From Library Journal
In approximately 200 articles ranging from one paragraph to several pages and covering everything from John Adams to the Whiskey Rebellion, Grizzard (political science, Middle Tennessee State Univ.) gives us anyone, anyplace, or anything at all relevant to George Washington. Each of the alphabetically arranged entries includes the topic or name, the date, the significance to Washington, cross references to related entries in the book, and a short bibliography; sometimes, extensive background information is given that thoroughly explains the topic's place in Washington's life. Grizzard ranges widely, offering entries that include a four-page article on the Marquis de Lafayette, one of Washington's trusted friends; a three-page article on Charles Lee, who was court-martialed under Washington; and treatments of Mt. Vernon and the Natural Bridge in Virginia, which Washington is believed to have referenced in several letters. Selected writings, a chronology, and lists of family members, the military officers with whom he served, and the executive officers during his presidency round out the text. More than a companion for those reading about Washington's life, this work is also an interesting and sometimes detailed reference work on Colonial and Revolutionary America. Recommended for all academic and most public libraries. Grant A. Fredericksen, Prairie Dist. P.L., Metamora, IL
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
New titles in the ABC-CLIO Biographical Companions series, these volumes offers the user a wealth of information on two U.S. presidents, one an icon and the other relatively unknown and underappreciated.
"The first encyclopedic work devoted exclusively to Washington" surveys Washington's personal life, family, business dealings, and correspondents as well as his roles as military leader and president. Most of the alphabetically arranged entries cover three categories of information: people (Jefferson, Thomas; Lafayette; Washington, Mary Ball ); events (Boston, siege of; Whiskey Rebellion; Yorktown, battle of ); and interests (Balloons; James River Company; Last will and testament ). Many entries are three or four pages long, allowing fairly detailed treatment. All conclude with cross-references and suggestions for further reading that are primary materials. Following the A-Z entries are selections from Washington's writings; a chronology; lists of family connections, "military family members," and principal executive officers during Washington's presidency; and a bibliography.
The Polk volume is similarly arranged. Following A-Z entries covering people, events, and concepts important to understanding Polk's life and times, there are selected primary documents, a chronology, a bibliography, and an index. The researcher can better comprehend Polk's personality, political acumen, and accomplishments after reading entries such as Assassination threats; Boyhood and early edu cation; Cuba; Dueling; Friends; Health; Polk, Sarah Childress; Smithsonian Institution; and Wilmot Proviso as well as those describing significant historical figures of the times. Each entry is followed by see also references and a bibliography of primary and secondary sources.
Younger researchers might have benefited from annotations of both the primary documents and the general bibliographies in the two volumes. Black-and-white illustrations and color portraits on the front covers further enhance the works, which should prove helpful to anyone interested in these presidents or the periods during which they lived and served. Recommended for high-school, public, and academic libraries. RBB
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