An Age of Extremes, 1880-1917, A History of US, Book 8

By: Joy Hakim

Narrated by: Christina Moore

For the captains of industry ? men like Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, and Henry Ford ? the Gilded Age is a time of big money. Technology boomed with the invention of trains, telephones, electric lights, harvesters, vacuum cleaners, and more. But for millions of immigrant workers, it is a time of big struggles, with adults and children alike working 12 to 14 hours a day under extreme, dangerous conditions. The disparity between the rich and the poor was dismaying, which prompted some people to action. In An Age of Extremes, you?ll meet Mother Jones, Ida Tarbell, Big Bill Haywood, Sam Gompers, and other movers and shakers, and get swept up in the enthusiasm of Teddy Roosevelt. You?ll also watch the United States take its greatest role on the world stage since the Revolution, as it enters the bloody battlefields of Europe in World War I.

Critic reviews

"Marvelous. Author Joy Hakim, a mother and former journalist and teacher, has imbued each volume with sincerity, zest, and inspiration." (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Excellent American History for Tweens and Teens

Love the narrator. She is one of the best aspects of this series.

Many aspects of this I loved – Teddy Roosevelt, the Wright Brothers, the lead up to World War I. My 12 year old son would give this an unqualified highest rating. He found this period of history very interesting, in part due to Hakim’s engaging presentation.

My only reservation is the trouble I have with Hakim interjecting her modern perspective on the historical events. I’m not sure why this is more grating to me on the later installments. My son has no problem with it – and he is the intended audience.

A simple overview appropriate for young teens

I wouldn't recommend this book to someone familiar with the era, or someone seeking an in-depth treatment. But I think it would work well as an introduction for an intelligent 12-15 year old reader.

Kind of preachy

The author went to great pains to tell me what I should think about the persons and their lives. Furthermore, went out of the way to give me their political view. Disappointed

captivating and perfect for long drives

this book captivated my husband and I as we drove overnight from NY to NC. we learned so much and discussed the details all night long.