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A Child's First Book of American History
This is America! And this is its glowing, epic story, from the days of the Viking expeditions to the birth of the Atomic age. Here are the explorers, the Indians, the settlers and fur trappers, the soldiers, the statesmen, the men and women who have shaped our country and its destiny. It is a continuous take of adventure, of wars, of industry and invention, of hardship and growth; it is an unparalleled tale of courage, high ideals, hard work--and a precious thing called Freedom.
Perhaps more happened, faster, in the history of this country than in any other. Earl Schenck Miers tells its story as it should be told: in terms of the great moments and events, and through the lives and experiences of individuals.
Among the fifty chapters included are: the faith and longing for freedom of worship that brought the band of Pilgrims to Plymouth's shores; James Smith's own account of his capture by the Indians in 1755; excerpts from Davy Crockett's diary, telling of the last days of the Alamo massacre; a young Southern girl's description of the burning of Columbia, S.C., in the Civil War. Miers has recreated unforgettably, the hardships of a cattle drive, the inspiring story of how Booker T. Washington overcame great obstacles to build a school, the suspense that held America in a spell in 1927 when a young man named Lindbergh flew to Paris by himself.
This telling of the American story is dramatic, ever engrossing--and it is based on careful scholarship. The more than 200 illustrations by James Daugherty--most of them in color--are an integral part of the book. A great artist and a superb scholar-storyteller have joined forces to produce a memorable record--an instructive, immensely readable and heart-warming book about the country we love.
Perhaps more happened, faster, in the history of this country than in any other. Earl Schenck Miers tells its story as it should be told: in terms of the great moments and events, and through the lives and experiences of individuals.
Among the fifty chapters included are: the faith and longing for freedom of worship that brought the band of Pilgrims to Plymouth's shores; James Smith's own account of his capture by the Indians in 1755; excerpts from Davy Crockett's diary, telling of the last days of the Alamo massacre; a young Southern girl's description of the burning of Columbia, S.C., in the Civil War. Miers has recreated unforgettably, the hardships of a cattle drive, the inspiring story of how Booker T. Washington overcame great obstacles to build a school, the suspense that held America in a spell in 1927 when a young man named Lindbergh flew to Paris by himself.
This telling of the American story is dramatic, ever engrossing--and it is based on careful scholarship. The more than 200 illustrations by James Daugherty--most of them in color--are an integral part of the book. A great artist and a superb scholar-storyteller have joined forces to produce a memorable record--an instructive, immensely readable and heart-warming book about the country we love.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
19 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Earl Schenck Miers
167 books8 followersEarl Schenck Miers was an American historian. He wrote over 100 published books, mostly about the history of the American Civil War. Some of them were intended for children, including three historic novels in the We Were There series. Miers received honorary degrees from Lincoln College and Rutgers University.
On 17 November 1972, at the age of 62, Miers died at his home in Edison, New Jersey.
On 17 November 1972, at the age of 62, Miers died at his home in Edison, New Jersey.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 11, 2017
I had borrowed The Rainbow book of American History many times over the years from our library and went to check it out this year only to find out they no longer had it. Dismayed and quite upset to see an old friend discarded, I searched for a copy to buy. Way over priced books out there!! So I was extremely pleased to find that Beautiful Feet books had reprinted it as A Child's First Book of American History. I am buying my own copy to keep for many years to come.
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July 17, 2017Disappointed that Barefoot Books reprinted the first edition (from 1955), not the second (from 1968) which goes all the way up through the civil rights movement.
April 1, 2017
Originally published as The Rainbow Book of American History in 1955 by the World Publishing Company, this book begins about A. D. (NOT C. E.) 1000 with the Viking Leif “the Lucky” Ericson, who almost certainly touched the coast of modern Canada, calling it Vineland. It continues with the ages of exploration, conquest, and colonization, through our nation’s independence, early growth, westward expansion, and Civil War, down to the time of World Wars I and II. However, it is not merely a dry, dusty recitation of people’s names, places, dates, and other purely factual information. Rather, following the narrative fashion in which history has been transmitted from generation to generation for thousands of years, it consists of fifty fascinating stories that focus on influential figures during a specific time period, such as Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Davy Crockett, Thomas Edison, and even Mark Twain, all of which showcase America’s uniqueness and greatness.
