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The Library of American Lives and Times™

Biographies For Grades 4-8 Correlated to the Curriculum

Extend the learning through this new biography series. The Library of American Lives and Times use extensive primary resources as it brings American history to life for your students.
Learn about some of the greatest players who helped in shaping America as it grew from a colony to a world super power.Through a chronological narrative, enriched with diary entries, letters, and other primary documents, students will learn about the various stages of our nation's development, as well as learning to think about history from the perspective of both individuals and society.
By learning about history from a particular and unique biographical perspective, each student will learn about the following themes that form the framework for the social studies standards:Culture; People, Places, and Environments; Individual Development and Identity; Individuals, Groups, and Institutions; Power, Authority, and Governance; Production, Distribution, and Consumption; Global Connections: Civic Ideals and Practices.
These books are comprehensive biographical treatments of important Americans, emphasizing not just their lives, but the times in which they lived.

Abigail Adams did not succumb to the limitations facing women in her day. She married John Adams in 1764 as an educated and influential woman. From the beginning of their relationship, John Adams took her counsel. Her vision of equality and justice informed and inspired the first rumblings of equal rights for women.

"Stunning reproduction and photos provide a clear sense of the times and settings. These attractive titles serve not only as quality report sources but also as a general interest titles." - School Library Journal ... Read more

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Comprehensive coverage of all the presidents' first ladies from Martha Washington to Laura Bush.The last chapter, Defining the Role, explores the possibilities and problems of what if our next president is a woman and how would that change the role of the 'first man'? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

the presidents' first ladies
this book is terrific, but even better is the author's update, AMERICA'S FIRST LADIES, which includes all the first ladies right up to michelle obama.the earlier book ends with laura bush.

The Presidents' First Ladies
This is an intriguing look at some of the most powerful figures in our history, women who have often been ignored or written off as mere "wives" of presidents.In fact, they were confidants, consultants, co-presidents, and in some cases, in complete de facto control of the ship of state.

Even the most obscure presidents often had potent partners, and the author's exhaustive research has brought them from the shadows of history into their rightful place of importance.They have been transformed from footnotes into living, breathing women who often had their own high ambitions.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone who has the slightest interest in American history.

Amazing look behind the scenes!
This is a really interesting book! I never thought much about the First Ladies before.The presidents usually get all of the attention but there is some really fascinating stuff in here.

Did you know that Grover Cleveland was the only president to get married in the White House?His wife, Frances, was also the youngest first lady.I especially liked the story about how she used to conjugate Greek verbs in her head when she was stuck in a boring reception.Funny!

Anyway, the book is great and it's up to date all the way through Laura Bush.I highly recommend it for any history buffs out there. ... Read more

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Abigail Adams, the second First Lady of the United States, was the equal of her husband, John Adams, in many ways. President Harry Truman said she would probably have made a better president than John. In an era when wives were expected to live in the shadow of their husbands, Abigail Adams was a bright light. She had little formal education, but she read widely. When her husband was away, Abigail ran the household. She had strong views: She wanted women to be treated fairly and she hated slavery. She let her husband, the president, know exactly how she felt. Although Abigail wouldn't live to see it, her son John Quincy also became president. For more than 175 years, she was the only woman in U.S. history to be both the wife and mother of a United States president. Her strength and wisdom left a lasting mark on the fledging United States of America. ... Read more

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American presidents and their families are some of the most-watched people in our culture today. And though their politics, personal interests, and leadership abilities have varied, most of the presidential families have at one time or another professed their faith in God. Still, many history books have ignored this unifying characteristic.Faith of the First Ladies will show readers what history books have not. This interesting and entertaining read offers more than thirty prayers, plus biographical materials, inspirational speeches, and spiritual reflections written by various wives of United States presidents. Candid and insightful, this book will give readers a glimpse of what it's like to be a part of the first family. Trivia and little-known facts about such women as Laura Bush and Lucy Hayes will captivate women readers as well as anyone interested in American history. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Should this perhaps be called "Faith of Only the Protestant First Ladies"?
This book, while well researched and interesting, has a most surprising and inexplicable omission - it goes from Mamie Eisenhower straight to Lady Bird Johnson, with no mention of Jacqueline Kennedy at all, making her the only First Lady of the 20th or 21st century to be omitted. The obvious question that arises is, was this because she was of the Catholic faith? Hard to think of any other reason.... ... Read more

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Their personalities often set the tone for Washington society, from Julia Tyler’s open hospitality to Sarah Polk’s somber religious devotion. Some, like Abigail Adams, had little formal schooling. Others, such as Pat Nixon and Hillary Clinton, earned college degrees. There were those who outlived their spouses as well as women who died before seeing their husbands realize their presidential dreams. In spite of differing circumstances, these presidential wives influenced—sometimes overtly and often inadvertently—everything from domestic political agendas to foreign policy through their relationships with their husbands.

