New Releases by James Lincoln Collier

Building a New Nation chronicles the development of the new government following the signing of the Constitution. It explores the political views of the young nation''s leaders as they struggled to form a strong nation, despite the foreign and domestic dilemmas that they faced. The authors describe the beginnings of the two-party system, the administrations of the first three presidents, and key decisions by each branch of the government that shaped the future of the country.

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. In Pilgrims and Puritans, the authors begin in the year 1620 in England and end in New England in the year 1676. The book recounts the religious, political, and social history of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and its influence on our lives today. The narrative follows various groups of settlers from their departure from England through arrival in the New World and their often violent conflicts with the native peoples of the Americas. The authors examine a number of issues that arose in the new society that was founded and the rise and fall of the "city on a hill."

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. The American Revolution examines the people and events involved in the significant war by which the thirteen original colonies broke away from England. The authors explain the many sources of conflict between the Americans and the British government, how each side approached the problems, and the results of the escalating violence.

Using a narrative format, Creating the Constitution details the events leading up to the writing of the US Constitution and what American leaders went through to create it. The authors describe the conflicts between the new states and the delegates each sent to the Constitutional Convention, as well as the work that was done to resolve the many issues at hand.

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. The Paradox of Jamestown discusses the circumstances surrounding English colonization of Virginia and the evolution of slavery in that colony. Beginning with an examination of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century life in England, the authors explain many of the reasons—social, political, religious, and economic—people chose to leave the Old World for a new life in the Americas. They describe the early interactions between the settlers and the Indians, the difficulties those groups had in establishing cooperative relationships, and the many difficulties the settlers had in adjusting to life in the New World. Read about the effects of the growing market for tobacco back in England, the gradual changes in how the new colony was governed, and the growing dependence on the slave trade.

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation.

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. The French and Indian War: 1660-1763 covers much more than the few years during which the English and French fought over the division of the North American continent in one of the most neglected periods of American history. In this volume in The Drama of American History series, authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier trace how England''s other rivals for control of America were eliminated over this period until the only source of conflict left would be between the British and their own colonists. This series offers a fairly unique approach to American history by focusing on core content rather than a blizzard of names and dates, giving listeners a good sense of not only what happened, but why, as England eliminated its competition.

Fifty-five men met in Philadelphia in 1787 to write a document that would create a country and change a world: the Constitution. Here is a remarkable rendering of that fateful time, told with humanity and humor. Decision in Philadelphia is the best popular history of the Constitutional Convention; in it, the life and times of eighteenth century America not only come alive, but the very human qualities of the men who framed the document are brought provocatively into focus—casting many of the Founding Fathers in a new light. A celebration of how and why our Constitution came into being, Decision in Philadelphia is also a testament of the American spirit at its finest.

A vivid portrayal of the Civil War. Johnny, fourteen, convinces his mother to let him join a wagon train carrying food to Confederate soldiers. He has been brought up to believe that all blacks are stupid; thus, when captured by a black Union soldier who insists that Johnny teach him to read, he deliberately tricks him. The boy is surprised the soldier saves him from imprisonment and their relationship grows throughout the book.

Carrie has been a kitchen slave in Sam Fraunces'' tavern in New York City for as long as she can remember. But after she narrowly escapes a kidnapper, Carrie becomes more curious about her mysterious past. After all, she doesn''t even know her own last name. When her friend Dan Arabus comes to town, he talks about his dream of buying his mother''s freedom with the Continental notes his father left him. Deciding to help Dan discover how much the notes are worth, Carrie finds herself eavesdropping on Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and President Washington himself. What''s more, Carrie also stumbles upon the startling truth about her own family.

Willy Freeman''s life changes forever when she witnesses her father''s death at the hands of the Redcoats and returns home to find that the British have taken her mother as a prisoner to New York City. Willy, disguised as a boy, begins her long search for her mother and luckily finds a haven at the famous Fraunces Tavern. But even with the help of Sam Fraunces and her fellow worker, Horace, Willy knows that to be black, female, and free leaves her open to danger at every turn. What will tomorrow bring?

Recognition • A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Reviews "Collier''s challenging novel effectively combines historical fiction with a genuinely spooky supernatural tale." -The Horn Book Guide "Lessons on the importance of not forgetting the past are included in this fast-paced novel that will hook readers with a spooky ghost story while giving them interesting historical information." -School Library Journal Hardcover Edition available: The Empty Mirror 1-58234-949-5 - $16.95

When Eugene starts hearing a voice inside his head telling him to do awful things, it leads him to look into his small town''s past before the Depression, and to discover long-hidden secrets about his neighbors and his town.

"An exploration of the life and momentous voyages of the Italian-born explorer"--Provided by publisher.

Read about 12-year-old Petey Williamson and how he and his family cope when the Depression strikes America, throwing millions out of work. Includes an author profile.

Presents the history of the automobile, explains how an automobile works, and looks at the use of automobiles today.

Traces the development of electric lighting.

"Follows the development of the steam engine"--Provided by publisher.

Describes the history and development of the steam engine, and discusses early steam-driven machines, work by James Watt and other inventors, the first railway to use steam locomotives, and much more.

"A vibrant, sweeping analysis of the roots of American self-indulgence" --Kirkus Reviews "This ringing, provocative jeremiad cuts a path through a haze of self-indulgent thought and action in the "me first" society." --Publisher''s Weekly "Wonderful...a delight to read, even exciting...There are few books that inspire real enthusiasm. This is one of them." --The Philadelphia Enquirer

Newbery-finalist James Lincoln Collier creates insightful character studies of our most well-known American figures. By blasting through the myths surrounding our heroes, we see them as they really were, with their conflicts, their fears, their shortcomings, and their ambitions. We come to know them and so to admire their achievements all the more.

Newbery-finalist James Lincoln Collier creates insightful character studies of our most well-known American figures. By blasting through the myths surrounding our heroes, we see them as they really were, with their conflicts, their fears, their shortcomings, and their ambitions. We come to know them and so to admire their achievements all the more.

Looks at how early civilizations thought about and measured time, discusses attempts to make time visible, and examines the invention of the clock and its effects on the course of world history.

Looks at how warfare was conducted before the invention of gunpowder, and discusses the effects of gunpowder on weapons and the ways of war.

For novice explorers eager to know how people in other parts of the world live, Discovering Cultures is the perfect guide. Not just sightseers, readers of this delightful series will discover the important things about real life in the country they are visiting. They will learn about different foods, schools, sources of recreation, holidays and festivals, languages, and geography. In each book brief biographies will introduce them to three notable native inhabitants, both historical and contemporary. "Count in..." sections (together with a pronunciation guide) will have them counting to ten in a second language. Fun sidebars introduce them to new songs, games, authentic recipes, and crafts.

An introduction to the life of the native american indian chief Tucumseh.

Describes with historic pictures, the life and times of a feminist and freedom-loving woman, Susan B. Anthony.

An interesting and photographic exploration of the life of a famous American author.

Explores the childhood, character, and influential events that helped shape the life of the first president.