(4) YA Notable Americans series. This lucid, considered biography examines how Albright's Czechoslovakian family's experience as Jews during World War II informed her character as she pursued a political career culminating in her stint as the first female U.S. secretary of state. The book is marred by poorly reproduced black-and-white images of Albright and her colleagues and by its blurry color close-up cover shot. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) YA Notable Americans series. Barraging readers with names, dates, places, and events, this portrait of the military and political leader includes discussion of his personal and professional disappointments. The rushed text covers Houston's relationship with the Cherokee Nation and his divided loyalties between Andrew Jackson and Cherokee Chief Jolly. Black-and-white illustrations are included. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) YA Notable Americans series. Born in Jamaica, Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association in 1914, immigrated to (and was later deported from) the United States, and was an advocate in the Back to Africa movement. Illustrated with black-and-white photos, this biography acknowledges many of Garvey's professional and personal difficulties but also affirms his importance as a historical figure who influenced pride in racial heritage. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(4) YA Notable Americans series. The career of Jimmy Carter, from his childhood and Navy days through his presidency and current work for international peace, is presented in clear prose; his personality is mainly delineated through anecdotes and quotes. Overall, this biography, whose few black-and-white photos are small and poorly reproduced, gives a broad, gentle portrait of the humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) YA Notable Americans series. Three spies for the Union (Sarah Emma Edmonds, Pauline Cushman, Elizabeth Van Lew) and three for the Confederacy (Belle Boyd, Rose Greenhow, Belle Edmondson) are profiled in this collective biography. The book is a well-documented account of daring women, but the plethora of facts tends to overwhelm the narrative. Archival photos are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) YA Notable Americans series. This accessible and vigorous if only serviceably written biography tracks its subject from his humble days in a financially unstable Texas family of politicians through his ascension, following JFK's assassination, as the thirty-sixth president of the United States. Colbert covers Johnson's civil rights advocacy, "War on Poverty," and complex role in the Vietnam War. Drab black-and-white photos accompany the text. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) YA Notable Americans series. A detailed look at the Quaker girl who became famous for her lavish clothes and A-list parties, this biography follows Dolley Payne Madison from her plain upbringing through her first marriage to a lawyer (who died of yellow fever) to her subsequent marriage to James Madison and her role as First Lady. Black-and-white reproductions illustrate the text. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(4) YA Notable Americans series. In chronicling his life from birth through the middle of his first year as president, this admiring biography emphasizes Bush's winning personality but reports his various scrapes as well. The writing style is poor and often pretentious, but the inclusion of the more controversial aspects of Bush's life is commendable. The book contains a time line and several black-and-white photos. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) YA Notable Americans series. This laudatory biography of the diplomat, governor, president, and architect is marred by poor grammar and a somewhat jarring way of referring to Jefferson as "Tom." Whitelaw does, however, cover many aspects of Jefferson's life, including his lifelong love of architecture, gardening, and book collecting, and unlike other biographies, this does not gloss over his relationship with his slave, Sally Hemings. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(3) YA Notable Americans series. John Adams's zeal for public service and his impressive record therein were fueled by altruism laced with ego, a mixture that this readable biography presents well. Using carefully documented material, the author offers a balanced, smooth account presented in clear, concise prose. Archival portraits and drawings illustrate the book. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) YA Notable Americans series. A balanced and measured view of the politically driven, often mean-spirited president whose considerable accomplishments and talents were more than overshadowed by the Watergate fiasco and his ultimate resignation. The simply written text, accompanied by occasional black-and-white photos, effectively employs Nixon quotes from public record. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) YA Notable Americans series. A crisply written, informative text tells the story of a Hungarian-Jewish immigrant to America who escaped both Nazi persecution and Communist oppression. Grove became the successful head of the company that led the development of the microprocessor and made the microcomputer revolution possible. The text focuses on his personal and professional life, and well-chosen black-and-white photos complement the narrative. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(4) YA Notable Americans series. Contradictory, controversial Victoria Woodhull ran for president in 1872, when women weren't even allowed to vote. McLean highlights her many amazing accomplishments and excuses her more scandalous causes (her spiritualism, her early advocacy and later recantation of "free love"), presenting a clear, coherent narrative of an admirable life. Poorly reproduced photos illustrate the book. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) YA Notable Americans series. In an effortless, flowing narrative, Collins sketches the short life of a musical genius who revolutionized the playing of jazz cornet. Marred by occasional fictionalized dialogue, the biography effectively mixes clear descriptions of Bix's musical contributions with an empathetic account of his conflicted life--which ended tragically as a result of his alcoholism. Black-and-white photos accompany the text. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.