AMERICAN HISTORY.

By Avery O.Craven and Walter Johnson '37. Boston:Ginn and Company, 1961. 745 pp. $5.68.

The authors of this high school text are well-known American historians; both are members of the history department of the University of Chicago. They have both publ ished extensively, including a joint college text.

Walter Johnson was a history major at Dartmouth, and until recently has been chairman of his department at Chicago. His successful career, both in history and in practical politics, has been noteworthy.

The reputation of the two authors guarantees the accuracy and clarity of the narrative, while their interests ensure the strong political emphasis of the book. Several collaborators, with greater experience in secondary education, have been responsible for the teaching aids, but the text is the work of Professors Craven and Johnson.

This book is characterized above all by its luxurious physical makeup. It is rich in illustrations, with many of them in color. The maps are numerous, and include a "transvision map" with acetate overlays in color; the result is spectacular.

The inclusion of short original accounts with many of the chapters is particularly commendable. In addition there are all sorts of learning and review aids, tables, and in fact all the tricks of the trade. We are informed that a workbook and a teachers' manual are available. Apparently Ginn and Company has included everything possessed by any competitive text, and then added gadgets of its own.

If one were very critical he might be saddened by a slight diminution of text, but the high school student may well conclude that the lushness of the production more than compensates for the physical weight of the product. Certainly the poorest student and the least-trained teacher should be able to find things of value.

The college teacher of history can only be pleased when competent scholars prepare a book to be used by people of whom some may soon be his students. If that teacher has also written a high school text of his own, he is particularly appreciative of the hard work necessary to produce a brief and wellbalanced book. Congratulations are therefore due to Professors Craven and Johnson, and best wishes for financial success.