Product Description: This primary source reader in the popular Discovering series contains a multi-part pedagogical framework that guides students through the process of historical inquiry and explanation. The text emphasizes historical study as interpretation rather than memorization of data.The Sixth Edition integrates new documents and revised coverage throughout. Appearing in Volumes I and II, the Reconstruction chapter uncovers the work ethic of farmers and workers in the West and North following the Civil War. Each chapter is organized within the same pedagogical framework: The Problem, Background, The Method, The Evidence, Questions to Consider, and Epilogue.
Teaching Critical Thinking? Not. In my opinion, the authors should introduce evidence in The Evidence rather than making bold, uncorroborated statements in Questions to Consider (thus tainting the evidence with bias); however the authors are prone to guiding the reader to a pre-chosen conclusion. This, to me, is unconscionable in a book purported to help students become critical thinkers. The authors apparently use a different definition for "critical thinker" than I am familiar with. In truth, the book intends to be censor morum, teaching the student to become a politically-correct thinker.
I loved reading The Evidence but I can really do without the editorializing in the other sections of each chapter. Allow the student to come to his own conclusions, I say. Unfortunately (or fortunately, rather) not all textbooks are equal.
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