Author Karen Zeinert follows the rise and fall of McCarthyism and anti-Communist hysteria in the United States from its roots in the straining of American-Soviet relations after the Bolshevik Revolution and how it led to the "witch hunt" atmosphere of the Cold War. Zeinert details the fearful climate of the post-World War II years and how those like McCarthy took advantage to sustain an anti-Communist movement, smearing the reputations of many innocent...

Describes what it was like to be a woman during the Revolutionary War. Some women, in addition to managing their homes and families, took an active role in the war. Some served in the army (disguised as men), other acted as spies, and still others met in groups to provide goods and services.

Examines the role women played during World War I in various capacities, taking over male roles and inevitably aiding the women's suffrage movement.

Traces women's struggle to join the battle on all fronts--in the army and navy and in the air, as correspondents, as doctors and nurses, and on the home front.

Traces the 1839 revolt of Africans aboard the slave ship Amistad, their apprehension, and long trial which ended in their acquittal by the Supreme Court.

Draws from newspaper memoirs and letters of survivors to tell the story of the Donner Party, who, encourgaed by reports of an easy short-cut through the Sierra Nevada mountains, set out from Illinois in 1846 with dreams of the good life in California and become trapped by a blizzard that claims over thirty lives.