The editors (one a professor of political science at St. John's U. and the other an independent researcher) pair 33 primary source documents with commentary that explains terms and concepts and historical background, including events, religious influences, environmental conditions, geographical factors, technological developments, important personages, and significant trends. The readings span chronologically from the 1620 Mayflower Compact to excerpts of Theodore Roosevelt's 1910 speech on "The New Nationalism." Other writings include Thomas Paine's Common Sense, some of the Federalist Papers, the Seneca Falls Declaration, Frederick Douglass' An Appeal to Congress for Impartial Suffrage, Henry George's Progress and Poverty, and Eugene Debs' Unionism and Socialism. Annotation 2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
