Booklist - 10/15/2010 Updated from its 2002 edition with a revised final chapter and minor changes elsewhere, this energetically written and profusely illustrated history remains one of the top-drawer single-volume accounts of the founding and growth of the U.S. for middle-grade students. The previous edition ended with 9/11; here, into the same page count Johnston fits Hurricane Katrina, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Barack Obama’s election, and other major events. He also exchanges the original’s “Great Debate” essay (each chapter contains a relevant one) on the domestic war on terrorism for one about federal intervention in the economy, and among other changes to the back matter replaces the Pledge of Allegiance and “Star-Spangled Banner” with the Seneca Falls Convention’s Declaration of Sentiments. Despite signs of hasty proofreading (the date of the Seneca Falls Declaration is given as 1948, not 1848, and the author thanks “David” rather than “Douglas” Brinkley for the new introduction), this tweaked reissue is recommended as a more portable alternative to Joy Hakim’s 10-volume A History of US (2003) or for replacement, as needed. - Copyright 2010 Booklist.