From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up?Three readable, well-crafted titles that help to fill large gaps in the story of our nation. Each author relates the events of the period from the viewpoints of people of color and ethnic minorities, as well as those of the European American majority. Extensive quotations from primary sources appear throughout. Uschan's examination of the origins of the First World War, the participation by America's "melting pot" population, and the post-Armistice results appears at a most opportune time. An informative inset, "Sarajevo, then and now," traces the roots of current internecine wars. Readers are told about discrimination against German-Americans and the migration of Southern African Americans to the cities and wartime factories of the North. Wright paints an objective picture of the various groups involved in the Vietnam War, at home and overseas, and reflects on how that conflict is still a part of this nation's psyche. Zell describes the irony of white European men fighting for "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" while Native Americans were losing their ancestral homes, African Americans were in slavery, and women of all ranks and poor male European settlers had very few political rights. The author concludes that the Revolution left us a legacy of the ideals that we all need to preserve and extend. All of the books have striking full-color and black-and-white photos and reproductions, informative sidebars, and a detailed index. The only drawback is that the densely printed pages may put off some readers. Three titles eminently worthy of sharing a shelf with more traditional histories.?David A. Lindsey, Lakewood High and Middle School Libraries, WA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
