American Vistas: Volume I: 1607-1877

by Leonard Dinnerstein (Editor), Kenneth T. Jackson (Editor)

This two-volume anthology of readings introduces students to the diversity and excitement of U.S. history. Featuring articles by nationally-renowned scholars and journalists, American Vistas offers balanced and up-to-date coverage of America's social, political, and diplomatic history. With
eight new selections per volume, the fifth edition has been substantially revised to include new discussions of the Great Convention, education in early America, Abraham Lincoln and equality, slavery and emancipation, Jesse James, Darwinism, and Soviet-U.S. relations.

*Written in a clear and lively style *Individual essays Written by eminent scholars in a variety of fields *Explanatory headnotes guide students through each essay *Interdisciplinary approach to American history and society *Eight new essays in each volume

Genres: History

330 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 1971

Reviews

[Lobstergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a small paperback college-level "textbook" with previously published essays (or book excerpts). In keeping with the times (1995), this edition added essays related to gender and sexuality. Topics include the Puritans and sex; Anne Hutchinson; the Indians vs. the colonists; witchcraft and sexuality; black women slaves and their gender and sexuality; adolescents in Vermont; republican ideals; American Catholics and the First Amendment; virtue and the republican wife; Indian policy in the Jackson era; women in the Lowell mills; how the Oregon Territory became American; Florida's slave codes; what took the Union so long to win the Civil War; and Eric Foner's abridged thoughts on reconstruction. Some of these were snoozefests, others mildly interesting.

The two essays I found most interesting were "Public vs. Private Education: The Neglected Meaning of the Dartmouth College Case" and one on slavery and freedmen in antebellum Illinois. The editors say that the Supreme Court's decision in the Dartmouth case in 1819 "is often regarded as the single most important judicial decision in all of American history." I had never heard of it. The state of New Hampshire had tried to turn private Dartmouth College into a state university, to be called Dartmouth University. "The state argued that Dartmouth was essentially a public corporation whose powers were exercised for public purposes and were subject to public control." Daniel Webster (class of 1801) argued on behalf of the College. Chief Justice John Marshall ruled in the College's favor "that Dartmouth's charter was a contract within the meaning of the ... Constitution and that as a contract it could not be repealed or altered by legislation." This court case explains why although Dartmouth has long been a de facto university, with professional and graduate schools, they hung onto the name "Dartmouth College" which they had fought so hard to preserve.

The book contains an absolutely risible number of typos. What's going on over there, Oxford University Press?

[Cade · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of various writtings from American history. A good primer in the founding of this country and our modern thoughts.