The New York Public Library American History Desk Reference

by New York Public Library

With more than one million copies sold over several titles, The New York Public Library Desk Reference is simply one of the bestselling reference series available. Now, under the auspices of the world-famous New York Public Library, here is the comprehensive-yet-quick-answer guide to one of the most popular topics in family reference: American history. Short topical overviews, easy-reference timelines, and capsule biographies, as well as hundreds of sidebars, maps, and illustrations bring together all of the major events and themes from the early migrations of native peoples to the present age. Organized by social and cultural categories (exploration and colonization, immigration and minorities, military, business and commerce, etc.) and exhaustively cross-referenced and indexed, The New York Completely updated to incorporate the myriad changes that have recently occurred in the world, this user-friendly reference covers 26 categories of the most commonly asked-about subject areas everything from math and science to sports and games to religion and philosophy. It also features a brand-new atlas reflecting geographic changes.

Genres: Reference, History, Nonfiction, The United States Of America, American History

640 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 1997

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Self-billed as: “The one-volume source for the most frequently sought information about American history.” It contains about 500 pages of lists, charts and references.

If you need a date, this could be of great help. If you are searching for a name (such as a significant U.S. Navy admiral in WW II), this could help you on your way. If you want to know significant Congressional actions affecting education, this is a good place to start. It might even save you time over browsing the Internet.

It doesn’t work in many ways for what I hoped it would. It is very circumspect on labor unions. It has more on African-Americans and their religious affiliation than it does on civil rights. It hardly mentions how the Supreme Court undercut the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. It has a whole section on Nativism but nothing comparable on significant immigrations.

I will leave it off my handy shelf and rate it “meh.” 2.5*

[LA · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice general review of US history organized thematically.

[Howard 499 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The opening section on Native American history is worth the price alone as an excellent point of reference.

[Sheri Fresonke Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reference for the home. Historical entries are provided in terms of categories, wars, politics and presidents, growth of the nation in terms of population, immigration, economy, religion, culture and the arts. Key people, events, dates are provided. Good statistics data i.e. size of cities.

[Daniel]

Organized by cultural and social categories, a compendium of information about American history contains succinct overviews, detailed timelines, and capsule biographies that detail major events.

[Bmankiewicz]

From Suzanne, Stephen and Elizabeth. Paperback book In excellent shape. No markings. Cover smooth, binding intact. Index and 494 pages.