Books with author J. T. Moriarty

Though Phillis Wheatley did not die a slave, she lived most of her life as a slave for one family. In certain ways, Phillis Wheatley was fortunate. Her owners treated her well, teaching her to read and write when she showed intellectual promise. Eventually, they released her from slavery to live the rest of her life in freedom. She became a celebrated poet and a major voice on the America literary scene. She was one of America's first female poets, and its first black woman poet. Primary source materials bring to life the life and works of this remarkable woman.

"Westward Ho!" was the call of many a pioneer heading into the western United States from the country's beginning. The insatiable desire for land that drove settlement westward is conveyed vividly by this collection of primary source documents. From the Monroe Doctrine to the end of the Spanish-American War with the Treaty of Paris, the documents and accompanying text provide rich context for a lively time in American history. Documents that detail the struggle of Native Americans provide a counterbalance to the ambitions of those who were convinced that the West was theirs by divine right.

"Westward Ho!" was the call of many a pioneer heading into the western United States from the country's beginning. The insatiable desire for land that drove settlement westward is conveyed vividly by this collection of primary source documents. From the Monroe Doctrine to the end of the Spanish-American War with the Treaty of Paris, the documents and accompanying text provide rich context for a lively time in American history. Documents that detail the struggle of Native Americans provide a counterbalance to the ambitions of those who were convinced that the West was theirs by divine right.

For many, Davy Crockett embodies the spirit of the American frontier. As a young man, he was famous for his fighting and hunting skills. Decades later, he died a hero at the Alamo, fighting for Texas's independence from Mexico. During the years in between, he was a nationally recognized political leader and representative of the frontier, and was known as a backwoods statesman who reveled in his own fame. The legend of Davy Crockett still lives on in songs, stories, and films. Primary source documents and images help define and explain this legendary hero and the time in which he lived.

As America changed from a farming economy to an industrialized economy in the 19th century, those involved in big business and speculation began to make huge sums of money. Since local banks could no longer meet their needs, the United States, in cooperation with state banks, was forced to create a safe system of currency that would allow the fledgling economy to develop and expand. A centralized banking system grew, answering the financial needs of business and creating a fertile environment for capitalism.