Profiles in American History - Westward Expansion to the Civil War: Significant Events and the People Who Shaped Them - Hardcover

Moss, Joyce; Wilson, George

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810392119 ISBN 13: 9780810392113

Publisher: U·X·L, 1994

Synopsis

This accessible, 8-vol. reference focuses students attention on 160 notable individuals who have shaped American history, from the exploration of the continent to the present. Each chronologically arranged volume ties key people to significant events during a particular era. Balanced not only in gender and ethnic background, but also in viewpoint, the biographies in Profiles in American History offer a unique slant on event-based teaching. Stand-alone volumes include chapter-specific timelines; maps, illustrations and photographs; sidebars highlighting key facts; a bibliography; and a cumulative subject index.

About this title

From Booklist

In this proposed eight-volume set, each volume encompasses a specific time period, focusing on 5 to 7 events and 20 people who helped shape those events. The intent of the series is to expose middle-school and high-school readers to the diversity of personalities who left their mark on America. The use of portraits, maps, excerpts from primary sources, and sidebars containing related information is intended not only to increase the research value of the series, but also to make history more relevant to readers.

The Board saw volumes 1 and 2. Volume 3, Indian Removal to the Antislavery Movement, is also available. The remaining volumes will be published by the end of the year, with volume 8 covering the civil rights movement to the present. Volume 1 covers from early exploration through the American Revolution. The five topics covered are "Exploration," "Colonization," "French and Indian War," "Declarations of Independence," and "Revolutionary War." Of the 20 persons covered, two are Native American, four are women, and the rest are males of European ancestry. Each event is preceded by a time line and general introduction. The unsigned biographies include personal background, role of the participant in the event, and the aftermath, with an explanation of that person's legacy to later events. Sources, which are cited in the body of the biography, are mainly current or classics in the field. Portraits of the biographees are included when possible. Those for whom portraits are unavailable have a related illustration. Volume 2 similarly covers the Constitutional Convention to the War of 1812, including the Lewis and Clark expedition and the birth of American literature. Native Americans, African Americans, and women are all represented. A subject index concludes each volume. As in all selective works, readers will question the inclusion of some events and persons and the exclusion of others.

While biographical information on most of the subjects is available elsewhere, the vocabulary, simple explanation of events, and obvious interrelation of people and events make this a good source for middle-school libraries or high schools needing material for lower-level students. The impetus for further research by more advanced students is provided by mention of certain aspects of a person's life not directly related to the subject at hand, such as Thomas Jefferson's views of slavery.

Review

"Large print, an easy-to-read text, and features such as sidebars make this an attractive reference resource. Besides serving as a reference, the series could be used as an alternative to a classroom textbook. Recommended."
-- The Book Report (October 1995) (Book Report 19951001)

"The strength of this source is accessibility for the middle school student."
-- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

"Explores the lives of a wide variety of individuals who influenced American history. Multicultural in approach. This excellent all-around American history reference should see active use in any library frequented by school-aged children."
-- Four Star Reviews, Alabama Public Service Library (June 1997) (19970601)

"The writing is clear and informative, and the many interesting details will hold readers' interest."
-- School Library Journal (May 1995) (19950501)

"These volumes provide a source of information appropriate for middle schoolers and remedial high school students. The volumes are well-organized, with subject indexes and bibliographies. The simple explanation of events will make this particularly useful to student researchers. This outstanding biographical reference set would be an asset to any school or public library collection."
-- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (February 1995) (19950201)

"The use of portraits, maps, excerpts from primary sources, and sidebars containing related information is intended not only to increase the research value of the series, but also to make history more relevant to readers. While biographical information on most of the subjects is available elsewhere, the vocabulary, simple explanation of events, and obvious interrelation of people and events make this a good source for middle-school libraries or high schools needing material for lower-level students. The impetus for further research by more advanced students is provided by mention of certain aspects of a person's life not directly related to the subject at hand, such as Thomas Jefferson's views of slavery."
-- Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin (04/01/94)

(19940401)

About this edition

• Publisher: U·X·L
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0810392119
• ISBN 13: 9780810392113
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 274