Scholastic encyclopedia of the Civil War

Gr. 4^-7. It's hard to say how this book could be considered an encyclopedia, since it is neither arranged alphabetically by subject nor comprehensive in its coverage. Once you get past the title, however, the large-format book provides a cogent introduction to the Civil War. Fully illustrated with black-and-white reproductions of period photos, paintings, drawings, and engravings, the story of the war and its aftermath unfold chronologically. Throughout the book, well-chosen features and sidebars offer interesting supplementary information, first-person accounts, and fast facts about the conflict. A good resource for school and public library collections. --Carolyn Phelan

Gr 5-8-Clinton approaches this complex period from many perspectives: the people (men, women, and children, African Americans, Native Americans); the politics; the battles; the lives of the soldiers and those left at home; the literature; and the propaganda. Her year-by-year description incorporates eyewitness accounts, diary entries, and clearly captioned full-color and black-and-white maps, photos, and reproductions that bring the people and events alive. Unfortunately, photo citations are not included in the otherwise comprehensive index. There are numerous fact boxes, definitions, "Did You Know?" entries, and sidebars. Other than identifying the speakers or writers of the primary documents used, no documentation is given. Joy Hakim's War, Terrible War (Oxford, 1999) is more detailed, but less likely to be picked up for casual reading or research. Clinton's successful overview is aimed at students with little or no knowledge of this period. A clear, accurate, and objective presentation.-Peg Glisson, Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Using eyewitness accounts, biographical sketches, other archival data, and battle chronologies, this accessible survey highlights the major battles and personalities of each year of the war. The first and last chapters focus on the historical background of the pre- and post-war years. Sidebars provide additional information, while maps, black-and-white photos, and period art illustrate the book. Ind. From HORN BOOK Spring 2000, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.