny Clem to what Army engineers did and what "Chickamaugua" meant. The book is illustrated with historic photographs and drawings, as well as battlefield maps. There is a time-line of the Civil War up front and a glossary, guide to officers, list of resources, bibliography and index in the back.

The other key part of this book are the 21 activities that are scattered throughout its pages and provide a wide variety of experiences to give young readers in or out of class. Some of the activities are fairly detailed, such as making a North Star Safe Quilt or your own soldier's uniform, and acting out the battle of Antietam (really, but you need 30 kids). Others are fairly simple, like making a coffee can drum and having a Rebel yell contest. Several of the activities are specific to the fighting of the war, such as creating a code, signaling with a wigwag, measuring the depth of a pond or river, building a lean-to- shelter, and making battlefield bandages. A few of the exercises are duplications of things people would have actually done during the war, such as making berry ink, a housewife sewing kit, homemade butternut dye, and hardtack. Teachers would not be expected to use even half of these exercises, but those teaching a unit on the Civil War can certainly find a couple of choice activities to use with their students. The same is true for all of the other books on history and the arts with 21 activities that you can find.

BOUND TO IGNITE A FEW SPARKS
This is a great book my kids love ( maybe I should give it 5 stars just for that alone ). Lots of fun things to do - we've yet to try the butternut dyeing but as soon as their mum goes to work..... ??? This is just the book to get fathers banned from the kitchen, and probably the whole house as there's so many fun activities to rekindle the childhood we forgot we didn't have ? Hell, just buy it, better value than a family meal at McD's, and the starving would give a real War experience beyond the scope of this fine book.

OUTSTANDING!
After buying Ms. Herbert's gorgeous "Leonardo da Vinci for Kids," I bought this book. Notwithstanding my high expectations for this book, I was not in the least bit disappointed. Ms. Herbert has again written an interesting and informative book with entertaining activities that enhance and reinforce the educational value of the book. As the previous reviewer noted, a small number of the activities in this book really need groups of children to make them effective, but overall the book can be recommended for all.

An interesting aside -- adults who enjoy this book should check out the author's first (and adult) book, which was written under the name Janis Martinson. In "The World Don't Owe Me Nothing: The Life and Times of Delta Bluesman Honeyboy Edwards," the author took the exact words of Mr. Edwards and constructed an fascinating autobiography that is also quite an interesting history lesson.

Great hands on activities
We are using this book for a homeschool unit on the Civil War with eight-year-old twins. The chapters give them an interesting overview of this history of the war, but the hands on activities have really made them excited about what they are learning. We have made hardtack (recipe included in the book), facsimile uniforms, lean-tos, and quilts. Most of the activities can easily be accomplished by one or two kids, but some are more appropriate for an entire classroom. The graphics and photographs are exceptional. I am eager to use other books by Chicago Review Press to supplement our study. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

All kids' books should be this good.
I thought my 4-year-old was only half listening as I read "The First Americans" to her sister (age 6). But the other evening at story time, her face lit up and she begged for "history"! I can give it no higher praise.

This volume covers the first 12,000 years--give or take a few millennia--of human life on our continent. Hakim strikes a good balance between outlining the broad sweep of the period, and focusing in on interesting stories, people, and trivia ("fun facts" in my girls' lingo). She doesn't gloss over difficult subjects, such as the massacre of the Aztecs by the Spaniards under Cortés. But she relates these events with balance and sympathy, helping her young readers to understand them from different points of view (in this case the Aztecs; their neighbors who were victims of cruel Aztec rituals; and the Spaniards who wanted Aztec gold, but also were abhorred by Aztec viciousness towards their neighbors). What's more, Hakim openly invites them to think about and even reject her own judgements.

She has sparked many good conversations in our household. For instance, she used the example of Cortés to illustrate some tough ethical questions that philosophers debate to this day. I talked about these questions with my daughters, and helped them to express and refine their own thoughts. Then I invited them to think up some other tough questions. My younger one took the cake with "what is 'is'?". She had offered it in jest, but to her surprise I pulled out "Being and Time", one of several big books on my shelf devoted to that very question. She was amused, but quite pleased.

No doubt you will find something to disagree with in this, as in any good history. When that happens, do what the author suggests: use it as an opportunity to debate her conclusions with your kids, and sharpen their critical skills. For the rest of it, enjoy a great story well-told. I can hardly imagine a better history for this age group.

