SCHOOL HISTORIES
Not less than forty school histories of the United States have been put upon the market. Of these the older ones are now quite useless for proper study, because they were usually prepared by writers who knew little of American history ; because they are dull ; because they give too much space to obscure Indian wars ; and because they are not adapted to use in connection with other books. A new literature of text-books has sprung up, written by some of the foremost scholars in American history, interesting, beautifully illustrated, provided with maps, and aiming to lead those who use them to consult and read other books. Some of these useful text-books are the following : —
Mary Sheldon Barnes and Earl Barnes, Studies in American History. Boston, 1896 (pp. x, 433). — Made up in great part of extracts from sources.
Edward Channing, A Student's History of the United States. New York, (pp. xxxix, 603). — Especially arranged for work on secondary writers and in sources ; abounds in practical suggestions, lists of books, references to sources, etc. Excellent for the home reader.
Edward Eggleston, A History of the United States audits People for the Use of Schools. New York, 1888 (pp. x, 416). — Very strong on colonial life ; excellent pictures.
John Fiske, A History of the United States for Schools. Boston, 1894 (pp. xxi, 553). — Delightfully written, but brief; excellent questions, involving topical study.
Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Young Folks' History of the United States. New York, revised to 1886 (pp. vi, 460, 33). — A very popular and successful book ; of especial interest on the colonial period.
Alexander Johnston, A History of the United States for Schools. New York, revised, 1895 (pp. xx. 489) — Stronger on the period after 1787; many maps, and a list of secondary books.
Harry Pratt Judson, The Growth of the American Nation. (College edition.) Meadville, 1895 (pp. 359). — Continuous text ; convenient form.
John Bach McMaster, A School History of the United States. New York, (pp. 476, 31). — More relative space to the period after 1783; many references to secondary material.
D. H. Montgomery, The Student's American History. Boston, 1897 (pp. 523, lv) . — Many sketch maps ; lists of books, including sources.
William A. Mowry and Arthur May Mowry, A History of the United States for Schools. Boston, 1896 (pp. xii, 437). — Very attractive make-up; convenient for class use.
Allen C. Thomas, A History of the United States. Boston, 1894 (pp. xiii, 415, lxxiii). — A good, plain, sensible book, with abundant references for parallel reading.
