Customer Reviews

A History of US: Book 3: From Colonies to Country 1735-1791

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"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.

I was reading page 52 to my daughter who has dyslexia:

"George wanted to be a good king. But to be a good king you need some wisdom, and George III didn't have much. He wasn't anywhere as smart as you are. When George was 10 he was just beginning to learn to read. He never read well. His mother was often heard saying to him, "Be a king, George." Maybe she realized that he wasn't made of kingly material."

My daughter who is almost 13 didn't start to read consistently until she was 10, and she doesn't read very well yet because she has a learning disability. HOW DO YOU THINK SHE FELT WHEN THIS TEXT WAS READ TO HER?

I would love to hear the author's response to this: does Ms. Hakim believe that the child who has difficulty reading is not as smart as the one who reading fluently?

This is abject discrimination and should be removed from future editions of this book.

My daughter was reading "The First Americans" in school & asked for more books by Joy Hakim for Christmas. Hakim writes history in a way that makes it relevant and interesting. All of her books in this series are excellent.

Joy Hakim is a master storyteller. Her series of books are enjoyable to children and adults. Her presentation style makes history understandable, even if you never seemed to "get it" as a student. History teachers -- PLEASE TAKE A LESSON HERE!! Definitely worth the price.