From School Library Journal
YA. Some 50 years ago, the Freedom Train visited cities across the country displaying approximately 130 key documents in American history. Inspired by the concept, Agel came up with an eclectic, chronological collection of documents and has divided them into 15 sections that cover a span from 1570 ("The Iroquois Federation") to 1996 ("Senator Dole Takes Up the Gauntlet"). Each section is introduced with an essay by historian Dr. Milton Cantor that gives an overview of the topic and a survey of critical issues in American history. The usefulness of this volume is enhanced by a chronological and an alphabetical index. Readers will find not only the expected?the Constitution and the Bill of Rights?but also other documents that reflect the vast diversity in opinions, deeds, and thoughts that formed our country: "Baseball's Original Rules of 1845," "Nixon's Resignation Speech 1974," "The Right Thing to Do?Gays in the Military," and "Roe v. Wade" to mention a few. Browsers and researchers alike will find plenty of food for thought here.?Carol Clark, R. E. Lee High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
These two books attempt to characterize Americans in slightly different ways. In the Book of American Values and Virtues, freelance editors Bruun and Getzen take a traditional, patriotic approach, trying to show America at its best. The first seven of 14 chapters are headed with phrases from the Preamble to the Constitution, with each further organized by related subjects. Most passages are short, generally complimentary quotes from such famous Americans as Thomas Jefferson and current celebrities such as Garrison Keillor and Whoopi Goldberg. The index lists only those quoted; no subjects or topics are indexed. In Words That Make America Great, Agel (coauthor of Amending America, LJ 4/1/93) includes longer selections arranged topically, some focusing on specific historical periods such as the Civil War and some concerned with an idea like "A Fire Within." Agel includes all the basic historical documents but goes further to provide less familiar pieces, e.g., "Baseball's Original Rules" and George Carlin's "Seven Dirty Words" comedy routine as cited by the Federal Communications Commission. The selections run the historical gamut from the Mayflower Compact to Robert Dole's resignation speech. Historian Milton Cantor has written the introductions to each section, setting each in historical perspective. All public libraries should have a copy of American Values and Virtues, though its lack of a comprehensive index limits its use as a reference tool. Words That Make America Great should also be on public library shelves; its indexes make it an easy reference tool. Academic libraries will want to consider, too.?Grant A. Fredericksen, Illinois Prairie Dist. P.L., Metamora
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
