The Handy Civil War Answer Book

Crompton's (history, Holyoke Community Coll.; The Raid on Harpers Ferry; The Boston Tea Party; and numerous YA books on historical topics) series entry covers a narrower subject matter than many titles in the "Handy" series (other titles address subjects such as math, philosophy, chemistry, etc.), and this reviewer has reservations about the choice of this format for a book on the American Civil War. The questions in this Q&A style title seem more like a guide to study than the types of general questions a young adult reader is apt to ask (e.g., "Why did it take so long for Americans to get around to a full-scale debate on slavery?" or "What was the first Confederate inaugural like?"). The material in the appendixes, such as the texts of Jefferson Davis's first inaugural address, Lincoln's second inaugural address, and a list of "Union Regiments That Suffered the Highest Percentage of Total Casualties," is unimpressive. The chronology and "Cast of Characters" might be helpful to users, however.