Henry David Thoreau: Writer of the Transcendentalist Movement

Gr 9 Up—In-depth historical context situates the subjects in broader trends, for example, setting Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin against the intricacies of the 19th-century slavery debate or Thurgood Marshall's early law career within the segregated Jim Crow environment of early 20th-century America. Appropriate illustrations are provided throughout, including period paintings, engravings, and, when possible, photographs. The artwork is integrated into the narrative with informative captions. Several useful photos feature a contemporary replica of Henry David Thoreau's cabin on Walden Pond. Materials for further research are abundant at the close of each volume, with source notes by page number, a detailed time line, and references to relevant museums. The level of the writing and complexity of the arguments place these titles soundly in the upper high school range.