(4) YA Historical American Biographies series. Four prominent figures in American political and cultural history are profiled in these volumes. In general, the competently written books offer informative, well-balanced portrayals of each subject. Clay, in particular, is marred by some poor transitions and confusing photo captions. Dark black-and-white photos and reproductions illustrate the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Historical American Biographies titles: Eugene V. Debs, Emily Dickinson, Amelia Earhart, and Henry Clay.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) 4-6 American War series. The formulaic volumes in this series each begin by recounting a key moment in a battle, followed by chapters that discuss the conflict's origins, trace the arc of the war to its resolution, then reflect on the lasting legacy of that war. Illustrated with black-and-white photographs and reproductions, the books are written in a dry but thorough textbooklike prose. Timelines are included. Bib., ind. [Review covers these American War titles: The Mexican War, The Spanish-American War, and The War of 1812.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Carey looks at events before and after the implementation of the Proclamation and discusses the roles Congress and the president played in its becoming law. Readers will get a sense of Lincoln as a politician who initially had to be convinced of the political wisdom of freeing the slaves but later held firmly to a belief in freedom for all. Archival reproductions and sepia-toned photos illustrate the book, and a time line is included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Barbara Barstow

(4) 4-6 Slick, glossy pages illustrated with sepia photos (some of which are used in more than one book) lend these slim biographies a magazine-like look. A general understanding of African-American history emerges from volume to volume while the individual is the focus of each. The at-times graphic photos are themselves a visual history. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Mary Burkey