Encyclopedia of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era »

Spanning the era from the end of Reconstruction (1877) to 1920, the entries of this reference were chosen with attention to the people, events, inventions, political developments, organizations, and other forces that led to significant changes in the U.S. in that era. Seventeen initial stand-alone essays describe as many themes, including technology, urbanization, labor and industrial relations, African Americans, and literature. The essays are followed by almost 900 entries, many of them short biographies. Each entry concludes with a short list of bibliography. Many b&w photos are included. The encyclopedia will be of interest to high school and undergraduate students as well as the general reader. The contributors teach at universities and community colleges in the U.S., Canada, and Europe; some are independent scholars. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Library Journal

Editors John D. Buenker (history, emeritus, Univ. of Wisconsin, Parkside; Historical Dictionary of the Progressive Era) and son Joseph (assistant librarian, Arizona State Univ. Lib.) compiled this three-volume encyclopedia, which boasts the contributions of more than 200 scholars of the titular period, defined here as ranging from the end of Reconstruction (1877) to the "return to normalcy" (1920). Seventeen thematic essays (e.g., "Technology and Systematization," "The Economy"), each approximately 3000 words long, analyze the socioeconomic, cultural, religious, and political events that influenced the time and provide an excellent foundation for the 900-plus A-to-Z entries that follow. These entries include not only people but also a wide range of topics, from the Abbott sisters (Edith and Grace) to Zionism. Every essay and entry is followed by a brief bibliography. In addition, there are nearly 50 sidebars and more than 200 photographs and other graphics that add a cultural or human-interest aspect. Volume 3 contains 100 primary-source documents, a year-by-year chronology, and additional bibliographic references. Bottom Line This reference tool provides an excellent overview of the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era and will allow high school students, undergraduates, and the general public to learn more about this exciting period of American history. It would make an excellent addition to high school media centers as well as to undergraduate and public libraries.-Diane Fulkerson, Univ. of West Georgia Lib., Carrollton Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.