(4) 4-6 United States at War series. These overviews effectively combine history, political action, and military strategies and tactics, providing a readable view on two wars fought on American soil. The authors creatively utilize quotes from participants in and witnesses of the conflicts. Color and black-and-white photographs and maps help spruce up an uninspired design. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these United States at War titles: The American Revolution, and The Civil War.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) 4-6 United States at War series. These overviews focus on history, political significance, and military strategy and action, and how the title wars' outcomes affected future events. The authors creatively utilize quotes from political leaders, soldiers, and citizens of countries fighting in the wars. Color and black-and-white photographs and maps help spruce up an uninspired design. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these United States at War titles: The Vietnam War, World War I, World War II in Europe, and World War II in the Pacific.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Americans--The Spirit of a Nation series. From heroes and heroines to bandits and beloved American icons, these balanced titles consistently sort fact from fiction and confirm each figure's place in history. First chapters successfully introduce the subjects and draw readers in by describing dynamic events. Archival photographs, maps, primary sources, and sidebars combine with dry but informative texts to complete these well-documented biographies. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Americans--The Spirit of a Nation titles: Jesse James, Dolley Madison, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, John Brown, Harriet Tubman, Billy the Kid, and Johnny Appleseed.

Reviewer: Tamara DePasquale

(4) YA Rulers of the Middle Ages series. During the Middle Ages, powerful Mongol leader Genghis Khan marched across most of Asia, bending tribe after tribe, group after group, to his will. The book's attention to detail can be overwhelming, but many subheads and some graphics and art reproductions break up the information. A strong final chapter places the empire in context. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) YA Rulers of the Ancient World series. Well written and engaging, each of these biographies paints a complete portrait of a pivotal historical figure and places him securely in the context of his time. The lucid prose receives further support from an uncluttered design (including black-and-white illustrations and photos, sidebars, and maps) and well-placed subheads. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Rulers of the Ancient World titles: Julius Caesar and Ramesses II.

Reviewer: Amy Lois Cohn

(3) 4-6 America's Founding Fathers series. Each of these clear, straightforward biographies begins with a chapter highlighting a pivotal moment in each man's career. Following chapters trace the subject's life from childhood to adulthood. Black-and-white archival images and sidebars help to break up and extend the text. These are useful resources for history buffs as well as report writers. Addresses, reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these America's Founding Fathers titles: Gouverneur Morris, James Madison, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(3) 4-6 America's Founding Fathers series. Each of these clear, straightforward biographies begins with a chapter highlighting a pivotal moment in each man's career. Following chapters trace the subject's life from childhood to adulthood. Black-and-white archival images and sidebars help to break up and extend the text. These are useful resources for history buffs as well as report writers. Addresses, reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these America's Founding Fathers titles: Gouverneur Morris, James Madison, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.

Reviewer: Jim St. Claire

(4) 4-6 In American History series. Highlighting a specific time period, coverage in Thirteen Colonies and Revolutionary War is sketchy and overgeneralized in places. Roanoke Colony fares better with more thorough information and intriguing details. Black-and-white reproductions are sometimes blurry. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these In American History titles: The Mysterious Disappearance of Roanoke Colony in American History, The Thirteen Colonies from Founding to Revolution in American History, and The Revolutionary War and George Washington's Army in American History.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 America's Founding Fathers series. Although these laudatory biographies gloss over the more controversial aspects of their subjects' lives and characters (Washington's involvement in an attack on a diplomatic party, Hamilton's and Jefferson's respective mudslinging campaigns), they will provide report writers with basic information. Black-and-white images appear throughout. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these America's Founding Fathers titles: George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. These competently written biographies cover a wide range of subjects who lived between the American Revolution and World War II. The texts are supplemented by black-and-white photographs and reproductions, as well as information boxes that provide colorful background information or place events within historical context. The final pages of each volume discuss the legacy of each subject. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. Three nineteenth-century notables who flourished in politics, civil rights, and the arts are profiled in the thorough biographies in this series. Supplemented by black-and-white photos and reproductions, the clear text features occasional information boxes that provide additional color or place events within a historical context. Each volume ends with a chapter discussing the subject's legacy. A time line is included. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Historical American Biographies titles: Daniel Webster, Dorothea Dix, Edgar Allan Poe.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. These books present informative looks at eight American figures. For the most part, the authors dispell myths and discuss each subject's flaws as well as strengths--Billy the Kid and Mary Todd Lincoln are most successful at this, Custer is less well rounded. Black-and-white archival photos, illustrations, maps, and sidebars help to establish time and place. A chronology is included in each book. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. The lives of six famous figures are profiled in clear prose and illustrated with black-and-white photographs, reproductions, and maps. Information boxes provide diverting sidelights to the well-documented texts, and each volume ends with a chapter reiterating the achievements and historical legacy of the subject. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta