These volumes supply short, concise overviews of the reality of life in colonial America. The na´vetÚ, lack of planning, and preparation for their new life by the colonists is demonstrated repeatedly in Life in Colonial America. Hardships were common among the colonists, and they ranged from indentured servitude and lack of necessities to starvation and constant philosophical differences with the Native Americans. Out West, the Texans defended their differences against Spain and Mexico in the Battles of San Jacinto and the Alamo in Texas Joins the United States. The short-lived independent Republic of Texas grew in leaps and bounds despite constant raids and battles with Native American tribes, such as the Commanche, but after less than ten years, the flag of the Republic of Texas was lowered for the last time as Texas joined the United States under annexation in a document signed by President John Tyler just days prior to leaving office. These series titles join others, including Colonial Virginia, Georgia: The Debtors Colony, Holidays and Celebrations in Colonial America, Jamestown: The First English Colony, and The Maryland Colony: Lord Baltimore. Each volume offers insight into the disparate early development of colonial settlements, with full-color illustrations, maps, fact boxes, and an FYI section. The series covers important events and people throughout early America without sugar coating them. Women, Native Americans, and minorities are also acknowledged in their short, information-packed chapters that depict the difficult lives and hard times of colonial American history. The manageable size will make them less daunting for those students intimidated by the average history tome, and the material provides a great source for reports.-Ava Ehde.