Before the merging of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads, traveling West was a perilous, time-consuming endeavor. Native Americans hunted vast herds of buffalo across the plains and a few hardy pioneers lived in scattered, isolated settlements. The construction of the transcontinental railroad would change all that, opening up the means for coast-to-coast travel, boosting private enterprise, and nearly destroying Native Americans for good. A feat of engineering genius and human endeavor, this timely volume illuminates the hardships, accomplishments, greed, and racial conflicts of one of America's greatest achievements.

Before the merging of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads, traveling West was a perilous, time-consuming endeavor. Native Americans hunted vast herds of buffalo across the plains and a few hardy pioneers lived in scattered, isolated settlements. The construction of the transcontinental railroad would change all that, opening up the means for coast-to-coast travel, boosting private enterprise, and nearly destroying Native Americans for good. A feat of engineering genius and human endeavor, this timely volume illuminates the hardships, accomplishments, greed, and racial conflicts of one of America's greatest achievements.

Although America's original thirteen colonies lived in peace with England for many years after their founding at Jamestown, that changed in the late eighteenth century. When England began to pass taxes and restrictions without allowing Americans a say in the matter, a rallying cry for independence called colonial lawmakers such as John Adams and Thomas Jefferson to draft a more fair and free government. The challenges faced by the Founders of the United States to create a prosperous democracy the likes of which had never been attempted before are explained in this clear, comprehensive, and stimulating guide.

America's greatest shame has been its enslavement of millions of African Americans prior to their emancipation at the end of the Civil War in 1865. The experience of these individuals included backbreaking labor, cruel punishments, poverty, lack of education, and the separation of family members. From the beginning of their bondage in Africa, the lives of enslaved Africans is chronicled through books, drawings, advertisements, political cartoons, song lyrics, and more in this thought-provoking guide to a difficult time in the nation's past.

The era of Reconstruction followed the long, bloody Civil War, and became one of the most important in the nation's history. It set guidelines for race relations and the federal government's involvement in them. From black codes to voting rights for black men, Reconstruction was an active, but contentious period. Documents such as amendments to the Constitution and speeches from the nation's leaders are examined along with text that provides the necessary context to fully understand the volatile issues debated. This fully illustrated volume highlights the people and their works with a clear and authoritative voice.

The Pilgrims braved stormy seas on the Mayflower to make a life in a new land, America. Primary sources help teach the truth about the difficulties that drove them to a promised land to practice their religion freely. Though peril plagued the ship's voyage, the danger on land from disease and starvation was just as great. Without the assistance of American Indians, the colonists would have perished that first year. Instead they survived to leave behind the Thanksgiving tradition for future generations. Readers delve into the dramatic tale of a band of stalwart Pilgrims in this compelling, vividly illustrated narrative.

Westward Ho! was the call of many a pioneer heading into the western United States from the country's beginning. The insatiable desire for land that drove settlement westward is conveyed vividly by this collection of primary source documents. From the Monroe Doctrine to the end of the Spanish-American War with the Treaty of Paris, the documents and accompanying text provide rich context for a lively time in American history. Documents that detail the struggle of Native Americans provide a counterbalance to the ambitions of those who were convinced that the West was theirs by divine right.