Chronicle Of America: American Revolution, 1700-1800
Grade 4-7-In a conversational style, Masoff hits the highlights of the period, focusing on life in the Colonies, the factors that led up to the American Revolution, and the war itself. Much effort is made to include the points of view of African slaves, free blacks, and Native Americans, both men and women. Throughout the text, tidbits that young people will find interesting appear in boxes titled "Surprising History." A recipe for Apple Tansey and instructions for a game called Nine Man Morris are also included. Abundant color photographs and a lively format give the book an inviting look. However, the Marquis de Lafayette is not mentioned, and other European generals such as Rochambeau and von Steuben appear without explanation. As an introduction to the topic, this book is successful. Its kid-friendly approach makes it appropriate for casual readers or young report writers. However, older students working on homework assignments will need more in-depth resources such as Joy Hakim's A History of Us, Book 3: From Colonies to Country 1710-1791 (Oxford, 1999) or Russell Adams's The Revolutionaries (Time-Life, 1996).Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VACopyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.