Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge, from Callisto Publishing, for review on this blog. No compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about them. All opinions are my own.
Today I have not 1, but 2 new history books, that are part of a set of 3 American history books series: aimed at TEENS.
Taking on the traditional textbook, they strive to make history come more alive for teens. All the books in the series include:
- Closer looks—Teens will dive deep into major political and social conflicts, the considerations that went into history-changing decisions, and more.
- Critical thinking opportunities—Exciting storytelling makes this book fun to read while still providing teens with the info they need to draw their own conclusions about how the included time period shaped the modern day.
Explore the most important moments of the 19th century in this history book for teens
Help teens learn how the United States grew out of the seeds of rebellion. This 100-year journey into American history covers the period following the American Revolution all the way through the Civil War, the Gilded Age, and more. 19th Century American History for Teens offers a compelling look into the United States’ formative years and shows how they made the country what it is today.
Review:
This book begins with 1765, to quickly review the start of the independent country, and continues to 1800, setting the stage on how western expansion and trade had opened up the Eastern seaboard and Southern states. Then it moves onto enslavement, before discussing Andrew Jackson and the results of the Trail of Tears. As always, much more is given to slavery, and the treatment of the Cherokee, while given double the normal space, still is short shrifted, and much is left out in the rush to get to the Civil War. Living in the South, and being a History Major, I know JUST how much gets left OUT of textbooks, that cover this period. Most of the textbook companies are based up North, and there is NO way they want to acknowledge how the 13 colonies, are as responsible for slavery, as the Southern colonies. Nor do they want to admit that while they made laws to abolish slavery, they made no attempt to give freed men the same right they had. It is better to make everything slanted anti-South. o now real surprises here either, but at least there are some mentioned of the North involvement. And they do offer up that the soldiers were fighting for different things (though they fail to mention that most Confederate soldiers did not have slaves, nor were in any condition to afford them). The path thru the Civil War and afterwards is much the same. The book ends with the Women's suffrage movement. While I am glad for the effort made, texts still have a long ways to go for inclusive history and I'll give this one 3.5 stars for its attempts to get teens thinking.
Synopsis:
Explore the most important moments of the 20th century in this history book for teens
Help teens learn how the United States grew into one of the world’s most influential countries. This 100-year journey into American history covers the period from reconstruction and the Jim Crow era through the end of the Cold War. 20th Century American History for Teens offers a compelling look into the United States’ rise to power and shows how many of the events of the 20th century still affect our lives today.
Review:
This book starts off with Reconstruction, moves into the 1900s with the westward expansion, the labor movement and women suffrage, before turning toward the era kids tend to know best- WWI to WWII. From the beginning, there are issues. The author needs a serious look at Louisiana history during 'Reconstruction'- she might be very surprised at what she learns that is quite different from the anti-South biased expressed in the first chapter! Then there is the so so so little said about Hitler's Rise. I understand they have a whole book devoted to WWII in the series, but what if your child isn't reading that one? A huge chunk is just taken OUT of this very important time of history!
From their its off to the magic of the 50's and the rise of the Cold War and the Space race. From their all the 'movements' get covered- from Civil Rights to Women's Rights to Black Power and Gay Rights. History is clothed in movements, teens don't get into the dynamics of the a 'non war'(the Vietnam War) was a huge change for our country. There is exactly one sentence to explain it was a resolution not an act. Sigh... After reading these chapters, I was so so so glad I kept my High School Modern History textbook- at least my child learned UNBIASED Modern History!
From there, it's off to the end of the Cold War and rise of Middle East issues, ending in Gun Control.
Yes, Gun Control. I almost erased the book off my Kindle as soon as I saw THAT chapter heading. Our country was founded on the premise of a right to bear arms, but we're going to teach our kids taking those guns away is how we should have ENDED the 20th century? Overall I can tell you flat out that this series is beyond LIBERAL. There is inherent slant and purpose driven removal of key points, to make Republicans of the 80s look extremely bad, for example, and to drive EVERY movement that current Democrats are empowering to the forefront, when they may NOT have been during the time period cited. Even my kid who finished high school Modern History last semester was thunderstruck by HOW much was left OUT. This one gets a 1.5 star, only because it did have SOME history included with the agenda!
About the Authors:
Carrie Floyd Cagle is an author, Social Studies curriculum writer, and high school teacher who lives in a suburb of Dallas, Texas with her husband Bill, daughter Willa, and dachshunds Sasha and Toast. Over the course of her teaching career, Carrie has taught AP US History, AP Government, AP European History, AP Psychology, World History, Texas History, and English for Speakers of Other Languages. She has B.A.s in Psychology and History and an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction. Her interests include reading, sewing, and baking. Check out her Social Studies curriculum site at http://bit.ly/ihearthistory.
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