This was the american history textbook employed by mr ellenberger at maine township high school south in park ridge illinois for its junior year ap course on the subject a good choice a remarkable choice given the reactionary character of the department head the american pageant was readable entertaining and educational. We are often told that the pageant is the sole american history text that has a distinctive personality defined by clarity concreteness a consistent chronological narrative strong emphasis on major themes avoidance of clutter access to a variety of interpretive perspectives and a colorful writing style leavened as appropriate with wit. The brief american pageant presents a concise and vivid chronological narrative focusing on the central themes and great public debates that have dominated american history colorful anecdotes first person quotations and the text s trademark wit keep you engaged and make learning america s history an exciting and lively experience. The book is suitable for one semester courses in american history as well as for courses that rely on supplementary readings in secondary historical works or primary sources it maintains a commitment to telling the story of the american past including essays enriched discussion at many points of the contributions of women expanded treatment of working classlife extensive analysis of