Opinions Throughout History Series

This exciting new series offers a wide range of insights into long-standing issues that Americans are most concerned about, and those that have encouraged vigorous debate among politicians and citizens at large. Using carefully chosen original documents that cover a wide time span, Opinions Throughout History weaves a thoughtful and easy-to-understand analysis of how public opinion is formed and evolves, starting the discussion at an historical, seminal moment, and ending with where we stand today.

Each volume includes a wide variety – about 30 in all -- of primary and secondary sources, including opinion essays, editorials, speeches, journal articles, court cases and legislation. Documents are reprinted – entirely or excerpted – and supported by detailed narrative written by expert historian Micah Issitt. These important documents are the cornerstone of each chapter, which features:

• An informative Introduction that sets up the focus of the chapter, highlighting the primary source that is analyzed;
• A list of Topics Covered in the chapter;
• The Primary Source Document, clearly indicated and fully cited;
• Thoughtful Analysis, averaging 1,500 words – that digs into specific sections of the document;
• Sidebars that offer valuable background information;
• Photos, cartoons, posters to support the topic and provide fun and informative visuals;
• A Conclusion that summarizes the chapter and reiterates main points;
• Discussion Questions to help guide further conversation and debate about these current topics;
• Works Used to make additional research easy.

In addition, front matter of Opinions Throughout History includes a detailed Timeline of significant events that impacted policy and public opinion, and back matter includes an extensive Historical Snapshot that offers an interesting list of significant firsts -- events, books, movies, legislation, trends – offering a snapshot of what was happening in the U.S. while public opinion was evolving – a Glossary of terms related to national security, and a Bibliography. A detailed Index closes the volume.

• Opinions Throughout History: National Security vs. Civil & Privacy Rights
• Opinions Throughout History: Immigration
• Opinions Throughout History: Gender: Roles & Rights
• Opinions Throughout History: Environmentalism
• Opinions Throughout History: Drug Use & Abuse
• Opinions Throughout History: Social Media