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The Legacy

by Marilyn May Dolven

106 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #07-2458; ISBN 1-4251-5500-6; US$11.91, C$11.91, EUR8.14, £6.15

This book is a historical biography focused on developing understanding of history shaping people. The death of a grandparent leads to a deeper understanding of the value of generational influence.

About the Book

The Legacy is a historical biography with the focus on helping students understand that history shapes people. It encourages students to look at historical and geographical events in relationship to the effect on families. The chapters are short and filled with authentic photos and documents as illustrations to strengthen the reader's connection with the family and it's experiences.

The main character, Jacob, is sad and angry about the death of his grandfather and all the changes that are happening in his world. He doesn't understand how his grandmother, mother, and older sisters seem to just accept the changes when everything is so different. Jacob's grandfather was a World War II veteran and as the family travels to Fort Gibson for the burial Jacob listens to his grandmother talk about the past and learns a lot about his family history. As his grandmother talks, Jacob begins to understand the patriotism and sacrifice necessary for American freedom. The special memories he has of his grandfather take on a new meaning. He discovers that he has been given a special legacy and a responsibility for the future. The term legacy is used in both the broad concept of historical events shaping destiny and in the personal concept of family culture.

A sub theme is the issue of coping with the death of a family member. The book provides a model for dealing with the death of a grandparent and developing a value system that appreciates human relationships and generational influence.

About the Author

Dr. Marilyn May Dolven is a graduate of Kansas State University, with a Ph.D. in Education and has been in the education profession for over 30 years, teaching in areas of Art, History, and the Social Sciences. She is presently part of the education faculty at Georgia Gwinnett College, in Lawrenceville, Georgia. She lives with her husband, mother, and one very spoiled Lhasa Apso puppy named Christopher, in Gainesville, Georgia. Her grown children, Laura, Katie, and Jacob, come to visit, play with the puppy, and listen to their grandmother tell stories of the past.

Dr. Dolven is a past editor for Geographic Insights, a Kansas Geographic Education publication, and she is currently on the Journal of Social Studies Research Journal review board. Dr. Dolven has written and published a variety of articles on topics of educational change and the integration of technology into teaching methodology.