Part-opening “Points of View” sections group contrasting documents to expose students to different perspectives on a particular topic. Each chronological part begins with a “Points of View” document set, bringing together multiple — and sometimes conflicting — viewpoints on an event, a development, or a trend from the period. The offerings include colonial women’s varying perspectives on their capture by Native Americans, and lively opposing outlooks on the Prohibition movement.
“Visual Portfolio” sections and stand-alone images stimulate critical analysis of the visual record. Five “Visual Portfolio" illustrated essays per volume — both new and updated — encourage students to mine visual evidence for information and meaning just as they would a written document. Examples include vivid Revolutionary War cartoons, portraits and drawings of enslaved and free African Americans, and photographs of activists protesting during the ‘60s and ‘70s. In addition, a number of individual images are treated the same as the textual documents, with headnotes and questions to guide students’ analysis.
A comprehensive editorial apparatus supports student learning. Part introductions, documentary headnotes, questions to consider, critical thinking questions, and gloss notes provide context and support for students as they engage with the wealth of primary sources at hand.
With carefully researched sources and finely crafted pedagogy, this collection allows instructors to focus on teaching rather than course preparation. The authors have compiled a rich array of high-interest primary sources, from classic to rarely seen pieces, and crafted a tightly interlocking, ready-to-assign learning apparatus that ensures student understanding. America Firsthand saves instructors time and gives students a well-rounded, meaningful, and memorable view of peoples past and present, their times, and their contributions to America’s story.