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Voices of Revoluntionary America

Contemporary Accounts of Daily Life
by Carol Sue Humphrey
Voices of Revoluntionary America: Contemporary Accounts of Daily Life. Greenwood. 2011. (Voices of an Era). c.270p. ed. by Carol Sue Humphrey. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780313377327. $75. Online: ABC-CLIO eBook Collection REF
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In her introduction, Humphrey (history, Oklahoma Baptist Univ.; The Revolutionary Era) discusses the value of primary-source materials before presenting original documents of daily life (newspapers, diaries, letters) published in revolutionary America from 1760–83. The pieces are arranged by subject: disruption and continuation of daily life, economics and employment, religion, war and local conflict, for example. Each document is accompanied by brief but useful background information on the aspect of life being considered, such as the danger of fire in daily life or the impact of smallpox inoculations on a family. Then, daily events, laws, or expectations that would affect the situation are discussed. This preliminary information is followed by the document, an "Aftermath" section that describes the results, additional questions and problems, and "Topics and Activities To Consider." Humphrey's suggestions for additional resources include film and television programs and websites. Appendixes provide biographical data for individuals mentioned in the text, a glossary, a bibliography, a four-page chronology of events from 1760–83, and directions for evaluation of a primary document. This is a thorough, well-explained introduction to life in the revolutionary era using the primary documents of the period. BOTTOM LINE Ideal for beginning students with little background in historical research, and for teachers or instructors looking for research topics. —Marilyn Lary, San Bernardino, CA
Gr 8 Up—Humphrey uses 46 primary sources to illumine nuances of private and public everyday life in America from 1768 to 1783. These newspaper articles, ads, obituaries, and excerpts from diaries and letters are divided into chapters covering "Disruption and Continuation of Daily Life"; "Economics and Employment"; "Fun and Games"; "Health and Medicine"; "Love, Marriage, and Family"; "Religion"; "Slavery"; and "War and Local Conflict." Each chapter has an introduction and conclusion that provide contextual insight. For example, the editor explains that, "What is said in an obituary not only tells the reader something about the deceased, but also tells the reader much about the society…." Chapters also include questions and activities designed to promote critical thinking and inspire further research. To further their understanding of death customs, for example, readers are encouraged to "investigate how the recently deceased were remembered prior to the appearance of the printing press and newspaper obituaries." Design aspects facilitate use: large, bold fonts delineate sections within each chapter, and tangential information is presented in shaded boxes. Challenging words appear in bold within the primary sources and are defined in adjacent boxes. Though the book offers only three black-and-white document reproductions, that paucity does not diminish the overall high quality of its organization and content.—Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Library, NC
Reviewed by Jennifer Prince , Sep 15, 2011
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