Shaping North America: From Exploration to the American Revolution [3 volumes]

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This fascinating multivolume set provides a unique resource for learning about early American history, including thematic essays, topical entries, and an invaluable collection of primary source documents. In 1783, just months after the United States achieved independence from Great Britain, General George Washington was compelled to convince his officers not to undertake a military coup of the Congress of Confederation. Had the planned mutinous coup of the Newburgh Conspiracy gone forward, the American experiment may have ended before it even began. The pre-colonial and colonial periods of early American history are filled with accounts of key events that established the course of our nation's development. This expansive three-volume set provides entries on a wide variety of topics and themes in early American history to elucidate how the United States came to be. Written in straightforward language, the encyclopedic entries on social, political, cultural, and military subjects from the pre-Columbian period through the creation of the Constitution (roughly 14001790) will be useful for anyone wishing to deeply investigate the who, what, where, when, and why of early America. Additionally, the breadth of primary documentsincluding personal diaries, letters, poems, images, treaties, and other legal documentsprovides readers with firsthand sources written by the men and women who shaped American history, both the famous and the less well known. Each of the three volumes also presents thematic essays on highlighted topics to fully place the individual entries within their proper historical context and heighten readers' comprehension.

Reviews

The signed entries discuss events, people, social conditions, and institutions (slavery, the Sons of Liberty, the Declaration of Independence) in sufficient detail for undergraduate majors and nonmajors to begin research on a variety of topics. . . . Highly recommended for undergraduate and general adult audiences. * Library Journal *
The breadth of primary documents is truly amazing, including items such as personal diaries, letters, poems, images, treaties, and other legal documents. The importance of including documents written by some of the men and women who shaped American history can never be overstated as these documents allow the reader directly into the hearts and minds of the individuals who created them. Shaping North America is truly a resource that will bring value to any libraries' collection in this area of history. * ARBA *
The strongest essays take on topics that might not be reflected in a traditional historical encyclopedia, addressing culture, commodities, and lesser-known individuals. . . Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduates. * Choice *

Author Bio

James E. Seelye Jr., PhD, is assistant professor of history at Kent State University at Stark. Shawn Selby, PhD, is adjunct professor of history at Kent State University at Stark, where he has received the Teaching Award of Recognition. He has also published a number of articles on American history.