(4) 4-6 All About America series. Concentrating mostly on America in the nineteenth century, these overviews present their topics on busily designed pages. Lots of text boxes, sidebars, and captioned illustrations and drawings compete for space with the main texts. There's a fair amount of information in each book, but the crowded pages may deter some readers. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these All About America titles: Stagecoaches and Railroads, The Industrial Revolution, Explorers, Trappers, and Pioneers, and A Nation of Immigrants.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Brief overviews of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the American fur trade preface an entertaining, somewhat disjointed look at seven notable mountain men of the Old West, including Kit Carson and Jim Beckwourth. Robust illustrations with strong lines and earthy tones enhance the exaggerated humor of these larger-than-life men. A map is provided on the endpapers. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Pamela McCuen