Mr. Ashley has added another excellent text on American history to the numerous recent ones for secondary schools. The course of events is carried down to 1907. “The subjects have been grouped under topical heads. The author has hoped to indicate by this means the relation of each historical change to the movement of the times and the relation of this smaller movement to the larger phases of our development which are given in the chapters” (preface). The attention given to wars is agreeably less than in texts of some years ago,--only 100 pages out of 550. Industrial and social development, and economic phases are given 100 pages. These chapters are after the various epochal periods; they are complete and attractive. Over 100 pages are given to the period since the Civil War. All these proportions are in agreement with the general trend in historical instruction to-day. The relation of governmental institutions to historical development is especially clear. The opening chapter is on geographic influences of America and the early European background. Such sections in the book as follows are illustrative of the clearness of topics usually difficult for high school pupils:--40, “English Puritans”; 87, “English Colonists and Their Governors,” where the temperament of governor is considered an important factor; 265, distinction between Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy; 330, “Fundamental causes of Secession”; 331, “Slavery and state sovereignty vs. nationality”; 337-345, “Conditions affecting Union Success.” It is a pleasure to note the comparative brief description of such complicated military or naval movements as the naval episodes of the War of 1812, the Shenandoah Valley campaign of the Civil War (1864), the Vicksburg campaign, &c. The author is quite fair in that period in which every American historian is most open to the charge of being prejudiced,--the Civil War. He shows an impartial attitude; he gives credit to both sides. The account is written in true historical perspective without discrediting the value of the final result. The bearing of lines of communication upon the course of wars are indicated. Many will appreciate the omission of the names of the assassins of the martyred President, probably the first school text to do this. There are a few defects: It is not evident from the account of the Battle of Bunker Hill why it was called such, though fought on Breed’s Hill. Certainly J. Q. Adams’ name should be given in connection with the “gag resolution” of 1835. The sections of the copy of the national constitution should be subdivided into clauses for convenient reference. All of these points, however, are of minor importance and hardly detract from the general high scholarship of the text.