Book excerpt: The Access to History series is the most popular and trusted series for AS and A level history students. The new editions combine all the strengths of this well-loved series with a new design and features that allow all students access to the content and study skills needed to achieve exam success. Civil rights in the USA 1945-68 has been written specifically to support the Edexcel and AQA AS Units for the 2008 specifications. It draws on respected and best-selling content from 'Race Relations in the USA 1860-1981' and adapts this content in order to cover the requirements of the shorter units. Tracing the development of African-American civil rights in the USA this title ranges from segregation in the 1950s to the growth of radicalism in the sixties. Throughout the book, key dates, terms and issues are highlighted, and historical interpretations of key debates are outlined. Summary diagrams are included to consolidate knowledge and understanding of the period, and exam-style questions and tips written by examiners for each examination board provide the opportunity to develop exam skills.