School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-Like Karen E. Lange's 1607: A New Look at Jamestown (2007) and Catherine O'Neill Grace's 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving (2001, both National Geographic), this book challenges traditional views of history, incorporating the latest archaeological findings to present updated theories about how people lived in the time period. In full-page color photographs, costumed actors depict enslaved African Virginians; Williamsburg gentry, merchants, craftspeople, and farmers; and patriot and British soldiers. White space, maps, and smaller photos combine with the dramatic larger images, resulting in a visually exciting and inviting format. Brief context is provided about earlier and later Williamsburg, but most of the book is focused tightly on the Revolutionary period. Causes of the war, effects on ordinary people, and how Williamsburg fit into the larger conflict are examined. The author explains how historians and archaeologists piece together information from period writings and artifacts found during excavation. The text is current, including a description of Colonial Williamsburg's latest project, rebuilding Charlton's Coffeehouse near the Capitol. More of a social history than a straightforward history text, this book will be valuable to teachers for demonstrating the human side of an often-studied period and to anyone visiting the restored area.-Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Renda's bright color photographs of a squeaky-clean Colonial Williamsburgthe living history museumbelie the serious intent of this fine volume, which portrays 18th-century Williamsburg as more of a multicultural and fluid society than previously thought. Though the popular image of the gentry with their powdered wigs and fancy houses is true, so is the fact that over half of the city's population was slaves, "with families, traditions, and dreams of their own." The photo-essay is a clearly written and concise portrait of revolutionary Williamsburg, determined not to leave African Virginians, Indians and women out of the picture. The straightforward presentation, brief chapters and vivid photographs, along with a look at recent archaeological discoveries, make this an important volume for libraries and classrooms. A more extensive bibliography, especially with materials for young readers, would be useful, but this is another fine work in the "A New Look at" series, which includes the excellent 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving, by Catherine O'Neill Grace and Margaret M. Bruchac, with photographs by Sisse Brimberg and Cotton Coulson (2001). (Nonfiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Clear, distinctive photos add visual appeal to this short history of the American Revolution, written from the point of view of those living in Williamsburg, Virginia's capital in 1776. Kostyal blends political and social history into a readable account of the period, bolstered by informative sidebars, a chronology, and a closing note about the restoration of colonial Williamsburg. The subtitle, foreword, and introduction all refer to the increasing awareness and ongoing historical research on African Virginians, who made up more than half the city's population at that time, as well as Indians in the region. One of the book's memorable moments comes in a sidebar, where a young African American interpreter says that he feels a little awkward playing a slave. Against the unique background of Williamsburg's re-created colonial setting, the many clear color photos are often beautiful, though some look a bit staged. Still, the increasing inclusion of nonwhite colonists in the illustrations as well as the text is a welcome trend.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2009 Booklist