The first volume in Joy Hakim's "A History of US"
A History of US is basically an attempt to write a juvenile history of the United States that will speak to a generation of young readers who get most of their information from computers and the Internet. That means Joy Hakim offers up lots of information with lots of illustrations, but it also means been very much aware of the mind set of her readers. When Hakim describes the scope "The First Americans: Prehistory-1600" we get a clear sense of this perspective: "This book begins in the Ice Age with some people who hiked and canoed from Asia to a New Land and, thousands of years later, got called Indians by Christopher Columbus, who didn't know where he was." This first volume begins with the first human beings crossing the land mass that once connected Asia and North America and ends with the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the event that signaled the beginning of the end of Spain's empire in the New World and the start of English colonization of the land that would become the United States.

The volume is basically divided into two main sections. After establishing the value of studying history, Hakim looks at how human beings crossed Beringia to a new continent and how these first Americans became Indians. The first section looks examines the Indians on a regional basis, from the Eskimos of the far north to the Cliff Dwellers of the southwest, as well as from the people of the Northwest coast and the Plains Indians to the Mound Builders and People of the Long House in the East. Chapter 13 is a transitional section that covers how the Vikings came to the New World. The rest of the book is devoted to the European voyagers of exploration to the Americans and the early colonization efforts of the Spanish and French. Consequently Hakim tells the stories of Columbus, Balboa, Magellan, Cortes, Ponce de Leon, and Coronado. The establishment of New Spain and New France is contrasted with the lost English colony of Roanoke.

Throughout the volume there are features on related topics from the Vikings at L'anse Aux Meadows and the first map to include "America," to stories of how the world began and how to ravel by canoe and portage, including excerpts from the writings of explorers Christopher Columbus and John White. The margins are crammed with additional information such as quotations, definitions, names to know, and even some jokes. The volume is illustrated with mostly historic etchings, drawings, and maps, as well as contemporary photographs of ancient sites and artifacts, (accurate) maps of voyages, and quotations from primary and secondary sources. The back of the volume offers a Chronology of Events, a list of More Books to Read, and a series of Maps: Old and New.

The strength of "The First Americans: Prehistory-1600" is that it is written as if it were actually being taught in a classroom. Hakim knows when to stop and explain the material, the same way a teacher would talk to their students about what they were reading. For example, she discusses the various names used to talk about the First Americans, pointing out that not even the Indians are really "native" Americans and then later addresses the question of what would have happened if Columbus had actually found Cathay as he expected. I can see why these volumes would be popular with parents who are home schooling their children, because Hakim is able to assume the role of teacher within the pages of her textbook (besides, I am not sure how many school districts can afford a 10-volume American history textbook or how many years it would take to get students to read them all). She also constantly asks her young readers to imagine themselves as specific people in particular situations to appreciate what it was like to live during these time periods, and I find such role-playing to be another key ingredient of computer life for young students in the 21st century.

Great history book for homeschooling!
I am currently using the first book in The History of US to teach history to my homeschooled children, ages 9 and 6. Written for children, the books tell a story of being a time and space traveller, and visiting chronologically the stages of development of the Unites States. The first book starts in the Ice Age, with Asians crossing the land bridge, and follows up through Native American tribes, ending with explorers from Europe.

I'd say these books are probably around a 6th grade reading level, and they are fun, interesting, and capture the imagination as well as teach an awful lot about history. The perspective of the books is that no one view of history is correct, and your child is expected to formulate his/her own ideas about what is right and wrong (for example, about forcing "native americans" to live on reservations.)

I highly recommend the first book in the series, and I can hardly wait to finish it up, so we can start in on the next one!

Making History Interesting for Any Person
This book is the first in a series written by Joy Hakim that captures the essence of topics that can often be presented in a dull format, but which have been developed to capture the imagination and attention of anyone of any age who is capable of reading at a mid-elementary school level or higher. The chapters in each book are developed from the adventurer's viewpoint of being directly involved in the timeline of history as it evolves. The writing draws you in and the chapters are short enough to complete one topic at a time with very little time. Each chapter is enhanced with pictures, maps, and other small vignettes of additional information applicable to the narrative. There are questions and definitions to expand the chapters into a more involved learning experience. As a middle-aged adult who never was provided a cohesive learning experience on the subject of history, even as I lived through some of our most historical events, I find this series to be one of the best ways to connect to information I never knew or never fully understood as a sequence of events with historical and future impact. I highly recommend this series for anyone, but especially for parents and children to share together one small step at a time.

i will not let my children read this book
As an avid, albeit amateur reader of prehistory through Native Americans, I found this book to be appalling. In one chapterm the author states that the Native Americans wasted the buffalo, leaving their bodies to rot and wasting meat. This, unfortunately, would have been the doings of the white man - the "Indian" wanted all parts of the animal, not just the tongue and tail. I was horrified, and will make sure my children's schools will never read this book, unless as an example of twisted "facts". ... Read more

