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America First: Updated Edition
This edition of America First has been completely UPDATED AND REVISED for modern readers.
AMERICA FIRST by Lawton Evans has always been my favorite book for elementary American History. The author has such a wonderful narrative style that always keeps students engaged. Unfortunately, the book also contains language and attitudes that are racially insensitive, as it was first published in the early 1900s. I have tried to remedy this so that parents can enjoy reading this book to their children without having to edit as they read it aloud.
AMERICA FIRST: UPDATED EDITION includes the following changes:
Any language that described Native Americans as savages or blood-thirsty has been removed.
The term “Indian” has been replaced with “Native American” or simply, “natives” or "people" in most instances
The term “negro” has been replaced with “person” or “citizen,” or, when referring to enslaved peoples prior to or during the Civil War, the term “negro” has been replaced with “slave.”
All instances of the term “master” and “marse” have been removed.
The term “white men” has been changed to “explorers,” “English colonists,” “colonists,” or simply, “citizens” or “people,” depending on the context.
Other updates to the book include restoring dignity to the descriptions of enslaved peoples.
Dates have been updated.
New illustrations have been added to the original illustrations.
I hope you and your children enjoy the updated edition of AMERICA FIRST.
AMERICA FIRST by Lawton Evans has always been my favorite book for elementary American History. The author has such a wonderful narrative style that always keeps students engaged. Unfortunately, the book also contains language and attitudes that are racially insensitive, as it was first published in the early 1900s. I have tried to remedy this so that parents can enjoy reading this book to their children without having to edit as they read it aloud.
AMERICA FIRST: UPDATED EDITION includes the following changes:
Any language that described Native Americans as savages or blood-thirsty has been removed.
The term “Indian” has been replaced with “Native American” or simply, “natives” or "people" in most instances
The term “negro” has been replaced with “person” or “citizen,” or, when referring to enslaved peoples prior to or during the Civil War, the term “negro” has been replaced with “slave.”
All instances of the term “master” and “marse” have been removed.
The term “white men” has been changed to “explorers,” “English colonists,” “colonists,” or simply, “citizens” or “people,” depending on the context.
Other updates to the book include restoring dignity to the descriptions of enslaved peoples.
Dates have been updated.
New illustrations have been added to the original illustrations.
I hope you and your children enjoy the updated edition of AMERICA FIRST.
396 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 1920
29 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 9, 2023
Most recommend to pick and choose from these stories, which is not in my nature. If I start a book I want to read right through it even if it’s not pleasant. My children must endure with me in this antic of mine 😆
I should have made an exception. We enjoyed MUCH of this book but there were a few stories (maybe 20%?) that I wish I had skipped. Either it wasn’t written as well or was just not as interesting. But overall, these are LIVING stories of history and my children and I enjoyed learning of our country’s past.
I should also say, if you use this book, you need to have supplementary material. These stories don’t give much perspective of history from the point of view of Native Americans and African Americans. I used Beautiful Feet books and other materials from Heritage Mom to give my kids a more robust and fuller view of US History from many perspectives!
I should have made an exception. We enjoyed MUCH of this book but there were a few stories (maybe 20%?) that I wish I had skipped. Either it wasn’t written as well or was just not as interesting. But overall, these are LIVING stories of history and my children and I enjoyed learning of our country’s past.
I should also say, if you use this book, you need to have supplementary material. These stories don’t give much perspective of history from the point of view of Native Americans and African Americans. I used Beautiful Feet books and other materials from Heritage Mom to give my kids a more robust and fuller view of US History from many perspectives!
May 31, 2024
This book is full of stories that are easy to read aloud with your children. They teach about the great things that were done in the founding of our nation and following years but don’t sugar cost the hard things that happened either. My children were 3 and 5 years old when we read this, and they could understand most stories, with only a few that needed further explanation. I appreciate the stories of great men and women who inspire us to do great things as well when we read of their lives.
August 4, 2022
Garlinger Ambleside year 3
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews