(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

(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) YA Historical American Biographies series. Although formulaic (each volume in this series begins with a dramatic in medias res moment from the subject's life and ends with a chapter detailing his or her historical legacy), these books contain solid biographical information. The main texts balance personal and professional facts; sidebars offer intriguing supplemental matter. The books are illustrated with black-and-white photos. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Historical American Biographies titles: Carry A. Nation, Harry Houdini, William Tecumseh, Henry Ford, and George Eastman.]

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(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

(4) YA Historical American Biographies series. This competently written biography profiles the late-nineteenth-century artist who created some of America's most indelible images, such as the Republican elephant and Santa Claus. While some examples of Nast's work are included, the book would have benefited from a few more of Nast's illustrations, especially ones specifically described in the text. Archival photos, maps, and a chronology are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. These effective, if formulaic, biographies are well documented with chapter notes. Information boxes supplement the main texts (for instance, a reference to Mark Twain seeing a Pony Express rider is accompanied by a sidebar that provides a brief overview of the Express). Unexceptional black-and-white photos illustrate the lucidly written books. Time lines are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(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

(3) YA Historical American Biographies series. Adequately written biographies trace the lives and accomplishments of three notable American figures. Strengths as well as weaknesses are related, with personal flaws and foibles presented in proper journalistic fashion, with little editorializing. The books are illustrated with black-and-white photographs and reproductions, and the final chapter of each discusses the historical legacy of the subject. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.