1775-1783

Presents a concise account of the life of Thomas Jefferson, discussing the private world and public career of the U.S. statesman.

As an English corset-maker's son, Thomas Paine was expected to spend his life sewing women's underwear. But as a teenager, Thomas dared to change his destiny, enduring years of struggle until a meeting with Benjamin Franklin brought Thomas to America in 1774 and into the American Revolution.

Traces the history of the Declaration of Independence, the statement by which the United States broke free from British rule, and discusses its significance to the people of the United States.

Uses primary sources to explain the meaning and significance of the Declaration of Independence to young readers.

"At the heart of Ben Franklin's life was his infamous relationship with his [illegitimate] son William. Born when Franklin was only 24, the boy was adopted by his father, raised and educated to be his aide. William rose to be the Royal Governor of New Jersey a decade before the Revolution. Politics then pulled them apart, the famous patriot and the loyal Tory governor, and what had been a loving bond was destroyed forever ... Epstein reconstructs the loving but complicated relationship between Ben and William, shedding light on a little-known side of Benjamin's life, as well as on the motives that caused William to become a leader of violent counter-revolutionary guerillas"--Provided by publisher.

Introduces readers to the powerful symbolic, historical, and practical meaning of the Declaration of Independence, whose signing on July 4, 1776, marked the birth of the United States.

Readers discover the story behind the Articles of Confederation, the precursor to the U.S. Constitution, including the factors that inspired its creation and the reasons it was replaced.

Examines events surrounding the creation of the Declaration of Independence in the late eighteenth century, discussing the reasons why colonists wanted freedom from British rule, why Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the document, and how Great Britain responded to the declaration.

The history of the feuds between the founding fathers during the course of the Revolution.

"Tells the story behind the "birth certificate" of the United States. Each spread provides information about the context, wording, and lasting effects of the document paired with interesting sidebars, questions to consider, and historical images"--Amazon.com.