APUSH BOOK REVIEW ASSIGNMENT
Select a book dealing with some aspect of the history of the United States and write a scholarly review of that book. You may select from the accompanying list or you may select another book with approval from the instructor.
Format and Guidelines for the Review:
Format
typed
double-spaced
1-inch top, bottom, and side margins
font no larger than 12 (Times New Roman or Arial)
be sure to include your name
fancy report covers are not necessary—a simple staple works well
Part I: The Basics (1-2 paragraphs)
Identify the author, book title, publisher, and date of publication
Identify the author’s purpose in writing the book (often found in the preface or introduction)
Part II: Content Summary (1.5-2 pages)
Provide an overall synopsis of the book (not necessarily chapter by chapter, but provide enough information to show evidence of having read the entire book)
Point out any outstanding features or sections of the book and explain why they are outstanding
Identify the valuable material that is to be learned from reading this book
Part III: Cultural, Political, and Economic Analysis (2-4 pages)
Cultural: Analyze what this book teaches about the culture, religion, value systems, and lifestyles of Americans living in the period.
Political: Analyze what this book teaches about the important actions/role of the U.S.
government during the time period. Include any key changes or turning points in the history of
U.S. Government brought forth in this book.
Economic: Analyze what this book teaches about the U.S. economy and its role in shaping the
history of the period.
Part IV: Critical Evaluation (3-4 paragraphs)
Include relevant background information about the author
Identify discernible bias in the book
Critique the organization of the book
Provide an honest opinion of the book including strengths and weaknesses along with an overall recommendation (or non-recommendation) of the book
Due Date: Friday, December 4th – Paper and Presentations will happen the same day
Grade: Summative Assessment – Paper Counts for 90 points/ Oral Presentation Counts for 10 points
Book Presentations: Each student will give a book presentation to the class based on their reading. The “Oral Review” grading form is provided.
Name: _________________________
Book Report Oral Review
10 - Book presentation contains obvious evidence of thorough comprehension of book’s main ideas and subject matter; significant personal insights are provided by the presenter; the book is
accurately and expertly discussed in historical context; information about the author adds insight
into the book’s significance; presenter was clearly aiming for quality in his/her presentation
8-9 - Book presentation contains evidence of comprehension of book’s main ideas and subject matter; some important personal insights are provided by the presenter; the book is accurately discussed in historical context; information about the author adds insight into the book’s significance; there is evidence of a quality presentation
5-7 - Book presentation contains some evidence of comprehension of book’s main ideas and subject matter; the presenter is able to present some insight; the book is accurately discussed in historical context; some background information about the author is provided; there is some evidence of a quality presentation
4-6 - Book presentation lacks evidence of comprehension of book’s main ideas and subject matter; the presenter lacks the ability to provide important insight; the book is somewhat discussed in historical context; background information about the author is missing; there is little evidence of a quality presentation
1-3 - Book presentation lacks evidence of comprehension of book’s main ideas and subject matter; it is likely that the presenter skipped reading parts of the book; the presenter lacks the ability to provide insight; the presentation has little to do with historical context; no background information about the author; there is little or no evidence of a quality presentation
0 - No presentation was made
-1 - A presentation was attempted but was an utter waste of time
_____ Points awarded
Non Fiction
The American Revolution, Edward Countryman - A brief synthesis of recent scholarship on the origins and aftermath of the American Revolution. –
The Minutemen and Their World, Robert Gross - Social history of the Revolutionary period, this book is based on a reconstruction of life in 18th century Concord, Mass.
Liberty's Daughters, Mary Beth Norton - This book looks at the effect of the American Revolution on women. –
Miracle at Philadelphia: Story of the Constitutional Convention, Catherine Drinker Bowen - Readable history of the day-to-day events of the Summer of 1787 and the writing of the Constitution.
Fiction
The Cow Neck Rebels, James Forman - The story explores the loyalties of six members of the same family and how they were affect by the Revolutionary War. –
The Unvanquished, Howard Fast - The winter at Valley Forge as seen though the eyes of the common foot soldiers. Also Citizen Tom Paine –
Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757, James Fenimore Cooper - Story takes place during the French and Indian War and sheds light on the relationships between the French, Indians, British and American colonists. –
The Prospering, Elizabeth Speare - Settlement of Stockbridge, Mass. Looks at religious philosophies in the late colonial period (First Great Awakening).
Witnesses, Marcy Heidish - Anne Hutchinson's struggle for freedom in Puritan New England.
