A biographical reference containing 350 profiles of American men and women who have been leaders in the social and intellectual movements that have significantly affected American life and thought from colonial times to the present. The profiles provide biographical and historical information to place the subjects within a particular social movement. Significant events in American history are described and important terms are defined. Each profile contains a brief bibliography, and many are illustrated with b&w portraits of the subjects. For students (from high school on) and general readers. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
"American Social Leaders" pulls together 350 people, about 50 of whom are still living, whose beliefs and actions have shaped our history. Such a broad mandate and time period presented a challenge to the editors, which they have met well
The people profiled fall into a number of general categories--leaders of social movements (e.g., abolition, temperance, human rights, environmental protection); those whose ideas influenced others; and "those who converted their success as inventors, industrialists and philanthropists into popular influence." Entrants run the gamut from Elijah Muhammad, Amelia Bloomer, John D. Rockefeller, Ida Tarbell, Helen Gurley Brown, Ralph Nader to Jerry Falwell
The highly readable biographies are 250 words or more in length and arranged alphabetically by name. While they cover the subject's whole life, the narratives focus on the period when the person had the most influence, with the emphasis on the public role of the individual. Some profiles are accompanied by portraits, and each entry has a brief bibliography
A sample entry explains the cross-references and other features. An index by category of social contribution (e.g., philanthropist, abolitionist) would have been helpful for students assigned a subject area in which to do a biography
Many of the entrants will be found elsewhere--"American Reformers", "Dictionary of American Biography", "Current Biography", and other sources. However, the profiles in this well-written dictionary will be accessible and helpful to students from junior high to college. Public libraries will also find it a useful addition.
