Westward Expansion: Almanac

Summarizes for high school students the expansion by descendants of northern Europeans across the North American continent between 1763 and 1890. The Pendergasts, about whom no information is provided, try very hard to consider the perspective of native, Spanish, Mexican, and French people, but it does so get in the way of the story they want to tell. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

VOYA

This one-volume reference covers the beginning of U.S. territorial expansion in 1812 through the 1900s and considers what the westward movement left in its wake. The eleven chapters are organized thematically with an opening chronology, a concluding essay, and a thorough index. Along with the standard information on the Gold Rush, Pony Express, the Donner Party, and Sacajewea, there is cultural information that is often omitted from standard texts, such as the "Handcart Song" of the Mormon pioneers. The tale of the Native Americans is woven in throughout, including information about Tecumseh, Geronimo, Crazy Horse, and Red Cloud. Maps depicting the Cattle Kingdom, European colonization of North America, the westward trails, the Louisiana Purchase, and the journey of Lewis and Clark are included. There is a glossary in the front, and words new to a young reader are defined within the text. The book concludes with an essay on how the frontier movement shaped the American character and psyche. Each chapter end with a list of further reading, and a bibliography and Web site list appear in the back. Many sources quoted are secondary, and most photographs are uncredited as to time, place, or people depicted in them; however, this resource is appropriate for ready-reference questions and beginning research on the westward movement. Glossary. Index. Illus. Photos. Maps. Biblio. Further Reading. Chronology. 2000, Gale, 254p. PLB $42. Ages 12 to Adult. Reviewer: Hillary Theyer SOURCE: VOYA, August 2001 (Vol. 24, No. 3)