This latest entry in the Historical American Biographies series is a one-dimensional treatment of the wife of the fourth president of the United States. Pflueger (Stonewall Jackson, 1997) begins by describing how Dolley Madison courageously refused to leave Washington, D.C., in August 1814 when British troops were approaching, intent on saving her husband’s presidential papers and a valuable portrait of George Washington. That vignette is the last evidence—and discussion—of her courage. Dolley was raised as a Quaker and sent to a Quaker school, which was unusual for girls at that time. At her father’s bidding, she married a lawyer, John Todd, but Todd and one of two sons died during a yellow fever epidemic. She was 26 when she married James Madison (he was 43) and became “the sixth member of her family to be disowned by the Society of Friends” for marrying outside her faith. Dolley began wearing stylish clothes to please her husband and also entertained often; Pflueger sums up Dolley Madison’s importance as “our nation’s greatest hostess. She defined the role of First Lady for future presidents’ wives and inspired them with her gracious manners and patriotism.” But what about her father’s bankruptcy and outcast status, or that Dolley’s son was in debtor’s prison, an alcoholic who forged a will in an attempt to contest Dolley’s? These details are glossed over and will leave readers wondering about the superficial treatment of an obviously complex person. (b&w reproductions, maps, chronology, notes, glossary, further reading, index) (Biography. 11-13)
Pub Date: Jan. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7660-1092-9
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Enslow
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 1998
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Marguerite Henry died barely two years ago, after living the life of which most writers dream: She wrote from the time she was young, her parents encouraged her, she published early and often, and her books were honored and loved in her lifetime. Her hobby, she said, was words, but it was also her life and livelihood. Her research skills were honed by working in her local library, doing book repair. Her husband Sidney supported and encouraged her work, and they traveled widely as she carefully researched the horses on Chincoteague and the burros in the Grand Canyon. She worked in great harmony with her usual illustrator, Wesley Dennis, and was writing up until she died. Collins is a bit overwrought in his prose, but Henry comes across as strong and engaging as she must have been in person. Researchers will be delighted to find her Newbery acceptance speech included in its entirety. (b&w photos, bibliography, index) (Biography. 9-12)
Pub Date: March 10, 1999
ISBN: 1-883846-39-0
Page Count: 112
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
With an emphasis on Western “makers” of the millennium, and, perhaps inevitably, deep coverage of the last 200 years and fleeting coverage of the first few centuries, this volume offers brief biographical sketches of 1,000 people who had an impact on the last 1,000 years. Profusely illustrated and printed on heavy glossy stock, this is a coffee table book for children, meant to be dipped into rather than read from start to finish. Organized chronologically, with a chapter for each century, the parade of people is given context through a timeline of major events, with those of particular importance discussed in special boxes. As with any effort of this kind, there are surprising omissions (the publisher is creating a website for readers’ own suggestions) and inclusions, a Western predominance that grows more pronounced in the later centuries, and an emphasis on sports and celebrity that finishes off the last few decades. The selection can seem highly subjective and provocatively arbitrary, e.g., the US presidents from Nixon back to Teddy Roosevelt are all covered, but none after Nixon. Still, there is a clear effort to include a wide variety of countries and cultures, and this ambitious effort will be the starting point for many historical journeys. (chronology, index) (Nonfiction. 8-12)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-7894-4709-6
Page Count: 256
Publisher: DK Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 1999
BOOK REVIEW
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