This primary source reader captures the excitement of hands-on history through letters, articles, journalistic sources, photographs and posters. Constructing the American Pastachieves a level of inclusion and depth rarely found in other source books. Each chapter focuses on a particular problem or moment in American history, and provides students with several points of view. The photographs, posters and maps included ask the students to "read" the visual sources of American history. By exposing students to primary sources, the building blocks of history, Constructing the American Pastfosters a solid foundation and invites its readers to analyze and interpret American history.