Product Description

From the American Revolution to the Gulf War, this encyclopedia provides a broad picture of the United States' role, including biographies of the notable figures and quiet heroes, discussions of the mood of the country, timelines, maps, descriptions of weapons, eyewitness accounts, and more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1085301 in Books
• Published on: 1998-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8?A lot of information is packed into this volume. The authors begin with the American Revolution and end with the Gulf War. Coverage is fairly extensive, with the chapters on World War II and the Civil War being the longest, and the one on the Spanish-American War the shortest. Each chapter opens with a helpful time line, a map, and an overview; discusses causes, individual battles, new technologies, and the aftermath; and includes maps of battle sites, mostly black-and-white photographs and reproductions, and sidebars that include interesting tidbits and primary accounts. Unfortunately, some of this information is not indexed (e.g., helicopters, airplanes, reporting the war). Documentation or sources are given only for previously published writings. Pages are well laid out, but the colors used for maps, time lines, and headings are generally pale, causing the whole page to blend together. Occasionally, the typeface is very light and some of the subheadings are blurred. Still, this will be helpful to students seeking information and insights on war in a single source.?Peg Glisson, Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
This newest offering from Scholastic joins their other one-volume encyclopedias aimed at students in the upper-elementary and middle-school grades, including Scholastic Encyclopedia of Sports in the United States [RBB N 15 97] and Scholastic Encyclopedia of Women in the United States [RBB N 15 96]. Like others in the series, it features an attractive oversize format, and includes numerous illustrations, boxed inserts, maps, time lines, and judicious use of color highlighting and bold print. A two-page introduction briefly summarizes the major conflicts that have affected the U.S., and ends with a statement regarding the costs of war and a chart of casualty figures. This is followed by 11 independent chapters, each devoted to a specific conflict, ranging from the American Revolution to the Gulf War. The longest chapters deal with the Civil War and World War II, the shortest with the Spanish-American War. Each chapter is color-coded, making access easier. A detailed index completes the volume.

Chapters follow a basic format. "Prelude to War," which creates the historical setting and defines major issues, is followed by subsections presenting major developments, including first and last confrontations, pivotal incidents, campaigns, personalities, the home front, public reaction, and so on. Each chapter ends with a description of the aftermath, which details consequences and lasting impacts of the conflict. Scattered throughout the basic narratives are all sorts of additional information: excerpts of letters from soldiers at the front, eyewitness civilian accounts, song lyrics, quotations, descriptions of uniforms, analyses of the impact of developing technologies and their affect on both weaponry and medical care, and more than 180 illustrations, including maps, photographs, reproductions of propaganda posters, and political cartoons. There is some coverage of the contributions made by women, whether as nurses, spies, factory workers, or resistance fighters. Segregated units and racial discrimination are discussed, as is the treatment afforded Native Americans, and Japanese American internment in World War II.

Authors English (who has written a number of nonfiction titles for children) and Jones have produced a worthy addition to the series. Recommended as both a curriculum supplement and a browsing selection not only for the intended audience but also for public and secondary collections serving challenged readers and students with limited English proficiency.

Customer Reviews

A valuable history reference for schools and homes.
This encyclopedia fills an important gap in the libraries of many schools- it chronicles the participation of the US in all the major wars, from the American Revolution to the Gulf War. Very different from the overly gung-ho, dusty tomes which turn many students off history altogether, this book uses photographs and contemporary illustrations to great effect, and provides a very balanced view of the role of the US- this book is not afraid to discuss how the Native Americans were cheated out of their lands, media censorship in wartime, anti-Vietnam protests, and other issues that show the other side of wartime. While doing that, it also provides an account of the military strategies and campaigns, using maps to great effect. The book also provides short looks at important military figures, and ordinary soldiers, and explains each campaign in a fresh way that is guaranteed to hook student readers. I believe this book would also be ideal for any adult interested in the history of the US. Authors Tom Jones and June English have previously written a book together, 'Mission: Earth', about Tom Jones's experiences as a US astronaut- also highly recommended. I hope that this duo will continue to write books so useful for modern schools.

Scholastic Encylopedia of the United States at War
My son enjoys history and this book is one of his favorites.

Essential Military Reading
This book provides a comprehensive account of the United States Military from the birth of the country up to the present time.The text is easy to read, not like a 'stuffy' textbook, and it is well illustrated with photographs, maps and diagrams.
Although intended as a school study book it provides a useful and informative reference book for anyone interested in the United States, and in particular their armed forces.