The aim of this section is to give you a selection of books and films to read/watch in preparation for teaching or studying C19th America. For a full list of other recommendations see the OCR Teacher Guide pages 21 and 22 HERE. Click the images to go to a product page. Do get in touch if you have any other recommendations.
TV and Film
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| A fantastic documentary which details American expansion from 1789-1900. Brilliantly put together with some excellent interviews and really tight focus on personal stories. Highly recommended. | Another great documentary by Ken Burns looking at the Civil War. Available to download. |
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| Deeply moving account of the life of Solomon Northup who was kidnapped into slavery. Based faithfully on Northup's original book, which can be downloaded for free online. | If you want to understand America's own telling of the settlement of the West then this is the best film to do it. A classic. |
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| Captures life on the trails like no other film. Long, hot and dusty. A really interesting take on the Western genre. | Because....sense of period? |
Book selection
 The definitive book on pre-Civil War slavery and the expansion of the USA. Baptist explains all American development through the lens of slavery and exploitation. Absolutely brilliant. Also an audio book. |  West uses a study of the Cheyenne and Colorado to explain the big story of Westward expansion. A fantastic book. |  A nice, accessible overview of the American Civil War. Adam Smith also has a website with further useful resources. |
 A shameless plug for my textbook! |  Mark Twain's own, humorous account of life in Colorado during the Gold Rush. A brilliant read and also available as an audio book. |  A fantastic introduction to the American West. Also available as an audio book. |
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