Amazon.com

Written by Lynne Cheney, author and wife of Vice President RichardCheney, to honor this "beautiful land made more beautiful still by ourcommitment to freedom," America: A Patriotic Primer is a proudcelebration of the individuals, milestones, and principles of this nation. Eachbusy spread features elaborately decorated letters of the alphabet, with one ortwo kids draped over its bars and loops, along with the highlighted concept orperson: "N is for Native Americans, who came here first," "T is forTolerance." Surrounding every letter is a veritable circus ofentertaining and useful related information, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser(Alexander, Who's Not (Do YouHear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move). "J is for Jefferson," forexample, is bordered with biographical details and quotations from ThomasJefferson, while mini images depict the third president's famous home(Monticello), some of his inventions, and a description of the Virginia Statutefor Religious Freedom. This compelling picture book will work best as asupplement for children who are already immersed in basic American history atschool. Teachers and parents will enjoy exploring with their kids every inch ofthe detailed, hand-drawn and illustrated U.S. map found in "U is for UnitedStates," explaining and elaborating on the historical lessons asappropriate. (All ages) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (60)

THE ABC'S OF AMERICA
I buy many children's books for my young niece and nephew so I am always looking for ones that are educational as well as enjoyable.

AMERICA: A PATRIOTIC PRIMER is a colorful, well-written picture book that offers young readers an alphabetical introduction to historical highlights and prominent people in the American saga.

This is a unique book because it also allows parents to share with their kids fun facts and patriotic images which will open the door to family discussion about what makes America great. I can't wait to send this book to my young relatives.

The ABC's of the USA.....
Join Lynne Cheney and Robin Preiss Glasser as they take you on a alphabetical history lesson in America: A Patriotic Primer. Ms Cheney's short, letter by letter text is a bit dry and uninspired, as in "C is for the Constitution that binds us together", "O is for the Oath new Americans take", or "U is for United States", and her simple explanations tend to be more preachy than informatiive. It's Ms Glasser's incomparably, bold, busy, and exuberant artwork that really make this book a winner. Each page is filled with detailed illustrations, creative borders, famous quotations, anecdotes, clever fun facts, trivia, and more. Young and old alike will enjoy poring over and exploring each fascinating and inventive page, and you're sure to find something new and exciting each and every time you open the book. Perfect for children of all ages, parents and teachers should use America: A Patriotic Primer as an introduction to famous Americans, historical events, and important ideas, to whet the appetite and send kids out looking for more.

America: A Patriotic Primer
A beautifully illustrated book that that will delight children, parents and grandparents. The cover shows joyous children raising the flag in an Iwo Jima-like illustration. The book includes 5 pages of brief notes including Americans ranging from John Adams, Jane Addams, Roberto Clemente, Frederick Douglass, Chief Joseph, Helen Keller, Jonas Salk to Babe Didrickson Zaharias. The notes also include such details as the full text of the Oath of Allegiance. "D is for Declaration" is illustrated with sketches including John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. The border is John Adams words, "I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this declaration and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory." "T is for Tolerance" includes notes on Ramadan, Easter, Rosh Hashannah, Trung Thu (Vietnamese), Chinese New Year, Diwali (Hindu) and Mormon Pioneer Day plus others.
Some may recall that Lynne Cheney shot down a proposed set of history standards a few years back. This book offers an outline of a reasonable history standard.

this is just ridiculous
I would not recommend this book as a usual "Alphabet Book" because a lot of the words are pretty abstract for a child trying to learn the alphabet. The idea of an alphabet book is to connect a letter to something concrete the child can relate to, like their own name or their dog, not "Suffragettes!" The book is confusing as a history for children who are beginning to read because it is in alphabetical rather than chronological order. There is no narrative here, no "story" in the history.

Much of the history that this book attempts to whitewash over is not, in my opinion, really appropriate for serious discussion until children have begun to develop concepts of society outside of their family, neighborhood, and immediate town in the present day. I mean, my daughter is four years old. I can tell her the REAL story of the first Thanksgiving, but, it's kind of like, well, maybe she should first probably learn where North America IS, or that we live in a place called North America before we go into Metacom's Rebellion.

This is not to say that it is then okay for Cheney to pretend like this history isn't real, that it isn't really impacting our lives today. Her presentation of "the facts" is appalling. Over and over again, we hear about how great America is. No mention of course of that great Vietnam war, what a great idea that was. No "H is for Hiroshima" page. How about "I is for Imperialism." Or "Internment Camps." It is really quite sick, quite pathological, to use the imagery of Iwo Jima on the front cover to hide the atrocities of war and present it instead as FUN! It wasn't any fun for anybody at Iwo Jima, and I have no intention of lying to my children about the realities of war.

