These books provide superficial overviews of six decades in U.S. history, looking briefly at fashion, culture, entertainment, politics, social issues, and scientific advances. The books lack depth but will give readers a general understanding of each period. These revised editions feature color photos, which are sometimes crowded onto the pages. Reading list, timeline, websites. Ind.

Gr 5-8 Overviews of U.S. history, broken down into "Lifestyles, Fashion, and Fads"; "The Arts and Entertainment"; "Sports"; "Politics at Home and Abroad"; and "Science, Technology, and Medicine." 1990s offers sufficient information about the Clinton scandal without becoming salacious. Other topics include terrorism, Desert Storm, and dot-coms. Highlights from 1910s include immigration, World War I, racial tensions, and the growth of labor unions. Feinstein deftly weaves details of popular culture into the larger picture of American culture and politics as well as the world stage. Black-and-white photographs lend immediacy to events now past and convey the energy of life in America. Extensive captions supplement the texts well. Similar treatments for younger readers include Michael V. Uschan's The 1910s (Lucent, 1998) and Judith Condon's The Nineties (RSVP, 2000). Joyce Adams Burner, Hillcrest Library, Prairie Village, KS