From Martha Washington to Laura Bush, this book discusses the lives and circumstances of the 47 women who have been married to an American president. It emphasizes the relationship each wife had with her husband and the ways in which this contributed to the success or failure of his presidency. Details include birthplace, upbringing, political viewpoints and final resting place. Chapters are also included on women such as Hannah Van Buren and Jane Wyman, who although married to men who eventually became president, never became first lady. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Dictionary of American History, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 1470 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Focuses on cultures and countries around the world, specifically what is and is not shared culturally by the people who live in a particular country. Entries contain descriptive summaries of the country in question, including demographic, historical, cultural, economic, religious, and political information. ... Read more

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Employed as a house servant by President and Mrs. John Adams, 13-year-old Hannah accompanies the First Lady from Massachusetts to Philadelphia and then to the nation’s new capital. Vivid narrative, period illustrations, and Hannah’s correspondence with her brother, Daniel, a printer’s apprentice, give today’s kids an eyewitness look at the presidential household and the nation-shaping events that took place in 1800. Readers see the growing resistance to the Sedition Act, which curtailed free speech; the bitter party politics waged by both Federalists and Republicans in the presidential election; the ultimate triumph of Thomas Jefferson; and the bloodless transfer of power. In an engaging and highly visual presentation, this firsthand story will help kids understand the challenges our nation faced as it struggled to make democracy work. ... Read more

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A biography concentrating on the childhood of the Kentucky girl who grew up to marry Abraham Lincoln. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

First biography I ever read
I read this book at the age of 8 in 1963. It started me a life long love affair with history and with Mary Lincoln. I am so pleased to find these books still in print with the original illustrations. It is wonderful to see that they keep adding to the series.
It is a wonderful way to start a child reading biographies.

Women in History!!!
You can't go wrong with any of the books in this series! I loved that even my son was drawn to the Childhood books about women in our country's history. I highly recommend any of these books for eager learners! ... Read more

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A great read for anyone learning to embrace America's long and great history
Marriage is a partnership, and even at the most powerful position in the world wives hold some of the power. "The Timeline History of U.S. Presidents and First Ladies" is a collection detailing all of America's first couples throughout the history of the job's existence. Profiling both husband and wife, it speaks of the White House, presidential pets, children, life stories, even tales of assassination throughout the history of the United States. "The Timeline History of U.S. Presidents and First Ladies" is a great read for anyone learning to embrace America's long and great history.
... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Presidents: A Reference History, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 15823 words.The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.This classic reference work has been fully revised and updated to include recent presidents. Each president and administration is thoroughly profiled by a distinguished senior scholar. ... Read more

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Two long epic poems dominate this poetry collection: the title poem and one on Mrs. Abraham Lincoln.Other poems in free verse deal with impressions gained during travels.Erica Stux's love of nature is evident in her poems of observing wildlife and untouched panoramas. ... Read more

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Coretta Scott King is well known for being the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and for her own civil rights and world peace activism. She also received many awards and honorary degrees. But before she did all of those impressive things, Coretta was a strong little girl who could outclimb anyone in her neighborhood, was very close to her dad, and had a beautiful singing voice! Read all about how Coretta Scott King learned that if you work hard enough, your dreams can come true. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from American Decades: Primary Sources, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 572 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.American Decades Primary Sources provides fresh insight into the decade's most important events, people, and issues. Entries representing a diversity of views that provide insight into the seminal issues, themes, movements and events from the decade. Also included are concise contextual information, notes about the author and further resources. American Decades Primary Sources includes chapters on the arts, medicine and health, media, education, world events, religion, government and politics, lifestyles and social trends, law and justice, religion, business and the economy, and sports. Included to provide unique perspectives and a wealth of understanding are first hand accounts that include oral histories, songs, speeches, advertisements, TV, play and movie scripts, letters, laws, legal decisions, newspaper articles, cartoonsand recipes. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from American Decades: Primary Sources, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 1641 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.American Decades Primary Sources provides fresh insight into the decade's most important events, people, and issues. Entries representing a diversity of views that provide insight into the seminal issues, themes, movements and events from the decade. Also included are concise contextual information, notes about the author and further resources. American Decades Primary Sources includes chapters on the arts, medicine and health, media, education, world events, religion, government and politics, lifestyles and social trends, law and justice, religion, business and the economy, and sports. Included to provide unique perspectives and a wealth of understanding are first hand accounts that include oral histories, songs, speeches, advertisements, TV, play and movie scripts, letters, laws, legal decisions, newspaper articles, cartoonsand recipes. ... Read more

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Chronicles the life and achievements of the wife of the second president of the United States. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A compassionate picture of a misunderstood First Lady
David Collins has presented an enigmatic character in a compassionate and lively manner. Mrs. Lincoln's instability is legendary, but when examined in a modern context it becomes more understandable -- even bogus! Given allthe tragedies in her life, plus the possibility of medical problems (it isreported that both she and President Lincoln were plagued with migraines)it is amazing that she fared as well as she did. Collins starts with herinsanity trial then journeys back to lay the stage for her son's action.Even though some might question the loyalty of a son who was declaring hismother insane, Collins manages to present him also in a sympathetic manner.This is a very engaging book that both I and my nine-year-old son enjoyed.With its handy index, it would also be a good volume for students preparingresearch projects. ... Read more

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Chronicles the life and achievements of the nation's second First Lady and advocate for women's rights. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Thought-Provoking Biography About Abigail Adams
Abigail Adams was born in 1744, during an era - Colonial America - where women had no rights, and were unable to show men that they too had thoughts. However, Abigail was an unusual woman, and could care less who saw that she was a thinking person. Her Mother despised this quality about her, and tried to stop it, but it was this quality that led her to marry John Adams, the future President of the United States, and creator of the Declaration of Independence. Abigail was a great influence on John in his quest of creating the Declaration of Independence, and also during John's Presidency. And, as if that weren't enough, Abigail was also the Mother of one of the next President's, John Quincy Adams. This is her story.

When I read about Abigail Adams in History class a few years ago, I found her to be quite intriguing, yet there wasn't much to learn, so I was ecstatic to find this wonderful biography about her. Jeri Chase Ferris has done a fabulous job of creating an in-depth, thought-provoking biography that will teach all children, whether young or old, about what Abigail Adams did for the United States, and the women who live in it. A must-have biography.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper ... Read more