If you have a net worth of less than $10 million and you don't own stock in Halliburton, you are not doing your children any favors by aiding the capitalist class in this kind of blind indoctrination.

Look closely and critically at messages in this book!
A theme of this book is "we the people" but for the most part, present day Native Americans are missing from this book, and it is interesting to note which past Native leaders Cheney chose to include.

To start with, look at the parade of children shown on the title page. There's a kid shown in Native American clothing, but he isn't Native American himself. Other kids are white, African American, or Asian American.

Cheney chooses Squanto, Pocahontas and Sacajawea as historic figures to include. Some argue that white America celebrates only those Native people who helped them. To her credit, Cheney includes Sitting Bull and Chief Joseph, and Ben Nighthorse Campbell.

On the map of the US, the only references to Native Americans are historic landmarks that confine them to the historical past.

It seems a fundamental message here is that Americans can emulate attributes of Native Americans (bravery, courage, perseverence), but that today, Native Americans do not exist in Cheney's America. ... Read more

Book Description

How did compliant colonials with strong ties to Europe get the notion to become an independent nation? Perhaps the seeds of liberty were planted in the 1735 historic courtroom battle for the freedom of the press. Or maybe the French and Indian War did it, when colonists were called "Americans" for the first time by the English, and the great English army proved itself not so formidable after all. But for sure when King George III started levying some heavy-handed taxes on the colonies, the break from the motherland was imminent. With such enthralling characters as George Washington, Sam Adams, Patrick Henry, Eliza Pinckney, and Alexander Hamilton throughout, From Colonies to Country is an amazing story of a nation-making transformation. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The engaging story of America gaining its independence
"From Colonies to Country: 1735-1791" is the third volume in Joy Hakim's "A History of US."This book begins with the British kicking the French out of North America and ends with the American colonists winning independence from the British.After a first chapter that establishes the principle of Freedom of the Press that would come to play a key part in not just the American Revolution but throughout the entire history of the United States, the rest of the book falls into four main sections.The first (Chapters 2-6) covers the transition as the English essentially kicked the French out of North America as a result of the French & Indian War.The second (Chapters 7-14) traces the growing dissent in the American colonies with British rule that ended in the Boston Massacre and the Battles of Lexington and Concord.The third (Chapters 15-31) details the Revolutionary War, including the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence.The final section (Chapters 32-42) covers the means by which the thirteen colonies were turned into a country through the writing and adoption of the Constitution. The back of the book contains an extensive look at great documents including not only the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, but also the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom.Hakim also talks about how to consider great documents (and stay awake while doing so).The Atlas this time around focuses on the question of how the politics of cartography comes into mapmaking.

There is a lot of information here presented in a way that will speak to young readers raised on computers and hooked on the Internet.There are features on topics of interest scattered throughout the book and the margins are filled with various definitions, mini-biographies, and various facts.I liked the way she included actual signatures from various signers of the Declaration of Independence.These volumes are richly illustrated with historic prints, paintings, etchings, and maps (as well as contemporary maps that are more historically accurate).Besides paying as much attention to the style of presentation as she does to the information being provided, Hakim plays the role of teacher throughout the volume, anticipating student questions and demanding they take the perspectives of the various parties involved in this history.I can see what those home school their children are enamored of this series, because she saves parents from having to doing the engaging.These books do it for them. ... Read more

Book Description

Describes conditions for the civilians in both North and South during and immediately after the war. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great kids book with nice illustrations.
All of the "If you Lived at the Time of..." books are great for kids, and also a nice, quick read for adults! What I like about them is their layout, which is easy for readers to follow. Each page begins with a question, "Would you have seen a battle in the South?" for example. Nicely drawn illustrations accompany each answer. The book itself is small and lightweight enough to be handled easily by kids. Issues between the North and South are explained simply and, I believe, fairly.

Excellent Book for Young Readers
I highly recommend this book for young readers who are first learning about the Civil War, and for parents/adults who want to refresh their knowledge about the Civil War. It uses an easy-to-follow Question/Answer approach. It explains which states seceded, who fought for the northern and southern armies, how the war affected the daily lives of northerners and southerners, who were the famous people from the north, and who were the famous people from the south. I really like the approach of the entire "If You" Series by Scholastic for introducing history to young readers. I highly recommend it for classrooms, home schooling, or pleasure.

