Fifteen grade 8 and 16 grade 10 U.S. history textbooks, all published in 1986, are reviewed. Eight criteria were used in evaluating the texts: (1) authority; (2) interpretation; (3) significance; (4) context; (5) representativeness; (6) perspective; (7) engagement; and (8) appropriateness. The results of the review show that most of the texts are…

Focuses on the content and presentation of instructional sequences on the American Revolution in four commercial fifth-grade social studies textbook series. Discusses problems with content, learning objectives, background, and explanation. (FMW)

Describes how a 2-volume history textbook was translated into a 453 "page" CD-ROM product. Discusses how primary sources and graphics were combined with text to create an electronic textbook. Concludes that a major motivation for experimenting with this new technology was aimed at democratizing historical understanding. (CFR)