The American Frontier: Opposing Viewpoints

School Library Journal

Gr 10 Up-Collections of primary-source material by experts, policy makers, and concerned citizens that present a balanced view of respective historical periods. Puritanism voices the opinions of this group in terms of what they believed constituted an ideal community and the individual's role in relation to it, how they dealt with members of other faiths, and how much they felt the church should regulate the state. The American Frontier includes articles by journalists and politicians, natives and immigrants, expansionists and conservationists. Chapter prefaces and introductions to each piece place the issue in historical context. The selections are fascinating, but the reading is challenging, due to changes in language patterns over the years. A few well-chosen photos, textual inserts, and boxed quotations add appeal. Questions for discussion are provided for each chapter. Valuable resources for serious students of American history.-Sandra L. Doggett, Linganore High School, Frederick, MD

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10--Using well-documented primary sources, Morey details her subject's enormous impact on this country, from her ceaseless efforts to expand opportunities for women and minority groups to her precedent-setting changes in the role of First Lady, to her efforts to promote world peace and human rights. The author includes material about Roosevelt's personal life, mainly to explain how they affected the woman she became or the actions she took. Very admiring of Roosevelt, and obviously viewing her as a strong role model for both young women and First Ladies, Morey nonetheless includes both some of the contemporary criticism that Roosevelt faced and some analysis of her attitudes and actions. Black-and-white photos are of average quality; sidebars include excerpts from Roosevelt's many published works and those of people who knew her. This book is not as attractive as Russell Freedman's heavily illustrated Eleanor Roosevelt (Clarion, 1993), which is a more personal and readable look at this woman's life and achievements, but it does offer readers the kind of analysis that explains why Roosevelt has become one of the most celebrated women of this century. It is a good choice for researchers and report writers.--Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO

Carolyn Phelan

In keeping with the aim of the new American History series and the traditional Opposing Viewpoints format, this book draws on many sources to present varied views of the American frontier. Each chapter represents aspects of a particular theme: the Native American, the pioneer, race and gender, the creation of mythic heroes, and popular culture. Excerpts in "The Frontier and the Native American" chapter include "The Indian Cannot Be Civilized" by George Armstrong Custer, "The Indian Cannot Be Civilized by Force, Starvation, and Hypocrisy" by nineteenth-century writer Helen Hunt Jackson, "The Military Protects Civilization from Savages" by George Armstrong Custer, and "The Military Savagely Destroys the Indians," testimony and affidavits from U.S. congressional investigations. The volume ends with discussion questions, a chronology, and a lengthy annotated bibliography. An interesting compilation of source material on the frontier.