Historical background, descriptions of daily life, and culinary customs of the period alternate with eight or nine recipes featuring food mentioned in the texts. Although the recipes aren't kid-oriented and some contain minor errors, instructions for making hardtack, johnnycakes, and other old staples should delight history buffs. The books are illustrated with reproductions and archival and color photos. Bib., glos., ind.

Gr 6 Up-These books offer a unique and intriguing way to explore history. The authors look at the foods people ate during the Civil War and on pioneer farms and offer recipes for modern readers. Each title begins with rules for kitchen safety, a metric conversion table, and an illustrated list of cooking equipment. Color is a marvelous feature of the books: the covers, maps, and page borders. Full-color photos and reproductions appear on every page. The recipes, eight per book, are divided into double-page chapters such as "Rations for Johnny Reb," "The Union at Christmas," and "A Pioneer Home." Great supplemental fare.-Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.