Books in Sidelights on American History series

Manifest Destiny is the idea that the United States was destined to stretch "from sea to shining sea." To fulfill that destiny, the United States embarked on a period of rapid expansion in the 19th century. Readers discover the ways the dream of Manifest Destiny was achieved through informative text that supports common social studies curriculum topics. Historical images and primary sources help readers visualize how much the nation changed in such a short period time. Readers also discover how the idea of Manifest Destiny influenced U.S. foreign policy long after Americans reached the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

As an inventor, statesman, philosopher, and writer, Benjamin Franklin left his mark on American life in innumerable ways. Full-color photos, primary source imagery, and easy-to-read text paint a portrait of Franklin’s life from his early days as a printer’s apprentice to his final days as a diplomat in France during the Revolutionary War. Franklin was also one of the framers of the Declaration of Independence, and this book will help students understand what the document has meant to our country’s history.