Edited by Smith (humanities, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy) and the National Maritime Historical Society, this two-volume text includes documents from America's maritime history, from 1492 and well into the war in Iraq. Some of the more well-known or famous authors of these narratives, letters, and other forms of correspondence include: Christopher Columbus to Thomas Paine, Alexander Hamilton, Woodrow Wilson, John F. Kennedy, Tom Ridge, and Bruce Babbitt. Also, events are set in the larger context of American history with references to gender, power, labor, race relations, and the environment. Written as a textbook, chapter sections include questions to be used as focus aids or as the basis of student assignments. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)