The Reader's Companion to American History
Like an encyclopedia,The Reader's Companion to American  Historycontains alphabetical entries for almost every important  person, place, or event in America's past. Unlike an encyclopedia,  however, this lively interpretive volume is meant to be read and  enjoyed, not merely used as a reference. It contains three different  kinds of articles: short, unsigned listings similar to those found in  most encyclopedias; signed biographical pieces by historical  authorities; and longer essays on broad topics such as abolitionism or  20th-century art. Each article cross-references related topics, and an  extensive index opens up webs of interrelationships, making it possible  to delve deeply into areas of special interest. Accessible, comprehensive, and surprisingly affordable,The Reader's Companion to American Historymerits an important place in any home library.