Carefully compiled and clearly organized, this 4-volume reference offers students and the general reader a thorough overview of the various parts of daily life in America from its founding through 2005. Each volume is devoted to a separate era, then further sub-divided into chronological sections. The sections start with an overview of the historical and political events before turning to the descriptions of the domestic, economic, intellectual, material, political, recreational, and religious styles of the time. The text refers to individual events and people while discussing broader themes and behaviors, with attention throughout to issues of poverty, class, race, and gender. Each volume concludes with a large selection of primary documents. B&w photos, tables, boxes, maps, and other materials supplement the text. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)