American Heritage New Illustrated History of the United States Series by Robert G. Athearn

American Heritage New Illustrated History of the United States Series Reviews

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  Theo Logos

  These books infuse my earliest memories. They were part of my childhood landscape, fascinating picture books on our living room bookshelf that I encountered as soon as I learned to walk and explore. I remember hours spent (during my pre-literate years) lying on the carpet in front of the bookshelf, immersed in the paintings, photographs, and political cartoons collected here to illustrate American history. Before I had learned to read, these books had already infected me with an incurable history bug .
  Of course, I did learn to read, and read each of these volumes cover to cover. I read them for pleasure. I referenced them for school papers. And I never lost my fascination with the illustrations that had first captured my imagination.
  When my father died, I recovered these books from his house, and added them to my library. Reading them again as an adult, they impressed me anew. The illustrations were expertly curated, drawn from iconic American paintings, vintage political cartoons, and photographs. The point of view was impressive, and ahead of its time. There was no jingoism here, but a clear, historical perspective of America that acknowledged blemishes as well as beauty. These books presented an overview of American history as balanced as it was intriguing.
  There are few enough bridges between a man and the child he once was that will carry any weight. These books provide me with such a bridge. It is little wonder that I love them.
• 
  Erik Graff

  Dad's mom, Lajla, had a profound influence on my development. Her libraries at her home in Illinois and cottage in Michigan provided me with some of my earliest reading material during the interminably hours when the adults were amusing themselves and I was the only kid. When she realized I'd become quite a reader, at about age ten, she started to intentionally encourage the practice by buying me books, mostly sets provided by Time/Life and the American Heritage Society, but notably including, when I had just turned eleven, The Encyclopaedia Britannica. With the exception of the latter reference series, I read them all as they came in, volume by volume, obtaining thereby a very general understanding of the world--albeit distorted by the prejudices of "the Editors of Time-Life".
  
  The American Heritage Illustrated History of the United States has gone through two editions, one of 1963, a second of 1988, but, with the exception of the final volume, remained basically the same. Like all the other series, except the Time-Life one called The Ages of Man, I've passed them on to younger generations.
  
  Although I much appreciated the books my Nanny gave me on our family's almost weekly visits to her home at the time, age has given me another dimension of appreciation for what she instilled in me. I wish she were still alive for me to have the opportunity to give her adequate thanks.