The Declaration of Independence (True Books: Government)

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing.
Review: I was looking for a concise, yet interesting, book about the Declaration of Independence. The book provides a simplified accounting of the times preceding the writing of the document. Though the vocabulary is age-appropriate and the information factual, the style is uninteresting, and the book gives none of the fascinating details that could bring the period and the event to life.

Rating:
Summary: An introductory story about the Declaration of Independence
Review: This book for younger readers is about more than "The Declaration of Independence." Patricia Ryon Quiri begins her story with English settlers coming to a new land and the colonies rebelling against being forced to pay taxes to the British government. The American Revolution is part of the background of the story, which focuses more on the political actions of the Continental Congress than on the battles; still, we are halfway through this book before we come to the actual writing of the Declaration. Quiri provides the basic information about the motion for independence, the drafting of the declaration, and the vote for approval. Understandably, she does not get into the debate over the idea of independency in general or the specific provisions of the Declaration, such as the one regarding slavery that was omitted. As she points out in her conclusion, she is dealing with this document as an eternal symbol of freedom for Americans rather than as a political and/or rhetorical treatise. There will be plenty of time for young readers to consider the Declaration of Independence as such, when they are capable and willing to read the entire document. This juvenile history provides the basic historical details.

This volume in the True Book series is illustrated with mostly historic paintings from the time period, including the famous ones of Jefferson showing Franklin and Adams the Declaration and the entire committee presenting the document to the Continental Congress. There are also some contemporary photographs of the Declaration and I appreciate the fact that Quiri tells her young readers that the copy on display at the National Archives building in Washington, D.C. "is cracked, and the writing has faded." I saw the Declaration the last time I was in Washington, and to see what direct sunlight and other destructive agents of time have done to the parchment was a great shock. Therefore, I think everyone should be aware that if they have the chance to see the Declaration of Independence they should be prepared for the reality of what is left (In comparison, Da Vinci's painting of "The Last Supper" is in a hundred times better shape).