Ford, Carin. Overview of the American Civil War Through Primary Sources.

Ford, Carin.  Overview of the American Civil War Through Primary Sources.  Enslow 2013  48p   $18.00  ISBN 978-0-7660-4124-0 elm/ms  series: Civil War Through Primary Sources  VG

“Introduces the American Civil War, including the causes of the conflict, background on the Union and the Confederacy, the major battles and important historical figures, and how the Union won the war.”  Upper-elementary and middle-school students who enjoy reading about history will appreciate this new title on the American Civil War.  Students will gain a better understanding of this important war through the use of primary sources, including portrait photographs, artwork, maps, illustrations, and personal quotations.  The author provided a great number of details on the causes of the war, information on the Union and the Confederacy, the various battles, key historical figures, and how the war was won by the Union.  Written in a story-like manner, the book conveys knowledge while also presenting a great many primary sources to help students feel more connected to what really happened so long ago. 

The author includes colorful graphics, a timeline of events, maps, artwork, portrait reprints, personal quotations, chapter notes, a glossary of terms, a list of books and Internet addresses, and an index.   Through the use of primary sources, each title in this series of six (as of this review) helps students understand the story of the war that reunited the Union and ended slavery forever.   

Civil War-Primary Sources                             --Charleen Forba-Mayer