Chronicle of America (Updated Edition) - Hardcover

Following closely on the heels of Chronicle of the World (LJ 1/97) and updating the 1995 edition (LJ 9/15/95), Chronicle of America (meaning the United States) continues the use of a journalistic reporting style to recount history. Sandwiched between the arrival of the Inuits (40,000 B.C.E.) and the class-action suit against tobacco companies of April 1997 are thousands of political, social, artistic/entertainment, and natural events presented in newspaper-column format. Some of the headlines are not without humor, e.g., "Low on beer, Mayflower lands in Massachusetts" is followed by a dateline of "New Plymouth, Dec. 1620." Livening up the text and encouraging browsing are thousands of color illustrations. Readers are alerted to subsequent developments about an event or person through references to a future date. The index is detailed and descriptive, and added features include brief sketches and portraits of the states and complete texts of important historical documents. There are some minor errors, and a few items unrelated to America? e.g., Gutenberg's invention and the death of Queen Mary?are inexplicably included. As with its world counterpart, this reference work will be popular for secondary school and academic collections.?Stanley P. Hodge, Ball State Univ. Lib., Muncie, Ind.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

YA?Short, newspaperlike articles discuss important political events, cultural milestones, and stories of human interest. The present tense involves readers immediately and heightens interest in the discussion. The original volume of the same name (Chronicle Publications, n.d.) covered from "Prehistory: Asians cross land bridge to new world" to "U.S.?Canada pact of 12/24/94." (sic, they use library capitalization rules). This new volume continues through "Terrorism hits Oklahoma" of spring 1995. Numerous adjacent colorful paintings or photographs are identified and draw readers to the articles. Annual timelines open each section and can be used in and of themselves. Appendixes provide brief information on each president and state. The index is comprehensive and detailed.?Claudia Moore, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax,
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.