Year of the Horseless Carriage: 1801

by Genevieve Foster, Rea Berg (Editor)

In Genevieve Foster's inimitable style, she brings to life the dawn of the 19th century with all its wonderful advancements in transportation, communication, and technology! This is the age of Napoleon, Jefferson, Toussaint, Livingston, Robert Fulton, Richard Trevithick, Beethoven, Lewis and Clark, Sacajawea, Dolley Madison and many others.

While the world of technology is progressing rapidly, human rights and liberty are variously being trampled or rising. The megalomaniac Napoleon is proclaiming "liberty, equality, and fraternity" to a war-weary Europe, Jefferson is contemplating the largest land purchase in the history of the world, and Toussaint L'Ouverture is fighting for liberty in Haiti, while Robert Livingston, Robert Fulton, Richard Trevithick, Beethoven, Lewis and Clark, Sacajawea, and Dolley Madison are all playing their parts.

Foster's use of "horizontal history", weaves these stories together by delightful retellings and whimsical illustrations. In this memorable retelling, youthful readers will come to appreciate why Foster was convinced that "history is drama.

Genres: History, Historical, American History, Nonfiction, 2nd Grade, School

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Genevieve Stump Foster was an American children's author and illustrator best known for her innovative approach to writing history books for young readers. Born in Oswego, New York, she spent most of her childhood in Wisconsin after the death of her father. Foster studied at Rockford College, the University of Wisconsin, and the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. She began her career as a commercial artist before focusing on children’s literature. Inspired by her daughter, she developed a distinctive method of presenting history by integrating global events to show their connections. Her first major success, George Washington's World, highlighted how the American and French Revolutions and British imperialism affected Washington’s life. Foster's books, praised for bringing historical figures to life, were translated into numerous languages and distributed internationally. Over her career, she wrote 19 nonfiction books, several of which became Newbery Honor titles. Foster passed away in Westport, Connecticut, leaving a legacy that continues through her enduring works and influence on historical storytelling.

Reviews

[Heather Tully · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud during Gather as part of our 2022-2023 edu year. Our first read aloud of the year finished. Foster is a family favorite here!

[Ammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed this little snippet of history. Foster's books intimidate me and this was a perfect gateway into her other works which I am eager for.

[Elizabeth Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. I've loved Genevieve Foster books ever since I was young. The idea of learning about history via a horizontal method, as opposed to a vertical one, is so appealing to me. This book covers the years 1801-1821 and gives a fabulous overview of what was going on through the USA and Europe during that span. Jefferson, Madison, Sacajawea, Fulton, Napoleon, and several others are spotlighted throughout this volume. This book is short, less than 100 pages, and written for children. It's a fabulous one and I'm excited to see what my kids think of it!

[Rebecca The Files of Mrs. E, · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compared to the other Genevieve Foster books we've read, this one was MUCH shorter and written at an easier level. While we still read it together, this one could have easily been read by kids on their own in elementary school. It focuses on the first years of the 19th century as engines are first developed and the world begins to change. Like Foster's other books, it follows various historical figures showing how they connect and affect one another, including Jefferson, Napoleon, Fulton, Beethoven, Lewis & Clark, and more. But the stories and background is not as in depth and many only appear for one quick section. Overall I've preferred her other books but can appreciate this one for a younger audience reading on their own.

[Jamie Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book to cover the major historical events between 1801-1821 for homeschooling. It wasn’t dumbed down so even as an adult, I felt like it was a beneficial read. I always felt like my public school education was broken up into American and world history and this really helps put them together in the timeline, as it should be, as all the events are connected. The title is a little misleading. While it does talk about the locomotive it also talks about the Napoleonic wars, the Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark and the War of 1812. Very informative and just under 100 pages.

[Talea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great way to introduce kids to history. It allows for a flow of ideas and events that are going on at or around the same time and isn’t just a timeline of events. I really, really like this way of showing kids how different places had different things going at the same time, things that sometimes don’t seem to be from the same era.

[Hannah Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciate the way this was written! It is a short history spine that covers the highlights of US and Europe's events between the years 1801-1814. Foster does a great job at relating events and influences together with people and countries. I got a better understanding of how new inventions affected and influenced both US and Europe.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was a little dry. Kids said they enjoyed it though. Was nice to hear history from that time period from a different perspective.

[Kimbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting history. I like how the author shows how something going on in one part of the world can so greatly influence another part.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent survey of the time period across Europe and the US. Starting with the first brainstorm for a "horseless carriage" and ending with the adoption of the steam engine for industry, the book tells this industrial drama alongside the political drama unfolding in Europe and the exploration drama unfolding in the United States. Detailed enough to be informational, but not too deep for a second-grader. We enjoyed this greatly!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my fourth grader in her homeschool and we both found it a lovely supplement to her other American history readings.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating look into the history of the early 1800s and how one of the greatest inventions of the Industrial Age almost went unnoticed because of all the other turmoil and conflict that was simultaneously occurring across Europe and the world.

Some of the chapters were great. Others were a little on the long side for kids. But, the entire book was a truly wonderful look at this important time in history and connected many dots between historical figures and events of the early Victorian period.

[AlegnaB † · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I like the way the author wove together history that related to the steam engine and its use in various inventions.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this with my boys for homeschool. It was a great resource and we learned a lot.