Each chapter ranges from five to ten pages and is inundated with attractive, eye-catching illustrations by James Daugherty, some single color but most full color, over 200 in all. Beautiful Feet Books has republished the volume as part of their homeschool history curriculum for primary and intermediate grades. Obviously it would serve not as a complete historical resource but as a good skeleton around which a year-long study of American history can easily be made. The family could read one chapter a week on Mondays, with a one week break in both winter and summer, and then use the rest of each week to dig deeper into the events of that particular time period. There are even discussions about the development of the McGuffey Readers, the Underground Railroad, whaling, the Pony Express, intercollegiate football, the “golden spike,” the automobile, the World Series of baseball, radio, and the airplane—something for nearly every interest.
One editorial note says, “Please remember this book was written in 1955 and though the tone of the book is respectful, the terminology is dated.” I interpret this to mean that the author, Earl Schenck Miers (1910-1972), truthfully told how things actually happened rather than presenting a “politically correct” version to keep from offending modern snowflakes and butterflies. Miers did not gloss over the blemishes of our nation’s past, but neither did he overemphasize them to the point of making America seem inherently evil. He was genuinely “fair and balanced.” And there is something else I liked. Cathy Duffy of 102 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum noted, “While it is not an overtly Christian book, it discusses religious events positively.” In fact, I deeply appreciate Miers’s closing observation. “The modern Viking, soaring through the clouds above America, sees everywhere the signs of the greatness of God. It is indeed the one truth in which we all believe. It is indeed our richest heritage.” I wish this were as true of America in 2017 as it was in 1955. We can hope and pray that it soon will be again.
Each chapter ranges from five to ten pages and is inundated with attractive, eye-catching illustrations by James Daugherty, some single color but most full color, over 200 in all. Beautiful Feet Books has republished the volume as part of their homeschool history curriculum for primary and intermediate grades. Obviously it would serve not as a complete historical resource but as a good skeleton around which a year-long study of American history can easily be made. The family could read one chapter a week on Mondays, with a one week break in both winter and summer, and then use the rest of each week to dig deeper into the events of that particular time period. There are even discussions about the development of the McGuffey Readers, the Underground Railroad, whaling, the Pony Express, intercollegiate football, the “golden spike,” the automobile, the World Series of baseball, radio, and the airplane—something for nearly every interest.
One editorial note says, “Please remember this book was written in 1955 and though the tone of the book is respectful, the terminology is dated.” I interpret this to mean that the author, Earl Schenck Miers (1910-1972), truthfully told how things actually happened rather than presenting a “politically correct” version to keep from offending modern snowflakes and butterflies. Miers did not gloss over the blemishes of our nation’s past, but neither did he overemphasize them to the point of making America seem inherently evil. He was genuinely “fair and balanced.” And there is something else I liked. Cathy Duffy of 102 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum noted, “While it is not an overtly Christian book, it discusses religious events positively.” In fact, I deeply appreciate Miers’s closing observation. “The modern Viking, soaring through the clouds above America, sees everywhere the signs of the greatness of God. It is indeed the one truth in which we all believe. It is indeed our richest heritage.” I wish this were as true of America in 2017 as it was in 1955. We can hope and pray that it soon will be again.
July 3, 2018
I think this is a nicely illustrated resource for introducing American History to children.
August 30, 2025
I read this with my third grader, as an introduction to American history. I had to give some context or explain a few things, but overall it was quite enjoyable! the author's energetic style was fun to read, and I appreciated how he tried to include direct quotes from the historical figures.
The most famous parts of our history are in here, but there is also a good selection of chapters on cultural topics--Mark Twain, the origins of baseball and football, radios and movies, and a chapter on whaling and Moby Dick, to name a few.
The most famous parts of our history are in here, but there is also a good selection of chapters on cultural topics--Mark Twain, the origins of baseball and football, radios and movies, and a chapter on whaling and Moby Dick, to name a few.
March 9, 2021
Content level is for the younger crowd. But the writing level seems boring. Almost hard to read out loud. It couldn’t hold my attention (and I love history) so how is it going to hold an eight year olds attention? And I don’t understand all the raving about the drawings. I would not consider it a “beautiful” book. Utterly disappointed in this one.
November 10, 2025
This is a sweeping narrative history of the US of A. I read it aloud to five of my kids, 14yo and down. The author focuses on particular individuals to describe, showcase, and discuss broader happenings and events. He doesn’t refrain from passing moral judgment, and he is a patriot. In my opinion he began to get a little too partisan once he reached The Korean War.
February 7, 2022
An excellent spine for middle school history. We began in Chapter 29 as part of our Beautiful Feet Modern American and World History. James Daugherty’s illustrations add to the excellent, short chapters. It was written in 1955, so the common language of that time is used.
