(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

(3) 4-6 Civil War series. This series offers readable, factually sound biographies of Civil War-era leaders. Small, gray sidebars pop up occasionally to link the biography to events in the lives of other famous Americans of the period, specifically those featured in other books of the series. Archival photos, engravings, and a few color portraits, without bibliographic citations, serve as illustrations. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Civil War titles: Frederick Douglass, John Brown, Andrew Johnson, Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Abraham Lincoln.]

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 United States Presidents series. Competent but hardly engaging, each of these three presidential biographies opens with a chapter highlighting a pivotal moment in the subject's life. The focus then shifts to a chronological recounting of each man's life, including information on childhood, early careers, and accomplishments and problems while in office. Black-and-white photographs and reproductions round out each volume. Chronologies are included. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jackie C. Horne