Transcontinental Railroad

November 1, 2016

Gr 2-4-The American West has a history that has grown to mythic proportions. This series brings the time period into perspective without losing any of its vitality or wonder. The syntax is spot-on for the audience and the content is abundant in facts, figures, and compelling details. In Outlaws, for instance, the Manifest Destiny and its implantations are succinctly and accurately described this way: "Still the promise of a better life drew Americans westward. It did not matter to them that [Native Americans] already lived there. Americans believed it was their right to expand the nation...For native people, however, Manifest Destiny meant the loss of their traditional lands and their culture." Occasional sections "Straight to the Source," "Perspectives," and "Stop and Think" place primary source excerpts in context, describe an alternative viewpoint, and provide writing and critical thinking prompts. The inclusion of titles about the Trail of Tears and the Transcontinental Railroad widen the scope of what is typically considered to be Wild West fare, but effectively demonstrate that there was more to the Wild West than herding cattle and shoot-outs.

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