Speechmakers and Writers

In addition to being a contest of arms, the U.S. Revolutionary War was a battle of words from which came many important documents such as the Declaration of Independence and "Common sense" by Thomas Paine, portions of ten of which are presented here.

The Revolution was a battle of words as well as a contest of arms. Patriot orators fanned the flames of rebellion while their British rivals cried treason. From this great debate came the Declaration of Independence, the cornerstone of America's belief in freedom and equality.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-These titles tell the story of the American Revolution through letters, journal entries, and other primary-source documents. Each title begins with a brief introduction to the figures and time period covered. Haugen then provides a general time line that is identical in each book. The remainder of each volume is devoted to the specific words of various individuals. Each entry is introduced with a short paragraph or two regarding the person quoted and the events surrounding the creation of the quoted document. The books include a wide range of material, from the Declaration of Independence in Speechmakers to anonymous letters in Soldiers. Many of the excerpts provide interesting personal insights into the writers' lives and times. Glossary boxes appear throughout. The print is small and the mediocre reproductions do little to energize the narratives. However, students in need of primary-source materials may find what they are looking for here if they are willing to wade through the texts.-Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Library, UT Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.