The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Colonial America

            This hardcover book, published in 1997 and written by Dale Taylor for the Writer’s Digest Series, gives a thorough and honest overview of times in colonial America from 1607 to 1783, at the end of the American Revolution. I emphasize overview, because that is just what it is—it covers so many topics for each of the thirteen colonies that it doesn’t get into too much historical depth of the people or events of this period. For the person who is interested in writing an historical novel set in this time period, it makes an excellent resource for building an authentic world; the research is dependable and well done.

            Taylor covers regional overviews for government, religion, every day life in the home, society, trades and businesses. He does mention notable leaders in some instances, and why this country offered such favorable conditions for the nation's growth. The book is generously illustrated with pictures of the period, and is a factual resource for the Early American history lover.           

            Writers of an early American novel—or of several other historical eras—might want to begin their research with a Writer's Guide to Everyday Life book. This series includes many historically accurate books of periods from the Middle Ages up through the Prohibition and WWII. Interesting as they are however, they do read like a high school level text book.
            FYI: I’d recently heard from someone interested in writing about World War I who was unable to find enough information on the subject, and though I’d expected to find a book written about the time period in this series, there were none. 

           You may find The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life in Colonial America and other books from the series on Amazon. My rating: 4 of 5 stars.