The Civil War

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Introductory chapters explain primary sources and how they serve as clues to understand the past. Succeeding chapters present the words of soldiers, civilians, journalists, politicians, and common folk that participated in or witnessed the events of the Civil War and the conquest of the American West. Civil War addresses the issue of slavery, the life of a soldier, battles, women, medicine, Reconstruction, and more. West outlines the concept of frontier and discusses explorers, mountain men, miners, overland trails, women and children, life and jobs, and the fate of Native Americans. In both books, each chapter has a short introduction followed by the documents and one to three textbooklike questions ("Why was there so much marching to be done?" "Why were the travelers so worn out?" "Why did the Mormons rejoice on seeing the newcomers?"). These colorful volumes have attractive layouts and include maps, reproductions, and archival photographs. Excellent introductions to historical research.-Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.