What's the Deal

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Summary: The curious chain of events regarding the Louisiana Purchase
Review: "What's the Deal: Jefferson, Napoleon, and the Louisiana Purchase" explains the story behind the greatest land sale in the history of the world from the perspective of both the United States and the French Empire of Napoleon, as well as from that of historical hindsight. Rhoda Blumberg sets the stage for the transaction in the aftermath of the French and Indian War, when France lost part of the vast American wilderness to England and gave the rest away to Spain. After the American Revolution settlers from the former colonies were continuing to move into the region. In the early years of the 19th century American President Thomas Jefferson envisioned the borders of the United States stretching across the continent to the Pacific Ocean, while in France, the rising military hero Napoleon Bonaparte planned nothing less than the conquest of the entire world.

What young readers will get out of this National Geographic Society volume is how relatively little people and events can end up changing the course of history and the importance of context. Blumberg examines the historical record and argues that because of the "Black Napoleon," Toussaint L'Ouverture (the hero of the tiny French colony of St. Domingue, now Haiti), an outbreak of yellow fever, and storms off of the coast of Holland ended up in the Louisiana Purchase. Additionally, we are halfway through the book before the subject of purchasing the Louisiana Territory is even put on the table. The first half of "What's the Deal" looks at the deterioration of Franco-American relations after the American Revolution, and particularly after the French had their own revolution, Reign of Terror, and found Napoleon ruling the country and plunging the European continent into war. The second half details the curious chain of events that led to the clearly unconstitutional purchase

This book is illustrated with historic etchings and paintings, including some marvelous examples of early political cartoons, including one of Napoleon taking a bath and the famous one showing the American Eagle saving the Constitution from being thrown on the flaming "Altar of Gallic Despotism" by Jefferson. The back of "What's the Deal" contains a Time Line and a Map of the present-day boundaries of the 15 states created entirely or in part from the Louisiana Purchase, along with the traditional Notes, Bibliography, and Index. Blumberg was interested in this subject because it represented not only a turning point in American and global history, as well as because it also involved two dynamic and important figures in Jefferson and Napoleon. But in the end she amply demonstrates that big historical events have little causes as well. This book is an excellent choice for any young student required to research the Louisiana Purchase for class.

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Summary: An outstanding book that makes history come alive.
Review: SEE *Starred Review of "School and Library Journal --- a rave review. eg. quotes: The author makes an exciting and suspenseful tale out of the negotiations" ..."Students of polotical science and American history will welcome this title." Book written by Newbery Honor winner, and recpient of many prestigious awards.