War, Terrible War: 1855-1865 A History of US Book 6 [Paperback]

Joy Hakim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 6, 2007 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: History of US (Book 6)

Riveting, moving, and impossible to put down, War, Terrible War takes us into the heart of the Civil War, from the battle of Manassas to the battle of Gettysburg and on to the South's surrender at Appomattox Court House. Follow the common soldiers in blue and gray as they endure long marches, freezing winter camps, and the bloodiest battles ever fought on American soil. Off the war fields, War, Terrible War captures the passion and commitment of abolitionists and slaveowners alike in their fiery debates throughout the land. With profiles of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, John Brown, Harriet Tubman, Jefferson Davis, soldiers on both sides, slave owners, abolitionists, average citizens, and others, War, Terrible War is the compelling story of a people affected by the horrors of war during this tragic and dramatic period in A History of US.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[An] exciting series... Ms. Hakim braids multiple narratives together to bring alive material long dead to children's imaginations."--The New York Times Book Review

"Joy Hakim didn't rewrite history. But she did make it a whole lot more fun to read."--Education Week

"Readers young and old will find themselves amused, amazed, and engrossed by this searching, opinionated survey. In every sense a fresh look at our history." --Kirkus Reviews

"Merits every accolade, starting with the most personal: I couldn't put it down."--Washington Post Book World

"The liveliest, most realistic, most well-received American history series ever written for children."--Los Angeles Times

"A thorough and accurate narrative of our nation's history."--The Philadelphia Inquirer

"I think this is the best American history written for young people that I have ever seen."--David Herbert Donald, Harvard University; Pulitzer prize-winning author of Lincoln

"When master storyteller Joy Hakim wields her pen, you're in for a breathtaking adventure."--Teaching K-8

"An attention to detail and drama alike make these recommended choices for not only readers ages 8-13 but for entire families."--Children's Bookwatch

"Absorbing, real and even fun to read."--Voice of Youth Advocates

"Books of real substance that speak directly to kids."--Jean Fritz, author of Shhh, We're Writing the Constitution

"One of the best nonfiction series of the decade. Impossible to put down."--School Library Journal

About the Author

Joy Hakim is a former newspaper writer and editor and elementary school teacher who holds a bachelor's degree in government from Smith College and a master's degree in education from Goucher College.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3rd Revised edition (February 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195327209
• ISBN-13: 978-0195327205
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #209,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Children's Books > History > Military & Wars

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Parents as Well as Kids, December 12, 2009

By 

Michel Patrick (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: War, Terrible War: 1855-1865 A History of US Book 6 (Paperback)

My 10 year old loves Civil War History. He loves this book! It's also great for adults and teens as well. It's clear and concise with great pictures. We plan to invest in the entire series.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun introduction to history, September 12, 2009

By 

D. DeBoer (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: War, Terrible War: 1855-1865 A History of US Book 6 (Paperback)

My 2nd grader found the material very accessible. The books are not technically rigorous (appropriately so for a younger audience), but do offer a nice balanced introduction to the history of the US.

5.0 out of 5 stars Lively History, February 28, 2011

By 

Duane Moyer (Perkasie, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: War, Terrible War: 1855-1865 A History of US Book 6 (Paperback)

About the series - A History of US: I wish I'd had Joy Hakim's series when I was in school. As a kid, I hated history. Until I began to connect with the personalities who made it all happen, I would have agreed with Henry Ford's assessment - "History is Bunk." I've learned that history is the story of people who made choices that have lasting consequences. It's not just about the past: it's about learning to look to the future and weighing the outcomes of today's choices. Joy Hakim underlines the importance of the individual's choices by weaving history around the stories of some surprising players - not all of whom are famous. Most reviewers assume she was writing for children, and the style and layout of the books are surely accessible to kids, but her books are great for anyone of any age who would like to re-discover the fascinating story of American History. Since we started reading this series, my home-schooled daughter has become a self-starter in History class. I myself have read the whole series just for pleasure.

I've read some critiques of Hakim's bias, particularly in the later volumes. As a home-schooling parent, I want my daughter to learn to think critically, so I am not afraid to have her encounter bias and controversy. In any case, the news is full of it today, and so much of it is the outworking of historical forces. I'm there to help her think things through from cause to outcome. I believe that's one of the main reasons for studying history in the first place. I certainly wouldn't avoid this series for that reason.

A suggestion for other home-schoolers: Instead of giving quizzes and tests, I'm having my daughter do the opposite. She is interested in becoming a teacher, so I'm having her make up quizzes and tests from the material. I judge her questions on the basis of clarity, completeness, and variety (factual, matching, multiple choice, essay). She must of course take her own test a couple of days later. Seems to be working out just fine and, as I said earlier, she looks forward to history class.