The Dred Scott Decision (Cornerstones of Freedom) [Paperback]

Brendan January (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cornerstones of Freedom

Dramatic and defining moments in American history come vividly the life in the Cornerstones of Freedom series.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-A clear and detailed account of the Supreme Court decision of 1857 concerning slavery. This controversial judgment was one of the many factors that led the United States toward civil war. January explores the reasons the case was brought to trial, the long legal battle fought and lost, and the politics of the issue. The writing is not difficult, but it is somewhat dry. Interspersed thoroughout the book are many full-color and black-and-white photographs and reproductions. These illustrations evoke a sense of the period and include portraits of many of the prominent figures in the drama. Two maps help locate the relevant events. Large print and wide margins lend a clean, uncluttered look to the text. Those with an interest in the case will be captivated by the account and researchers will find more than enough information for a report.
Stephani Hutchinson, Pioneer Elementary School, Sunnyside, WA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Childrens Pr (August 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0516264575
• ISBN-13: 978-0516264578
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,358,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Simple Way to Examine a Complicated Subject, March 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dred Scott Decision (Cornerstones of Freedom) (Paperback)

I had to write a paper on the Dred Scott Decision. Although I am not of the age group group that this book is geared towards, it explained the very complicated subject in a simple way that was very informal. It was quite useful in writing the paper and I would recommend it to children as well as adults interested in important rulings of the supreme court and history.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A first-rate examination of the infamous Dred Scott decision, February 7, 2002

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dred Scott Decision (Cornerstones of Freedom) (Library Binding)

Of course it is very ironic that "The Dred Scott Decision" is one of the volumes in the "Cornerstones of Freedom" series because the 1857 U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding slavery is one of the darker moments in the nation's history. Brendan January does an excellent job of presenting this infamous decision in its historical context. This is an extremely informative book that covers every stage of the case, culminating in not only the major arguments in Chief Justice Roger Taney's majority decision but the dissenting opinion offered by Justice Benjamin Curtis. January makes it clear that the decision was based more on the prejudices of the justices than Constitutional principles. The only omission of any significance I can see is that January does not talk about the geographical limitations that were stopping the spread of cotton into the southwest, which threatened the precarious balance between the free and slave states in the U.S. Senate. This was what forced the slavery issue to a head as much as anything else, but given the comprehensive presentation of the issues and personalities involved in this case, this is a minor quibble (besides, I love the aside January provides that Missouri supreme court justice Judge William Scott was not related to Dred Scott). High school students will be hard pressed to find a comparable volume for their own age group that provides as much information about the Dred Scott decision as this volume. I have found the "Cornerstones of Freedom" series to be very good across the board.