Oliver Wistwell, by Kenneth Roberts - An account based on the treatment of pro-British royalists during the American Revolution (Also, any other book by Roberts)
Building of a New Nation (1789-1850)
Non Fiction
A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard. Based on Her Diary 1785-1812, Laurel Thatcher - The author provides a fascinating window on women and early American society, especially work, courtship, marriage and family life.
The Age of Jackson, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. - Classic history of the Jacksonian era, defines the concept of liberal reform and sees Jacksonian Democracy as the first major liberal reform movement in U.S. history.
Fiction
Jonathan Dearborn, Esther Forbes - The story of an American privateer during the War of 1812, it reveals the lack of support for the war in the U.S.
The Confessions of Nat Turner, William Styron - This book recounts the 1831 slave rebellion led by Nat Turner. –
Orphan Train, James Magnuson & Dorothea Petrie - A group of orphans are shipped to the Midwest where it is hoped that new homes can be found for them. –
The President's Lady, Irving Stone - Andrew Jackson courts Rachel in the turmoil of the early 19th cent. – Kayla Dixon
Black Thunder, Arna Bontemps - Story of a major slave rebellion, Gabriel's Rebellion, and the political climate of the times. –
Sally Hemings, Barbara Chase-Riboud - The life and times of Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson's forbidden love who was also his slave. Looks a black-white relations from the American Revolution until the 1830s. –
Civil War and Reconstruction (1850-1877)
Non Fiction
Reconstruction, America's Unfinished Revolution, Eric Foner - This is the most comprehensive history of Reconstruction demonstrating "the centrality of the black experience." It's wonderful, it's difficult and it's long, but if you get through it you will know Reconstruction.
Celia: A Slave, Melton McCaurin - A compelling account of a slave woman's trial for murdering her white master after continued sexual abuse. –
Twelve Years a Slave, Solomon Northup - One of the few slave narratives which provides significant insight into plantation life in the Deep South. –
A Stillness at Appomattox, Glory Road, Mr. Lincoln's Army, Bruce Catton - Bruce Catton brings the people of the past to such vivid life that he. is the most widely read historian in the U.S. A Stillness at Appomattox won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. He is THE Civil War historian.
The Peculiar Institution, Kenneth Stamp - Stamp's book helped to redefine the history of slavery during the 1950s and 60s.
Autobiography: My Bondage and My Freedom, Frederick Douglas - Douglas describes his life as a slave, his escape and the prejudice he encountered in the North. –
Fiction
Jubilee, Margaret Walker - Through the experiences of a slave women, the lifestyle of slavery and the struggles of blacks during and after the Civil War are depicted -
Killer Angels, Michael Shaara - Fictional account of the Battle of Gettysburg from both sides. –
Andersonville, MacKinley Kantor - describes the living conditions and treatment of war prisoners in the Confederates' largest prison camp during the Civil War. – Samantha Mallard
The Friendly Persuasion, Jessarnyn West - Lifestyle of a family of Quakers living in Indiana and how their lives are affected by an incident during the Civil War.
Red Badge of Courage, Stephen Crane - Characterization of a Union soldier experiencing his first action at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863. –
Uncle Tom's Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe - Influential book written in the 1850s about the harsh life of blacks under slavery. –
Lincoln, Gore Vidal - Highly rated fictional account of the man who led the Union through one of the great crises of US history. –
Freedom Road, Howard Fast - Fictionalized account of Reconstruction –
The Gilded Age and Progressive Era (1870-1917)
Non-Fiction
The Tycoons: How Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Jay Gould, and J.P. Morgan Invented the American Super-economy, Charles R. Morris
Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield, Kenneth D. Ackerman
Empire Express: Building the First Transcontinental Railroad, David Haward Bain
The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914, David G. McCullough –
Edison and the Business of Innovation (Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology, Andre’ Millard
King of the Bowery: Big Tim Sullivan, Tammany Hall, and New York City, Richard F. Welch
The History of the Standard Oil Company, Ida Tarbell
Fiction
The Jungle, Upton Sinclair –
The Octopus, Frank Norris
Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain-
My Antonia, Willa Cather
Name: ______________________________
Book Title: ___________________________
Book’s Author: _______________________
Possible Points Your Points
Correct Format (10) Correct Format -
MLA Citation (10) MLA Citation -
Part I: The Basics (10) Part I: The Basics -
Part II: Content Summary (10) Part II: Content Summary -
Part III: Cultural, Political, and Economic Analysis (20) Part III: Cultural, Political, and Economic
Part IV: Critical Evaluation (20) Part IV: Critical Evaluation -
Grammar and Spelling (10) Grammar and Spelling -
Oral Presentation (10) Oral Presentation -
____________________ _____________________________
100/ A+