September 11, 2017
Definitely 'gentle' history but told well. Goes up through WWII.
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February 23, 2021Read aloud to kids. Some parts were better then others.
April 10, 2025
Overall, a very good overview of American history for children.
August 21, 2015
A Child's First Book of American History is a book that has long been out of print, under its old title "The Rainbow Book of American History." It is a little over 300 pages in length and spans from 1000 A.D. to 1945 A.D. Each chapter ranges from five to ten pages and is chock full of illustrations, both black and white and color. The illustrations have a charcoal look to them, and feel very Americana. Before the author (Earl Schenck Miers) dives into the history though, he tells us about his childhood and reading Mark Twain. One can see Twain's influence in this book, as the book is not dry history but fascinating tales. Mr. Miers tends approaches history by focusing on influential figures for a specific time period. Such figures included are Leif Ericson, Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Davy Crockett, Thomas Edison, and even Mark Twain.
The book reads like a storybook, because it engages the reader and draws them in, especially when read aloud. There were times I felt like I was transported back in history sailing with Vikings, fighting the British, and travelling with Lewis and Clark. What I liked best about this book was that there was no whitewashing of history. Europeans were portrayed warts and all in their greed to colonize the New World and exploit the Native Americans for their riches. What I wish was included was a chapter on the soon to be Saint Junipero Serra. He was a Catholic friar who founded a mission in California in 1769. Think about that for a second. While we were still under the rule of the British, this great man was doing God's work and so few people know about the impact he had in our country.
With fifty chapters, there is enough for you and your children to read one a week with a one week break in both the winter and the summer. This book is not perfect, but it is a strong introduction to American history. There were times I was reading through the book and I felt I had to re-read some paragraphs because it felt like some punctuation was missing or that they were run-on sentences, but perhaps that was just the way Miers wrote. I also found myself wishing that this book was hardcover. With a paperback version, even one as sturdy as this one, I know it is only a matter of time before I need a new one because this one has fallen apart from reading and re-reading it. Those quibbles aside, I highly recommend this book for the classroom, and that includes public, private, or homeschool. Children won't learn history from dry facts and dates. They need it to come alive, and this book does just that!
The book reads like a storybook, because it engages the reader and draws them in, especially when read aloud. There were times I felt like I was transported back in history sailing with Vikings, fighting the British, and travelling with Lewis and Clark. What I liked best about this book was that there was no whitewashing of history. Europeans were portrayed warts and all in their greed to colonize the New World and exploit the Native Americans for their riches. What I wish was included was a chapter on the soon to be Saint Junipero Serra. He was a Catholic friar who founded a mission in California in 1769. Think about that for a second. While we were still under the rule of the British, this great man was doing God's work and so few people know about the impact he had in our country.
With fifty chapters, there is enough for you and your children to read one a week with a one week break in both the winter and the summer. This book is not perfect, but it is a strong introduction to American history. There were times I was reading through the book and I felt I had to re-read some paragraphs because it felt like some punctuation was missing or that they were run-on sentences, but perhaps that was just the way Miers wrote. I also found myself wishing that this book was hardcover. With a paperback version, even one as sturdy as this one, I know it is only a matter of time before I need a new one because this one has fallen apart from reading and re-reading it. Those quibbles aside, I highly recommend this book for the classroom, and that includes public, private, or homeschool. Children won't learn history from dry facts and dates. They need it to come alive, and this book does just that!
February 23, 2015
A Child's First Book of American History is a beautifully illustrated, wonderfully written account of American history from the Vikings up through the Atomic Age. Each of the 50 chapters covers a different person or event, like the Winter at Valley Forge, the the battle of the Alamo, the Gold Rush, or the beginning of Baseball. Illustrations by the award-winning James Daugherty bring this book to life. Written like a parent or grandparent telling the story of America to their child, grandchild, this title is sure to capture students imaginations about the great men and women who forged the America we know and love today.
September 30, 2012
This book is not as comprehensive as This Country of Ours. It would not be my first choice for a children's American history text. However, if an older child, say 9 to 11 years old, needs to catch up on US history this is a good alternative. Every engaging.
June 15, 2015
This book has beautiful illustration throughout. However, I did not love the writing style nor did my kids. We did this for a history read aloud and it definitely was not our favorite. The illustrations are what get it the three stars, otherwise it would have been two.
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January 5, 2009JRef6
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews