CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY IN PRINT.

Byline: Scott Holleran Special to the Daily News

That today's American holiday is commonly referred to as the Fourth of July, as opposed to the name - Independence Day - that bears its philosophical roots, may be a mere sign of the times. But those who worry that Americans have abandoned any meaningful celebration of the birth of the free republic will be discouraged by one book publicist's reply to an inquiry about books related to Independence Day: ``You mean the movie?'' Fortunately, there is literary tonic for those who regard Samuel Adams as the name on a bottle of beer.

These powerful words remind us that America was founded on a truly radical idea - individual liberty: ``We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness ...' Written by Thomas Jefferson, ``The Declaration of Independence'' (a handsome hardbound edition from Applewood Books that fits in your hand, $9.95, plus a $4 shipping charge, available from the publisher; 800-277-5312), is one of America's most cherished writings, if not its best. Submitted to the Continental Congress on June 28, 1776, signed by John Hancock and adopted on July 4, 1776, this is the document that boldly declared the 13 colonies free and independent states. The handy reprint contains the original language, including spelling and punctuation, and it is one of the few reprints to include brief biographies of the signers, taken from B.J. Lossing's sketches, first published in 1848.

It's a pleasure getting to know the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence, revealed in his own words in ``The Life and Selected Writings of Thomas Jefferson,'' edited and with an introduction by Adrienne Koch and William Pedren (paperback, Modern Library; $15.95). Here, Jefferson (1743-1826) writes powerfully about his principles, the founding of the United States of America, his travels, his observations and his life.

The thought-provoking collection includes his letters, speeches, notes, essays, public papers, inaugural addresses and his short autobiography, which chronicles the heroic story of the Declaration of Independence. ``Jefferson'' also contains his original draft of the Declaration and those revisions made by others, which permit an illuminating comparison. This volume fully evokes the spirit of 1776 and establishes the Virginian as its primary force.

Edward Eggleston's ``A History of the United States and Its People'' (hardcover, Lost Classics Book Co.; $24.95, available from the publisher, 888-611-2665), accomplishes a rare feat for a history textbook for students - it is a treasure for adults, too. The unique study handbook, published in 1888, remains a compelling and comprehensive study of America's past. Arranged by topic, the former president of the American History Association includes over 400 maps and illustrations, fill-in exercises, pronunciations, suggestions for diagrams, reviews and blackboard exercises that stimulate the mind and test one's knowledge.

Eggleston (1837-1902) left his Methodist ministry to become a writer. And, as an idealist, he practiced his principles. The militant opponent of slavery refused to attend the University of Virginia. Eggleston is often critical here, too, noting that slavery is one of the Constitution's contradictions to the concept of freedom. But he is thoroughly objective; America's mistakes do not dominate the text, and he writes with an unmistakable reverence for the United States.

``A History of the United States and Its People'' includes fascinating sidebars and an attractive cover image of Archibald McNeal Willard's famous painting, ``Spirit of 76.''

The battle that launched the American Revolution is meticulously re-created in ``Decisive Day: The Battle for Bunker Hill,'' by Richard M. Ketchum (paperback, Owl Books; $14.95). The Yale graduate, who also wrote ``The American Heritage Book of the Revolution,'' makes the famous prelude to the War of Independence an interesting contemplation of warfare.

The gardens on the grounds of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Virginia, a lifelong project for the third president, are just one of the appealing features of ``Great American Gardens: A Photographic Celebration,'' by Stacey Lynn McNutt (hardcover, Courage Books; $12.98, available from the publisher, 800-345-5359).

Also worth checking out is John Burdick's ``American Colonial Homes: A Pictorial History'' (hardcover, Courage Books; $12.98, available from the publisher, 800-345-5359), which is like a leisurely trip to the colonial past. Whether planning a historical excursion or recalling a past visit, the reader will practically hear the birds singing and smell the flowers' fragrant aromas as he savors the colorful pages.

``The sound of our light guns, which I recognised so well, did not fail to rouse me into a state of excitement; and as an old war-horse prances and curvets at the shrill ringing of the trumpet, I felt the blood pour like electric fire through my veins ...'' writes a young Prussian soldier in ``Memoirs of The Confederate War for Independence: A Prussian Officer with J.E.B. Stuart in Virginia,'' by Heros von Borcke (paperback, J.S. Sanders & Co.; $15.95, available from the publisher, 800-350-1101). The aristocrat's perspective on the American Civil War is an engrossing war diary. The 26-year-old Prussian soldier's story begins in 1862, when he boards a Confederate runner in Bermuda. Von Borcke arrives in South Carolina, escapes capture in Charleston Harbor, rides with Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's men in Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville and is wounded in an early part of the Gettysburg campaign.

This is both useful as a war memoir and as a peek at history through the eyes of a young man. Von Borcke's odyssey is traveled less for love of slavery than for the glory of aristocracy, and his memorable saga puts the reader in the foxhole with an army of Americans that fought for independence from the United States.

Originally published in 1940, ``The Life and Writings of Abraham Lincoln,'' edited by Philip Van Doren Stern (hardcover, Modern Library; $22.95), integrates the chronology of the 16th president's life with his writings in this redesigned volume. The first Republican president's papers include his famous Gettysburg address, letters to dear friend Joshua Speed and wife Mary Lincoln, military orders, texts from his slavery debates with Stephen A. Douglas, the Emancipation Proclamation, notes, Lincoln's application for a patent, poems, proclamations, a campaign biography, his last public address and the White House pass written on the eve of his assassination.

Thirty years of Mort Kunstler's paintings of the American West and much more are the subject of ``The American Spirit: The Paintings of Mort Kunstler,'' text by Henry Steele Commager (hardcover, Rutledge Hill Press; $39.95, available from the publisher, 800-234-4234). The artist created most of his work for publishers and advertising agencies, confirming that particularly American phenomenon of commerce yielding skilled works of art.

As Armand Hammer writes in his foreword, Kunstler stands with Frederic Remington at the forefront of contemporary realism. Many of these paintings capture both American history and mythology; Daniel Boone, the opening of the Erie Canal, the fall of the Alamo, covered wagons and pioneers, the Wright brothers' first flight and the launch of America's first space shuttle are among the many highlights.

Now that she's a fan of America's most legendary baseball team, first lady Hillary Clinton might want to check out ``New York Yankees Collectibles'' (paperback, Beckett Publications; $24.95), capably compiled by the staff of Baseball Card Monthly. The price guide includes over 150 pages of listings, descriptions and prices for pennants, autographs, trading cards and other Yankees memorabilia. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle - the stuff of the Yankees' best are all here. Collecting baseball cards has become as much an American pastime as the sport - and increasingly lucrative.

``The First World War was a tragic and unnecessary conflict,'' begins Vassar history professor John Keegan in his new epic, ``The First World War'' (hardcover, Knopf; $35). Tracing the war that wiped out the lives of 10 million individuals, Keegan expertly re-creates the Great War and explains how it shaped our times. Modern art, new approaches in medicine, radical economics and a shattering of the rationalism and liberalism that Keegan claims prevailed in Europe since the Enlightenment are cited as several numerous legacies. One need not agree with each of Keegan's conclusions to appreciate this breathtaking account of the nightmare we know as World War I.

Whether the American women win this year's World Cup, soccer players, parents and coaches of both sexes will find much to enjoy in an intelligent portrayal of the world's finest female athletes at their best in ``Women's Soccer: The Game and the World Cup'' (Universe Publications; $20). Written by some of the world's best soccer journalists, ``Women's Soccer'' includes the story of women's soccer, profiles of international stars and a stunning portrait of star U.S. player Mia Hamm, whose older brother, Garrett, her original idol, died of a rare blood disorder two years ago. Named for her mother's favorite dance instructor, Mia fought battles both on and off the soccer field to become a fiercely defiant contender and emerge triumphant. She is now the all-time leading scorer in women's soccer.

``Women's Soccer'' is a must-read for today's growing contingent of soccer moms and dads, whose behavior risks mirroring that of their Little League parents. The do's and don'ts from two players include: Do ``allow her to take risks. `Sweetie, don't get too close to those big, bad defenders,' is not exactly useful advice.'' Don't tell her she looks pretty in her uniform, and a ``don't'' that's sure to become a favorite with girls' teams: Don't yell ``Boot it! Shoot it! Pass it!'' etc. - (``You go girl,'' will do.)

Nearly every American could probably use ``A Daily Dose of the American Dream: Stories of Success, Triumph and Inspiration,'' by Alan C. Elliott (hardcover, Rutledge Hill Press; $14.95, available from the publisher, 800-234-4234). The Texan author of 15 books includes generally respectable success stories, quotations and his own thoughts to consider for each day of the year, including the unforgettable tales of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller, Martin Luther King Jr. and Bill Gates. For the entry on July 4, for instance, Elliott implores the reader to remember that in the summer of 1776, a group of 56 men met and fashioned the greatest nation in the world. ``They knew they were at risk,'' he writes. ``Every man knew that his signature on such a document could be a warrant for his death.'' Elliott asks: ``What have you done with your freedom?'' Today, it's a question which deserves an answer from the patriotic reader.

CAPTION(S):

Drawing

DRAWING: no caption (American flag and books)

James Hames/Daily News