(3) YA Dressing a Nation: The History of U.S. Fashion series. This series documents women's and men's clothing, hairstyles and accessories, designers, and inventions of the different periods. Well-researched texts provide clear explanations of the ways important historical events, people, and technology of the times influenced how clothes were designed, made, purchased, and worn. Numerous archival photos and entertaining sidebars contribute to a lively read. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers these Dressing a Nation: The History of U.S. Fashion titles: Hoopskirts, Union Blues, and Confederate Grays, The Little Black Dress and Zoot Suits, and Petticoats and Frock Coats.

Reviewer: Sethany Rancier Alongi

(3) 4-6 Trailblazer Biography series. This thorough biography traces the extraordinary, controversial life of early feminist Victoria Woodhull, from her younger days as a spiritual healer through her later life as a suffragette and pioneering businesswoman and, most notably, the first female presidential candidate in the United States. Woodhull's outspoken ways and progressive thinking are supported in the text by photographs and speech excerpts. Reading list, source notes, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(4) 4-6 Presidential Leaders series. Six presidents--from Warren Harding, whom historians rate one of the worst, to Theodore Roosevelt, whose popularity resulted in a stuffed animal being named for him--are profiled in these laudatory biographies. Report writers will find the basic facts here but will need to look elsewhere for more comprehensive coverage. Black-and-white period photos and reproductions break up the dull texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Presidential Leaders titles: William H. Taft, Andrew Johnson, Warren G. Harding, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Theodore Roosevelt.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) YA A & E Biography series. Though centuries may separate the subjects of the volumes in this series, all have played prominent political or cultural roles. Their life stories are relayed in sometimes rushed prose, but these books will make acceptable starting points for those seeking basic biographical information. The texts are accompanied by average-quality photos and historical reproductions in black and white and in color. Bib., ind. [Review covers these titles: William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I, Oprah Winfrey, George W. Bush, The Beatles, Benjamin Franklin.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta