USED AMERICAN HISTORY BOOKS
For information on book condition and abbreviations, click here.
All books are paper unless otherwise stated.
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Textbooks and Books that Span More Than One Time Period
Colonial America, The Revolution, and Early America
Native American History / Slavery and the African American
Experience
The Pioneer Period, Mountain Men, and the Westward Movement
The Civil War / Twentieth
Century America
Try clicking on any image with a blue border to enlarge it.
SURVEYS, BOOKS THAT SPAN SEVERAL TIME PERIODS, OR TEXTS
America is My Country: The Heritage of a Free People, by
Brown and Guadagnolo, Houghton Mifflin, 1961. Discusses what it means to be an American,
American symbols and documents, government, patriotic landmarks and monuments, sketches of
famous Americans and their speeches, and patriotic poems, songs, and holidays. Library
discard that appears not to have been used. Very good condition. 16.50-U (B)
The American People, Volume One, to 1877: Creating a Nation
and a Society, Second Edition, by Nash, Jeffrey, and others. Harper and Row,
1990. Soft cover, pretty good condtion. 568 pages. Has timeline, maps, charts, documents,
etc. in large appendix. Illustrated wih maps, art reproduction, and photos. $10.00-U (C)
Getting to Know the U.S.A. by Charles Ferguson.
Illustrated by Leonard E. Fisher. Hardcover, large format, library discard. Part of the
Getting to Know Series, Coward-McCann, Inc., 1963. This is the story of how America,
portrayed as a giant, has shaped events, people, inventions, and spirit from the days of
the early explorers until modern times. it is not exactly a history book, but a story of
ordinary people who proved to be extraordinary as they dared to undertake tasks that the
size of the country demanded. Has usual library defects and bumped corners. Bottom of back
cover is sunned and covers show light soiling from use. Otherwise in good
condition. BT#1318. 12.00-U (B)
Heritage
Studies 1 for Christian Schools, Second Edition: The New World, At Home in Early
America, Bob Jones University Press, 1998. Soft cover student book and
spiral bound teacher's edition included. Student book is 187 pages. Teacher's
edition has 212 pages that include copies of student pages and lesson plans;
a 16-page section with maps and other aids; a 16-page supplement section with
more maps to reproduce, other visual aids and a materials list; and a
40-pages appendix with more reproducible materials and the index. Both books are
in very good condition. The student text cover has a bit of wear to the wraps,
especially at corners. The cover of the teacher's edition has a few specks of
discoloration on the back. Inside text of both is clean and free of writing. For
grade 1. BT-3099. $25.00-U for the set. Media mail shipping is 4.00 in the USA.
Historical Viewpoints: Notable Articles from American Heritage,Volume
One to 1877, edited by John Garraty, Sixth Edition. OP. Includes articles on
Native American policy, Colonial Life, The American Revolution,, The Federalist Era, The
Westward Movement, Religion on the Frontier, The Education of Women, The Civil War, and
Reconstruction. 376 pages. Very good condition. 12.00-U (C)
Hope of the Nation, by Nelson Keyes and Edward
Gallagher. Hardcover, edges and corners of cover somewhat worn, with some slight soiling.
The book is dedicated to the restoration and expansion of our American heritage. The
author's purpose is "to aid in discovering wherein our strengths as a nation were
born, so we may better know what direction and forms our actions should take. Authors have
a Christian view of American history. Contains text of the Constitution, Declaration of
Independence, and the Gettysburg Address. 401 pages of American history, illustrated with
photographs, a few color paintings, and black and white drawings. Could easily serve as a
high school text. BT#2003. 15.00-U (C)
Land of the Great Lakes, published by Harr
Wagneer Co. Hardcover. For grades 3 or 4, reading level is grade 2.9. Covers the history
and geography of the Great Lakes area. At the end of each chapter there are things to talk
about and do. Other than that, this seems more like a story book than a textbook. The
beautiful full-page color illustrations enhance the text, which is in story form. Pretty
good condition.$10.00 -U(C)
Living in the United States, part of the
Macmillan Social Studies Series. This was being used in our local SDA school, but still is
secular in its view of prehistoric times. 5th grade level. Covers the history and
geography of the United States. Library discard with all the trimmings, but other than
that it is in very good condition. 440 indexed pages. $8.00-U (C)
Makers of the Americas by Marion Lansing. D.C.
Heath, 1955. About fifth grade level. This is a history of the Americas and Canada. Though
the emphasis is on the United States, the goal of the author is that students should also
be culturally literate concerning the important events in other countries in North and
South America. 147 indexed pages. Illustrated with drawings. Regular size rather than
oversize hardcover. $10.00-U (C)
Our American Heritage (paper, a bit dog-eared)
with Teacher Edition (hardcover, excellent condition except for price sticker residue on
front cover. 1978 edition, third grade level. Some pencil underlining and whited-out
answers in student text. Teacher edition contains lesson plans, and answers written in
student part of book. Set is $24.00-U (C)
Our Country's Freedom by Frances Cavanah. Rand
McNally & Co., 1966, 1st printing. A history focusing on how different people groups
within the United States lost and gained liberty at various times through U.S. history.
From Native and African Americans to immigrants, workers, and women, the story of civil
rights is told. 96 indexed pages. Library discard with moderate wear, especially on
corners. No jacket. OOP. $5.00-U (B)
They Spoke for Democracy, edited by Frederick
Packard. This book contains some of the most eloquent statements by famous Americans that
embody principles of abiding importance in our national life. 158 pages. Good condition.
Contains Constitution and Declaration of Independence in addition to the other selections.$5.00-U (B)
EXPLORATION
The European Discovery of America: The Northern Voyages by Samuel
Eliot Morison. Oxford University Press, first edition, 1971. HC, ex-library.
This is a classic, readable, and comprehensive account of all known voyages to
the New World across the North Atlantic prior to 1600. It includes all the great
explorers. 712 pages. Good condition: Average used book. Previously part of a
public library but pockets and date slips have been removed with little damage.
Has usual library stamps and marks on pages and end papers. Price printed on
dust jacket has been crossed out and a new price written in. It appears this
dust jacket was once in Brodart that was taped to boards. The tape marks remain.
Dust jacket is worn with small tears and creases on edges and spine ends and
part of old library label on spine. Edges are marked lightly with library stamp.
It looks as though an address size label was removed from the front dust jacket
cover, stripping off some of the surface paper. Text pages are clean. BTH-4779.
$10.00-U
COLONIAL PERIOD, REVOLUTION, AND EARLY
AMERICA
Christmas in Colonial and Early America, published
by World Book Encyclopedia, 1975.Red pictorial hardcover, oversize,
with red end papers. Good, no jacket. Edges are moderately worn and cover is a little
faded near edges with some spots. Contents include the celebration of Christmas in the
colonies, Christmas toys, how explorers and travelers carried Christmas with them
and celebrated wherever they were, early American decorations, how Presidents celebrated
with their families, how Santa Claus evolved, Victorian Christmas, and some Christmas
crafts and carols. OOP. 79 pages including index. Lots of color illustrations. 8.50-U (B)
Colonial American Homemakers, written and
illustrated by Leonard E. Fisher. Hardcover with jacket, but mylar jacket protector is
coming loose and a bit rubbed. Inside pages are intact, but there is evidence of much use.
There is a bit of writing in the margin of one inside page. No tears, though. This book
explains and illustrates the daily life of average people doing their work and using the
tools they needed to make candles, soap, brooms, and cider. Illustrations are black and
white. . 48 pages. For middle grade students. $10.00-U (B)
Miracle at Philadelphia: The Story of the Constitutional
Convention May to September 1787, by Catherine Drinker Bowen. Hardcover, red
cloth, gilt lettering on spine and decoration on front. Top front corner and lower edge of
spine bumped. A little wear on corners and edges of spine. No jacket. Otherwise, very
good. The author's aim is to bring the Constitutional Convention and its delegates to
life. 346 indexed pages. BT-261, 12.00-U (C)
Potomac Landings, by Paul Wilstach. Hardcover,
good condition, no jacket. Corners bumped, edges have some stains and are darkened. Some
markings on illustrations contents page. Some front pages coming loose at hinge. Pages
beginning to darken at edges. A good history of the Potomac River region. Illustrated with
black and white photographs by Roger Whitman and others.378 pages with index and many
maps. BT-425, $15.00-U (C)
Rebels Under Sail: The American Navy During the Revolution
by William M. Fowler. Hardcover book club edition. Even before the Declaration of
Independence the Americans had been a sea-minded people. Their maritime skills had been an
important resource to the British. Fowler explains how a small group of delegates to
Congress, led by John Adams and supported by Washington, worked hard to build a powerful
fighting fleet. Though the new navy make some terrible mistakes, it also had its moments
of glory, especially under the leadership of John Paul Jones. The author reveals these and
also the stories of the privateers and merchant ships that fought alongside the navy.
Condition is VG/VG-. Light wear to cover edges. Jacket is chipped near edges and corners
and a bit rubbed. Contains extensive notes, bibliography, and index. BT# 2418. $15.00-U
(B)
Rebels vs. Royalists: What Was the American Cause? by
Roger Madgic. Part of the Scholastic Great Issues Series for junior high age students.
Paper, 96 pages. Contains primary and secondary source materials and a section of
political interpretation. There is a timeline, glossary, and bibliography at the end.
Two copies available, fair condition. Library discards. .BT#1460. $3.00-U each (A)
The Restoration of Colonial Williamsburg, a
reprint from the Dec. 1935 issue of the Architectural Digest. Hardcover, 1935. This book
has no jacket. It does have a little water damage near the spine and lots of age spots
(foxing to you pros). This is a photographic (black and white) history of Williamsburg's
restoration and includes all of Williamsburg's main attractions, both interiors and
exteriors. BT#1792. $7.50-U (B)
California
Indian Days by Helen Bauer, line drawings by Don Freeman. Doubleday and
Co., Inc., 1963. Hardcover, no dust jacket. Illustrated boards. Bauer has
written a lot of interesting books on California history for elementary
students. Some of her books were adopted as textbooks, but this a trade edition.
Children will learn in this book which tribes lived where and what kind of
houses they lived in. They will learn what the Indians ate, wore, and made. They
will learn how families lived and what the native Californians did for play.
They will also learn what was used as money, about chiefs and medicine men, and
about the old Indian beliefs and customs. There are several useful maps,
including a color frontispiece of the language groups of native California
peoples. There is a list of California place names left by Indians, an Indian
calendar, a pronunciation chart for Indian words, a chart of tribes, and more.
Illustrated with drawings and photos in black and white. Condition: Good reading
copy: Reading copy. A couple of pages have closed tears. Usual library markings
with pocket and spine label. Bumped corners and spine ends with board exposed.
Moderate wear to cover. Binding is firm, but there are a few spots on the cover.
There are also some marks on a few pages. This book has been read a lot and
shows it. Would you rather have a library book that was read and has some flaws
or one that is in practically new condition because no one wanted to read it?
160 pages. About grade 4 reading level. BTH-4387. $5.00-U
California
Indian Days by Helen Bauer, line drawings by Don Freeman. Doubleday and
Co., Inc., 1968, revised edition. Hardcover, no dust jacket. Illustrated
boards. Bauer has written a lot of interesting books on California history for
elementary students. Some of her books were adopted as textbooks, but this a
trade edition. Children will learn in this book which tribes lived where and
what kind of houses they lived in. They will learn what the Indians ate, wore,
and made. They will learn how families lived and what the native Californians
did for play. They will also learn what was used as money, about chiefs and
medicine men, and about the old Indian beliefs and customs. There are several
useful maps, including a color frontispiece of the language groups of native
California peoples. There is a list of California place names left by Indians,
an Indian calendar, a pronunciation chart for Indian words, a chart of tribes,
and more. Illustrated with drawings and photos in black and white. I have tried
to look for differences between this and the first edition, and the only one I
can see at a glance is that there are about 30 more pages in this edition. 192
pages. Reading copy. There is an occasional smear, mark, or smudge on the pages,
and some pages have had their corners folded down. Usual library markings with
pocket and spine label. Bumped corners with board exposed. Heavy wear to cover.
Board is exposed on parts of top and bottom edges. Spine covering on top is torn
and taped together. Hinges are cracked in front and back. There is a spot on the
top edge. This book has been read a lot and shows it. Would you rather have a
library book that was read and has some flaws or one that is in practically new
condition because no one wanted to read it? BTH-4388. $5.00-U
Indian
Chiefs by Russell Freedman. First Scholastic edition, 1991. Reading
level 5, ages 10-13. This book tells the story of the decline of the American
Indian as perceived by six of the greatest Indian leaders -- Sitting Bull, Chief
Joseph, Satanta, Quanah Parker, Washaskie, and Red Cloud -- the first and last
Indian leader to win a war with the U.S. Army. Besides getting to know these
Indian chiefs, you will see their photographs in black and white, along with
other historic photographs, and a map of the West in 1840 showing the major
tribal territories of the tribes mentioned in this book. At the end are a
bibliography, an index, and a list of photographic sources. 151 pages.
Condition: Very good. There is light wear to the edges and
corners and a previous owner name in marker on the first page (half title).
Otherwise pages are clean. BTH-2910. $7.50-U
Indians
and Intruders in Central California, 1769-1849 by George Harwood
Phillips. University of OK Press, 1993, first edition. Part of The Civilization
of the American Indian Series Hardcover with dust jacket, both almost like new.
Ethnohistorian Randall Dean says this book "presents a completely new
understanding of pre-Gold Rush California history and of the indians of the San
Joaquin Valley during this period. " The author's thesis is that the decline of
the rancheros began as early as 1830, when raids by Indians increased in numbers
and intensity. He explains why the Indians raided the coastal rancheros and
describes the damage they caused to the Mexican economy. He portrays these
Indians not as passive mission refugees, but as active members of independent,
evolving societies. 223 pages. BTH-3742. $24.99-U (B)
Southwestern Indian Tribes, a KC Publication by
Tom Bahti. A brief introduction to the SW Indian tribes. Includes a centerfold map of the
various reservations illustrated with dolls in native costume. There are lovely photos in
color and in B/W of Indian places, people, crafts, and artifacts. There are suggestions
for further reading on various tribes introduced. Sketches the history and briefly
explains the culture of each tribe. . 72 oversize pages. Dimensions are 9" x12"
Over-all good condition except for these defects: Light edgewear. Spine and its end are
chipped, especially at bottom. Corners are bent a bit. Dealer stamp on first page.
Dimensions are 9" x12" BT-2346. $3.50-U (B)
Vostaas:
White Buffalo's Story of Plains Indian Life
by William White
Buffalo.Council for Indian Education, 1995, paper, 69 pages. Recorded by Maxine
Ruppel. Illustrated by Students at Labre Indian School, Northern Cheyenne
Reservation. Although this is a book written for children in Indian schools,
anyone will learn much about native Americans in the Plains states from reading
it. It discusses the early history of the Plains Indians and the meaning of
their names, has a map of where native peoples live, and provides information on
housing, food, education, beliefs, work, dances, and ceremonies. Very good
condition with light wear to cover. BT-3361. $15.00-U (A)
First Book of the Oregon Trail,
by Walter Havingurst. Ex-library with library binding; book pocket at back.
Good condition. 60
indexed pages, middle elementary reading level. A history of the Oregon Trail. OP.
BT-1463.8.00-U
Pioneering on the Plains by Edith McCall. part
of the Frontiers of America series, Children's Press, 1962. OP. Middle grade reading
level. Stories focus on everyday life of the pioneers. 128 pages. Hardcover library
binding, library discard. Other than that in excellent condition. 10.00-U (B)
Pony Express, by Samuel Hopkins Adams, Landmark
Book # 7, 1950. Hardcover with protected jacket. Name written and crossed out opposite
title page, name stamp on title page. Notes written in pencil on back of rear loose end
paper. A couple of pages have bent-back corners or fingerprints or a smear in the margin.
Some wear on jacket around edges. Other than that in good condition. BT-93, 8.00-U (B)
Some Went West, by Dorothy Johnson. Hardcover,
library discard, VG/G. Jacket torn along edges. Front hinge exposed. The author tells the
stories of several women who went west -- some captured by Indians, some to preach and
teach, some to work or marry, some who married outlaws, some who were rebels or
adventurers. 180 indexed pages with bibliography. BT- 342, 15.00-U (B)
Sons of the Profits
or There's no Business Like Grow Business
The Seattle Story 1851-1901, by William Speidel. The next best thing to
taking the tour of Seattle's underground city. Hardcover, First Edition, 17th Printing.
VG/VG. Slight bit of color rubbed off black cloth cover near edges. Jacket has small
creases and tears and some chipping near top and bottom edges. Slight soiling on top edge.
A couple of pages near front have very slight creases in top corner. A marvelously light
look at the history of Seattle and the people who are responsible for its founding and
growth. Some stories may be a bit risqué for some, since parts of Seattle's history are
bawdy. BT-448, 10.00-U (B)
The Wilderness is a
Book: A Story of Young 49'ers on the Trail, by LaRee Caughey. Ward
Ritchie Press, 1966. Hardcover, library discard, no dust jacket. Good condition. 110
pages. In 1849, the Plumacre family caught Gold Fever and decided to brave the dangers of
the wilderness and seek their fortune in California. This light-hearted adventure story of
their months on the journey across the western United States portrays their hardships, and
near-tragedy authentically. Dewey Decimal number is 979, but I believe the characters are
fictional. Lightly bumped corners. Very small stains and discolored spots on front cover.
Spine and book edges show moderate wear and fading of cover. Usual library defects --
pockets, markings, stamped pages, etc. Small spot torn out of rear paste-down at very
bottom. Binding is reinforced. BT#2345. $9.00-U (B) Click here
for enlarged view of image.
This
Reckless Breed of Men: The Trappers and Fur Traders of the Southwest by
Robert Glass Cleland. Alfred A. Knopf, 1950, first edition, hardcover with
dustjacket. 359 pages + index. This is the story of the men who moved past
the frontiers where others were glad to stop. They preceded the missionaries,
gold seekers, and cattlemen in opening the West. It was these men who helped
establish United States sovereignty in the Southwest. Contains several
illustrations and maps. Frontispiece is 'Distant View of the Rocky Mountains' in
color. Condition is VG/G+: Light wear to edges and corners of boards. Bottom of
spine is sunned. Previous owner information on front paste-down. Small strip of
paper surface missing on rfep, as though something had stuck to it and been
removed. Deckle edges. Dustjacket, which is protected in Mylar, is worn and
chipped on edges and corners, with a bit of sunning on top edge. Clean, tight
copy. BT-3281. $39.95-U (B)
Women's Diaries of the Westward Journey by Lillian Schlissel. Expanded with a new introduction by the author. Trade paper, 1992.
