We the People: A Brief American History, Comprehensive Volume (with American Journey Online and InfoTrac)
"I really like this text. It is readable and covers very interesting material. I would rate it superior to Tindall. I would also say that it is an important competitor to the better long editions like Norton and Henretta. ...The introduction of chapters that cover broad material with single stories (the creation story or Isabella's introduction to an 'instrument of empire') is interesting, and nicely tied to the more general introduction to the chapter. ... What continues to be positive in this chapter is the inclusion of individual voices. ... the first six chapters are well written, contain interesting and relevant information, and together present a coherent and cogent narrative. As someone who struggles every semester with how to present a 'survey' of American history, I appreciate the complexity and, at the same time, the simplicity of this narrative. Yes, I would consider adopting this text.""Peter Carroll's WE THE PEOPLE is a very good concise text judging from the initial six chapters. Carroll's format is consistent, his examples appropriate, and his ability as a writer excellent. ... Wadsworth's goal of a "lively brief narrative" by a single author has been met and perhaps exceeded. This will be a popular survey text. ... Carroll's text is a way to encourage more students to be successful. ... Students who read this text will be thoroughly entertained with the explicit descriptions and comparisons of cultures and genders. ... The chapter introductions are superior. That is one of the reasons why I believe the text can appeal to a broader audience. ... In the ... chapters read, I see no major weaknesses, only strengths. These strengths come from his treatment of the themes in a precise way. In quality the chapters are superior to those of 'usual' survey texts who try to please all and really please no one. The author has presented interesting material without sacrificing important themes. ... Few survey texts are as well written. Thank you for asking me to review this excellent addition to American survey textbooks.... I would love to adopt this text.""I find this text far superior to more traditional texts like Garraty or Bailey in its coverage of social issues. It has ... less detail than the Norton text I currently use, but that may be an asset as it seems to read better and not to overwhelm the reader with too much detail. ....""These chapters seems very well organized overall and are quite comprehensive. The writing is attractive and should hold the students' attention. ... I certainly enjoy and admire the social and cultural history contained here and praise the author for presenting it so well.""I was struck ... at the skillful way in which Professor Carroll was able to integrate social/cultural and political history and to reveal the dialectical relationship between them. Here he sustains my admiration for his work. ... Professor Carroll's prose style flows well. The vocabulary he employs does not intimidate the reader, nor does it condescend. Carroll tells good stories when there are stories to be told, and he develops his analytical points with admirable clarity."