These two works are replete with suggestions, hints, and helps on collateral study, with numerous references, detailed lists of topics, and a wide range of other subjects which make them indispensable to the teacher of American history.
NOTE.--The subject of reference books on American history is treated thoroughly in Montgomery's _American History_ (see "Short List of Books," page xxxiii in Appendix), and Fiske's _History of the United States_ (see Appendix D, page 530, Appendix E, page 539, and Appendix F, page 542).
For original materials pertaining to the colonial period and the Revolution, admirably edited for school use, consult Hart's "Source-Readers in American History": No. 1, _Colonial Children_; No. 2, _Camps and Firesides of the Revolution_; No. 3, _How our Grandfathers Lived_.
In searching libraries for books on the Revolution, the teacher will find Winsor's _Reader's Handbook of the American Revolution_ very useful.
SCHOOL TEXT-BOOKS FOR READING AND REFERENCE
Pupils should have easy access, by means of the school library or otherwise, to a few of the formal school text-books on American history. In connection with this book, Montgomery's _Leading Facts of American History_, Fiske's _History of the United States_, Eggleston's _History of the United States_, and Steele's _Brief History of the United States_ (usually known as "Barnes's History") are especially valuable.
If less difficult and much smaller works are thought desirable, the following five books are recommended: Montgomery's _Beginner's American History_, McMaster's _Primary History of the United States_, Tappan's _Our Country's Story_, Thorpe's _Junior History of the United States_, and Eggleston's _First Book in American History_.
These books are useful for additional topics, for dates, maps, illustrations, reference tables, and for filling in subjects which do not come within the scope of this book.
Pupils should also have easy reference to books from which topics may be read, or from which may be read sparingly passages indicated by the teacher. Some of the books which have been suggested are more useful on account of their interesting style than for strict historical accuracy. Read the designated works not as a whole, but only by topics or by selections. They will do much to awaken and maintain a lively interest in American history.