Profiles In American History
Book Reviews
School Library Journal, November, 2008
On The Life and Times of Clara Barton and The Life and Times of James Madison
The books are nicely formatted, with small color photographs and reproductions throughout. The writing is clear and informative with a minimal amount of fictionalization and an even treatment of the subjects’ positive and negative traits. The pages are text rich (often 300 words or more) so they contain more information than many other biographies of the same length. Both books have detailed chapter notes. For libraries needing mid-length biographies on these two remarkable Americans, these books are good choices.
School Library Journal, July 2007
On The Life and Times of Betsy Ross and The Life and Times of Nathan Hale
Both books are written in a lively, fast-paced style. Readers will find the texts easy to follow and unencumbered by great detail. The books are illustrated with archival period paintings as well as site photographs. Ross identifies many of the artists whose work is shown, an informative detail that is often neglected. The boldly colored, graphic-laden page design, along with short paragraphs and chapters, will keep report writers moving through the informative texts.
School Library Journal, July 2007
On The Life and Times of John Hancock, The Life and Times of Susan B. Anthony, and The Life and Times of Thomas Jefferson
Serviceable introductions to the lives of three historical figures. Each book opens with a dramatic episode in the individual’s life. For example, the opening chapter in the first book describes Hancock signing the Declaration of Independence; Susan B. Anthony begins with her arrest after illegally voting in an 1872 election. From there, the texts chronicle these people’s lives, providing such highlights as Hancock’s successful shipping business and stints as governor of Massachusetts; Anthony’s work for the women’s rights and temperance movements; and Jefferson’s role in the Revolution and new government, and his conflicting approaches to slavery. Each book has FYI sections throughout that address such topics as Jefferson’s relationship with Sally Hemings, the Susan B. Anthony coin, and Harvard University, which Hancock attended. The books are crisply designed, with clear photographs, drawings, and paintings. Anthony and Hancock are engaging and well organized and would make adequate additions to collections needing new material. Jefferson is a little more complex and some knowledge of such world events as the French Revolution would be helpful.
Booklist, October 2006
On The Life and Times of Eli Whitney
A selection of vintage photos and prints, plus side discussions and references to other print and online resources, kicks this entry in the Profiles in American History series a notch above...
