Julius Caesar in Gaul and Britain

School Library Journal

Gr 6 UpThese slim volumes present the autobiographical and/or dictated storieswith additional explanatory materialof two very dissimilar participants in some major events of the past. Although Caesar refers to himself in the third person in this excerpt from De Bello Gallico (About the Gallic War), it soon becomes clear through his writing and Ridd's elucidating commentary that the work was intended not only as a description of events, but also as a vehicle for increasing his own power and popularity. His self-portrait reveals a multifaceted, charismatic military and political leader. This title complements well Roger Bruns's Julius Caesar (Chelsea, 1988) and George Ochoa's The Assassination of Julius Caesar (Silver Burdett, 1991). In sharp contrast to Caesar is Charles Ball, little known even in the land of his birth, for he was a runaway slave. His dictated Slavery in the United States (1837) serves as the source for Shuter's book. Ball relates his story in an understated manner that makes the events more moving and exciting than those accounts laced with abolitionist hyperbole and cant. Ball's life included being separated from his mother, sisters, and father; two escapes to freedom; and service against the British during the War of 1812. His words may encourage readers to seek out Arna Bontemps's Great Slave Narratives (Beacon, 1969) or Virginia Hamilton's Many Thousand Gone (Knopf, 1992). Both of these series titles have an effective use of white space; colorful photographs, reproductions, and maps; and informative sidebars. Worthy additions to any collection.David A. Lindsey, Lakewood High and Middle School Libraries, WA