This skills-text is the first of four books in the series "Readings in American History." The materials allow opportunities to improve reading and comprehension skills in a subject matter context by using certain primary sources related to the topic. Book I covers the time from the European discovery of the Americas in 1492 to the end of the American Revolution. Each lesson includes short readings with exercises and questions to allow students to explore the topic. The text includes: (1) "Europeans Meet 'Indians' in the New World"; (2) "Europeans and Native Americans"; (3) "The Native Americans"; (4) "Native Americans and the White Settlers"; (5) "Slaves from Africa for America"; (6) "The 'Middle Passage'"; (7) "The Puritans Decide to Leave Europe for America"; (8) "The Mayflower Compact"; (9) "The Zengers Defend a Free Press"; (10) "The Stamp Act"; (11) "The Colonists Defeat the Stamp Act"; (12) "Tories and Colonists"; (13) "Liberty or Death"; (14) "The Road to Lexington and Concord"; (15) "The Shot Heard 'Round the World"; (16) "The Declaration of Independence"; (17) "Americans at Valley Forge"; and (18) "The World Turned Upside Down." A review section, glossary, and teacher's guide are included. (EH)