Shameful Bigotry
I generally have a high regard for Scholastic publications, but I am amazed that such narrow-minded bigotry and prejudice actually made it through to publication. I am so glad I previewed this book before sharing it with my children. I would no sooner read this to them than I would read them a book about "nice little Pilgrims and mean old Indians."

Current historians generally have a more enlightened interpretation of South's position in the Civil War, but Moore chooses to perpetuate the old stereotype of the evil slave owners versus the knights in shining armor of the north. Any cursory reading of the facts will tell you that this is wrong.

Though slavery was, no doubt, an issue in the war, it was not foremost, initially, and it was highlighted by the federal administration only when it became politically and strategically advantageous to highlight it. Any current reading of a Lincoln biography will tell you why he signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and why he waited so long to do it.

Comments such as, "[During the war] Southern women and children had to provide for themselves, something they were not used to doing," are littered throughout the pages of this book. Besides being grossly insulting, they are blatant misrepresentations of history, and of truth.

Most Southerners, in fact, did NOT own slaves. Many were very much against slavery. And yet on every page devoted to "explaining" the Southern perspective, the story of the South is told exclusively through their position as a slave-owning population. Southerners are portrayed as uneducated hillbillies. Even the pictures perpetuate this....illustrations of northern children look like modern day preppies; the white southern children are illustrated as ragged and dirty.

Moore does mention at the end that, "The South was treated like a hated enemy." Apparently, in some corners, they still are.

It was pretty neat.
IT is a really cool book. It is pretty interesting book. It explains some pretty cool stuff. ... Read more

Book Description

Us and Them illuminates the dark corners of our nation's past and traces our ongoing efforts to live up to the American ideals of equality and justice. Fourteen case studies--enhanced through the use of original documents, historical photos, newly commissioned paintings, and dramatic narrative--bring readers a first-hand account of the history and psychology of intolerance. We read about Mary Dyer, executed for her Quaker faith in Boston in 1660. We learn how the Mormons were expelled from Missouri in 1838. The attack on Chinese miners in Wyoming in 1885, the battle of Wounded Knee in 1890, the Ku Klux Klan activities in Mobile, Alabama in 1981, and the Crown Heights riot in 1991 are among the memorable episodes presented in clear, evocative language that brings to life history that is often forgotten or slighted. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Face of Prejudice
In an age of sanitized history and calls for revisionism that make people feel comfortable, there is a great need for more books like Jim Carnes' history of intolerance in America. With 128 pages of text and 16 concise chapters this book corrects much of the white washing that is taking place in much longer history texts, even at the college level. Religious liberty, Native American exile, freedom from slavery, racial extermination, and ethnic tensions are highlighted with graphic images and easily accessible narratives. The trials of diverse groups such as Mormons, Catholics, Chinese, Native Americans, Jewish immigrants, Mexican Americans, Japanese citizens, and just playing Americans are dramatically highlighted in an unforgettable montage of images and words that give the lie to the "melting pot" that is the United States.

Paintings, etchings, drawings, and photographs illustrate in no uncertain terms would hate has done to this country. More than that the pictures combined with the simple prose personalizes each inequity that is introduced. For example, "A Rose for Charlie" presents photographs of the community disrupted by hate, as well as that community's response to the hate. From photographs of hate speech scrawled on walls to portraits of citizens mourning the victim of a deadly hate crime present a view of America that could not be farther from the Norman Rockwell ideal we all wish this country would be. For those interested, a fictionalized account of this particular crime can be found in "The Drowning of Stephan Jones" by Bette Greene, which chronicles the death of the young man simply because of who he loved.

It should be an essential book for all classrooms.

An important book for educators
I used this book in both my 6th and 8th grade classrooms with great success. I embarked on a diversity project using it and the video (which I strongly recommend); it's an excellent starting point because its scope is so wide and yet it gives very detailed accounts of intolerance in America, starting from the beginning (you see, we have a rather long history of intolerance). Middle school students find it interesting and easy to understand, and it's perfect for the teacher because it covers many ethnic and racial groups in the U.S.. Use this book! It's very important.

This book effectively tells the story and links oppressions.
This terrific book effectively tells the story of oppression inthe United States and subtly connects the interrelatedness ofoppressions by putting the chapters side by side. The information and sidebars are magnificent in their detail and it is nice to have many sides of history that are so rarely shown. I learned more about history from this book than any history textbook I can remember. The stories of racial, religious, ethnic, and gay oppressions become human stories in this book--hopefully stories that we can learn from and choose not to repeat. ... Read more

Book Description

Bring Your Students the Exciting Story of the Century They Live In. Discovering relationships, interpreting evidence, connecting the present to the past—that’s what