Reference Reviews

Doug’s Student Reference Room

Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History: Government and Politics. 2 vols. 696 p. Detroit: Gale, 2008. ISBN 13: 978-1-4144-3118-5; ISBN 10: 1-4144-3118-X. $220.

Gale Encyclopedia of U.S. History: Government and Politics This two-volume set provides overviews of major periods in American government and politics, from the pre-colonial to the Internet eras. Arranged chronologically into 11 chapters, each chapter provides a one-page introduction to the era, followed by sections on how people were governed; important figures of the day; political parties, platforms and key issues; current events and social movements; and legislation, court cases and trials. Each chapter also includes a one-page bibliography of recommended books, periodicals and web sites for further reading. Black and white illustrations and photos appear on nearly every page spread, and primary source sidebars provide additional perspectives throughout. A complete chronology and index are included in both volumes. The first volume covers pre-colonial America through the Gilded Age; the second volume spans the progressive era through 2006. This resource offers deeper content than a textbook but still would be considered introductory and attempts to remain balanced in its viewpoint. At schools following national or state standards for U.S. government classes, much of the subject matter included in such standards is explored here. The consistent structure of the chapters may make this a flexible and effective resource for classroom teachers, especially in the eBook version. Research projects could be organized so that students examine the interactions among governmental policies, social movements, historical leaders and legal developments within or across eras. Students might also work in groups to study one section of a chapter—important figures of the day, for example—and share their findings with the whole class. Recommended for public and high school libraries.
—Doug Achterman