Nonfiction Series on American History

"Books in the series are meticulously researched and very well organized, making them excellent sources for research." --VOYA: Voice of Youth Advocates

"The Defining Moments series will appeal to readers who are well beyond its storytelling style generally aimed at middle and high school students because of its selection of primary texts not often reproduced in other histories."--American Reference Books Annual, 2006

Defining Moments meets the demand from teachers, librarians, and students for quality information on formative events in U.S. history. Throughout the course of America’s existence, its people, culture, and institutions have been periodically challenged by--and in many cases transformed by--profound historical events.

Some of these momentous events invigorated the nation and strengthened American confidence and capabilities. Others have prompted troubled assessments and heated debates about the country’s core beliefs and character. But all share the same basic attribute: they transformed the United States’ political, cultural, and social landscape for future generations of Americans.

Individual volmes focus on specific events or eras

Each volume in the Defining Moments series provides a thorough and objective account of a pivotal event that shaped our nation’s history. The books are divided into three primary sections:

• Narrative Overview - provides a detailed, factual account of the event or era’s progression, including the background information that shaped the moment in U.S. history. The narrative also explores its lasting impact on America’s political and cultural landscape.
• Biographies - provides biographical background on the event or era’s leading figures, those that were in pivotal, decision-making roles. Each biography concludes with a list of sources for further information on the profiled individual.
• Primary Sources - collects the most crucial documents of the event and time, including excerpts from official documents, papers and resolutions, speeches, letters, memoirs, editorials, and other important works.

New Feature – Research Topics

Each book in the Defining Moments series now includes a list of research topics, detailing some of the important topics that recur throughout the volume and providing a valuable starting point for research. Students working on essays and reports will find this feature especially useful as they try to narrow down their research interests.

These research topics are covered throughout the different sections of the book: the narrative overview, the biographies, the primary sources, the chronology, and the important people, places, and terms section. This wide coverage allows readers to view the topic through a variety of different approaches.

Additional features include the following:

• Attribution and referencing of primary sources and other quoted material to help guide users to other historical research resources.
• Glossary of important people, places, and terms.
• Detailed Chronology with a see reference feature. Under this arrangement, events listed in the chronology include a reference to page numbers within the Narrative Overview wherein users can find additional information on the event in question.
• Photographs of the leading figures and major events, maps, and other visual information.
• Sources for Further Study, an annotated list of noteworthy works.
• Extensive Bibliography of works consulted in the creation of the book, including books, periodicals, Internet sites, and videotape materials.
• Subject Index.

List price per volume $55. School, library and web price per volume $49.