(4) 4-6 Holocaust in History series. Set between the end of World War I and 1939, this book chronicles the events in Germany that enabled Hitler to organize the Nazi Party and eventually establish himself as dictator and briefly touches on the seeds of the Holocaust. The lackluster text, illustrated with archival photos, presents events in an accessible, sequential format but is often too abbreviated for the complex topic. Chapter notes, maps, websites, timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(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) 4-6 20th Century Perspectives series. Each double-page spread in these books focuses on a specific aspect of the causes of the featured war, from the people in power to the backdoor diplomacy that made war inevitable. Although the information is sound, the pages are overcrowded with text boxes, maps, and photographs. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind. [Review covers these 20th Century Perspectives titles: The Causes of World War I and The Causes of World War II.]

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(2) YA Giblin offers a straightforward if somewhat distant account of Hitler's life from his youth to his last, desperate days in the bunker. This book focuses on his wartime role as Führer seeking domination of the European continent and features detailed accounts of specific military victories and defeats. Illustrated with black-and-white photos, the volume is well documented with chapter-by-chapter source notes. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2002

(3) YA Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union series. Illustrated by Melanie Reim. In Communism, Gottfried calls Communism "a dream that failed..." and traces the complex history of the Russian Empire, the fall of the Tsarist regime, and the beginning of Communist rule with fairness and a clear eye for detail. Stalinist paints a vivid picture of Stalin's political pathology and his hunger for power. Archival photos, a map, and text boxes extend the well-written narrative. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union titles: The Road to Communism and The Stalinist Empire.]

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) YA Themed double-page spreads ("The Anti-Jewish Boycott," "Dutch Resistance") arranged in a loose chronology showcase well-reproduced archival photographs that give historical context to Anne Frank's famous diary. Based on a traveling exhibition produced by the Anne Frank House, the book is somewhat abbreviated but provides a valuable range of captioned images that serve as both information and evidence.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton