With the stroke of a pen, President Abraham Lincoln freed the South's enslaved people in the midst of the brutal U.S. Civil War. Or, did he? Who did the Emancipation Proclamation really free? What effect did it have on the course of the Civil War? And, what became of the inkstand on which he wrote the famous document? Readers will find the answers to these questions and discover more of what an artifact can tell us about history.
"This series offers a unique way to approach historical events that will appeal to history buffs. Things as different as a brass inkstand and a lowly stump serve as reminders of major events when their stories are told. Each title gives the background of the individuals involved and the events, as well as describing the part each object played. Sidebars address related topics such as the way female, Indigenous, and Black persons were affected by events. Text boxes provide additional facts, while archival photos, images, and maps show the key players and places. A section in the back matter offers a list of museums, parks, historical sites, and other sources for further exploration. There are also suggested books and internet sites. VERDICT This series will serve well for research projects and offers a unique way to introduce important events."
