The Spanish-American War

School Library Journal

Gr 6-12-- Bringing together the many elements that went into the stew pot out of which the Spanish-American War came, this volume is an adequate research aid. It is not, however, without problems; perhaps the biggest is that it arrives on the heels of Albert Marrin's The Spanish-American War (Atheneum, 1991). His narrative is smoothly and gracefully written, presented in a chronological manner that leaves readers with a vivid sense of the U. S. at the end of the 19th century, and of the progress of the war. He integrates the many elements of the society, the mill ieu, and the growing power of the newspapers in the manner of the best nonfiction, which this new title is not. Like many series books, sidebars and boxes break up the text and interrupt the flow of the narrative. No clear picture emerges, and readers may be a bit muddled by it all. The black-and-white photos and maps are helpful, and the index is quite good. Useful as a supplemental work or reference source, but Marrin's book is the title of choice. --Ann Welton, Thomas Academy, Kent, WA