Yankee Whalers (Events in American History)

Cosson, M. J.

ISBN 10: 1600441408 ISBN 13: 9781600441400

Publisher: Rourke Pub Group, 2007

Synopsis

A history of whaling in New England looks at the industry's rise to its nineteenth-century golden years, life on a whaling ship, and the causes for the decline of whaling in the twentieth centry.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4–6—Cosson begins with a description of an early-day whale hunt and then describes the development of Yankee whaling, its struggles during the Revolutionary War, its golden age, life on a whaleship, and the industry's demise. Laager introduces George Washington as a young soldier, briefly explains the main causes of the war, and discusses the major campaigns and battles. Owens discusses the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Following chapters discuss who the Pilgrims were, life on the Mayflower, the first winter in the colony, and the establishment of Plymouth as a permanent settlement. The Mayflower Compact is mentioned and briefly explained. Each title is liberally illustrated with vintage color, sepia, and black-and-white drawings and paintings of the era. Most captions are a repetition of the texts. Boxed quotations from the period appear throughout. Each title concludes with a two-page section of biographical sketches. Libraries needing basic or additional materials at this level should consider these books.—Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS
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From Booklist:

This slender volume offers a colorful introduction to the history of Yankee whaling from the seventeenth-century Nantucket Quakers, who began hunting whales because their land was too poor for farming, to modern tourists, who go on whale watches. Well organized and clearly written, the book does a particularly good job of portraying life on a whaler in the 1800s and showing how whaling fit into broader events, such as the Revolutionary War. Glossy pages allow for excellent color reproduction of period paintings and prints as well as the occasional photo. Sidebars offer background information, while boxed quotes add the voices of anonymous whalers as well as historical figures. A glossary, time line, a section of short biographies, and brief lists of books and Internet sites round out this useful volume from the Events in American History series. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Rourke Pub Group
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1600441408
• ISBN 13: 9781600441400
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 48