World War II

February 15, 2004
Gr 9 Up-An accessible, well-organized volume that focuses on "what it felt like to be an American" during this period. Each chapter covers one aspect of the war from the isolationism/interventionism debate that began in the 1930s to victory and beyond. A chronology of events and pages of testimony from people involved follow. The coverage of the preparation for war, the government's involvement, and the role of the civilian are also considered. The numerous eyewitness accounts include the voices of well-known people, not all Americans: Neville Chamberlain, Charles Lindbergh, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, etc. Civilians and soldiers are also heard through quotes from medics, nurses, journalists, war brides, and others. Appendixes contain excerpts from documents paramount to the management of the war effort such as FDR's address to Congress in 1941 and the dissent in the case of Korematsu v. United States. Average-quality, black-and-white photos and reproductions are found throughout. Eighteen maps clearly outline the war in the Pacific, the division of Berlin, the location of Japanese-American concentration camps, and more. This useful volume offers a good blend of historical fact and primary-source material.-Julie Webb, Shelby County High School, Shelbyville, KY

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2004
This well-organized volume offers a good combination of text and primary-source materials and provides many points of view about various aspects of the war. Students can read excerpts and commentary by such well-known individuals as Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Charles Lindbergh and by leaders and civilians from other countries. Readers will appreciate the clarity provided by the chronology of events and the pages of testimony.

Copyright 2004 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2004
Background information, chronologies, and excerpts from a variety of accounts (letters, speeches, newspaper articles) make up the chapters in these entries in the Eyewitness History series, which is now up to 17 volumes. Value is added by appendixes containing documents, biographies, maps, and other reference material. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)