Adolf Hitler vs. Winston Churchill: Foes of World War II

Gr 6–8—Accessible writing and a beckoning page layout betoken this unique and riveting series. Over the course of each book, Roxburgh weaves in traits—social, ideological, and physical—of each figure, emphasizing the contrast between the rivals. For example, the privileged upbringing of Robert E. Lee stands in vivid contrast to the hardscrabble upbringing of Ulysses S. Grant. Readers will learn about the personalities and the specific conflicts between these individuals, as well as the social and political climate of an era. For example, Roxburgh illustrates how the rivalry between gangster Al Capone and lawman Eliot Ness was rooted in festering issues involving the increase of organized crime due in large part to Prohibition. Well-placed sidebars feature evocative, on-point quotes from key players. The emotional, sometimes eye-opening quotes animate these historical characters. Clear, complementary photos and drawings round out the collection.