Its claims to superiority are thus referred to:—
1. Brevity. The text, other than appended national documents and the census of 1880, makes but 303 pages; and is within the most limited period allowable for instruction in American history.
2. Comprehensiveness. Has the pith of all large histories. See example, "English explorations," pages 34-39.
3. Arrangement. By six epochs; each followed by a chronological summary, a list of choice reference and reading books, and a sketch of national territorial development during the epoch considered.
4. Footnotes. With biographies of persons referred to in text. See Columbus, page 20; Raleigh, page 36; Putnam, page 108; Lafayette, page 119; Franklin, page 127; Pulaski, page 129; Jackson, page 175; Adams, page 154; Buchanan, page 196; Garfield, page 300.
5. Dates. Given in text, and associated with that and the footnotes.
6. Impartiality. All sectional, partisan, or denominational views are avoided.
7. Maps. Elegant, distinct, and colored. See "Early discoveries," page 18, and pages 100-149, etc.
8. Illustrations. Numerous, well suited, and artistic.
9. Questions. At back of book, respecting each epoch.