Teen/adult level. Black and white illustrations, 277 indexed pages, excellent
bibliography. Very good condition. Includes diaries of Catherine Haun, Lydia Allen Rudd,
Amelia Stewart Knight, Jane Gould Tourtillott, Rebecca Hildreth Nutting Woodson, and
Barsina Rogers French. BT#2394. $8.50-U (B)
The
Year of Decision: 1846
by Bernard DeVoto. Little, Brown, 1943. Hardcover
with dust jacket. The author begins the book by describing it as the story of
some people who went west in 1846, a year that saw war break out with Mexico,
the Bear Flag Revolt in California, massive emigration to Oregon and California,
the conquest of New Mexico, the migration of the Mormons, the tragedy of the
Donner Party, and more. Each of these has it's own story which is related to the
whole westward expansion of America from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Behind
each story are the vibrant characters which make them happen -- the
personalities who greatly influenced America's growth. Overall very good
condition: Light blue cloth-covered boards have some rubbing off of color on
edges and corners, most notably near the top of the spine. Dust jacket, which is
protected by Mylar sleeve, shows some light wear at edges and has small tears at
very bottom edge of the back and spine bottom. Book Club Edition. 538 pages. End
papers are maps. BTH-3746. $10.00-U
To be a Slave, by Julius Lester. A book about
slavery told in the words of those who lived through slavery. Good condition. 2.25-U (A)
To be a Slave, by Julius Lester. A book about
slavery told in the words of those who lived through slavery. Very good condition. 2.75-U
(A)
The Fiery Trial, by Carl Sandburg. Book 3 of the
novel Remembrance Rock, a historical epic of the Civil War. Adult level. 479 pages, small
print. Pocket paper, pretty good condition. (Pages are yellowing) $5.00-U (B)
Heroes in Blue and Gray by Robert E. Alter. Whitman Real Life
Stories Series, 1965. This is a history of the Civil War written at about grade
3 reading level. Illustrations by Leonard Vosburgh are in shades of blue and
gray. Condition is good: Glossy illustrated boards with some laminate peeling
off near and on spine. Pages are browning, especially at edges. Previous owner
name in ink on front paste-down. Hinges barely starting to crack. End papers are
maps. 212 pages. BTH-4778. $5.00-U
Reconstruction:
America's Unfinished Revolution 1863-1877 by Eric Foner. HarperCollins,
1988, first edition. HC with DJ protected by Mylar sleeve. This is the first
comprehensive account of one of American history's most controversial eras. It
explains how both black and white Americans responded to the changes that took
place after the Civil War. 690 pages with index. Illustrated with black and
white photos. Near Fine condition. BTH-3745. $15.00-U (C)
Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment --
black free men who risked their lives for the Union cause. Scholastic, trade paper. Good
condition. Photo insert. $2.00-U (A)
STATE HISTORIES, EXCEPT CALIFORNIA
Promise of America: Sidewalks, Gunboats, and Ballyhoo,
Scott Foresman Spectra Program, Book 4, 1971. This book appears to be aimed at upper
elementary or Junior high age children and covers America's foreign affairs during the
first part of the 20th Century through the end of the 1920's. It summarizes foreign policy
before 1850, Manifest Destiny, acquiring the Philippines, World War I, and the 1920's,
including Prohibition. Maps and charts at back span a wider range of years. Lots of
illustrations, many in color. Good condition:Wear and creases to paper cover,
especially on corners and spine, but binding is intact. Although pages have
rubbing and light stains, there is no underlining in the text nor are there any
school or library markings.
BTH-3017. $5.00-U (B)
When Grandfather Was a Boy
by Robert Pease. McGraw Hill, 1973. First edition. Hard cover library discard in very good
condition. Dust jacket is almost very good, and is protected by Mylar. Has the usual
library defects -- pockets, markings, stamped pages, etc. Light wear to edges and corners
of boards. Corners lightly bumped.Jacket price-clipped. Top of spine bumped. Illustrated
boards and end papers. Clean, tight copy with an occasional small stain or mark on pages.
Grandfather was a boy in the early 1900's when there were no sound movies or TV, no
refrigerators, washing machines, or food processors. There were dirt roads, not freeways,
and only one in ten children attended school. In this lavishly illustrated panorama, which
moves from 1910 to 1940 to 1970 to predictions for the year 2000, children can follow
easily the changes in fashion, technology, transportation, and entertainment. Reading the
predictions for 2000 is fun, since they overshot the mark a bit. Reading level is about
third grade and up. Click here to see enlargement of
image. BT-2066. $15.00-U
If you didn't find what you need here,
try the following data bases of independent used books dealers:
Tomfolio: Has a secure server
at no extra charge for credit card transactions.
The only site where you can search by very specific categories as you would browse a
bookstore shelf. To see what I mean check out my home page there.
