American Reform and Reformers: A Biographical Dictionary [Hardcover]

Randall M. Miller (Editor), Paul A. Cimbala (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0313288399 | ISBN-13: 978-0313288395 | Edition: 1st edition,

In entries such as "Jane Addams and the Settlement House Movement," "Booker T. Washington and Black Self-Help," and "Betty Friedan and the National Organization for Women," this dictionary provides in-depth examinations of major American reformers and the movements they defined. With coverage extending from the early republic to today, the book considers abolitionism, women's rights, temperance, the social gospel, birth control, pacifism, civil rights, environmentalism, consumerism, and other controversial movements. Each entry combines biography with historical analysis to show the historical context and character of the movement and person. Individually, the entries provide modern, interpretive treatments of their subjects. Collectively, they reveal the direction and dynamics of American reform over two centuries. Emphasizing social reform over civic reform, the book gives special attention to reformers and reforms that have significantly altered the social order. Written by prominent scholars, the entries show the importance of personality and historical context in reform movements and the relationship between particular reforms and the temperament of an age. With full-bodied biographies of the reformers and their movements, a time-line on American reform, up-to-date interpretations and bibliographies, and a wide range of subjects, this book provides the most comprehensive and cogent view of American reform and reformers anywhere. It also provides the fullest treatment to date of post-World War II reform activity and personalities.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This dictionary covers major reformers and reform movements from the beginning of the American Republic to the present, providing an in-depth examination of the direction and context of reform efforts in U.S. history. Coverage is given to many controversial reform movements, including abolitionism, temperance, pacifism, and birth control, as well as such movements as consumerism, environmentalism, and women's rights. Many of the reformers profiled--Jane Addams, Booker T. Washington, and Betty Friedan--make up the who's who of the American reform movement. Lesser-known reformers, such as Washington Gladden, Rachel MacNair, and Charles G. Finney, are profiled as well, along with figures such as Mary Baker Eddy and Joseph Smith, who are not usually characterized as reformers.

The introduction, written by Miller, professor of history at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, notes that the reformers selected for inclusion in this collection principally operated outside of government. He further points out that this dictionary's emphasis is on social rather than civic reform and its essays "reflect the struggle between private and public controls that has marked American reform throughout its history." The introduction concludes with a bibliographic essay on the literature of the American reform movement.

The major part of the book includes 39 alphabetically arranged biohistorical essays, each written by a scholar familiar with the reformer's life and work. The essays run about 13 pages in length and include a useful bibliography of articles and books. While the essays contain the significant facts of and important dates in each reformer's life, the emphasis is on analysis. The informative and well-written essays help show the relationship between the mood of the age and particular reform movements. They also reveal the importance of a strong personality in reform movements. This section ends with a helpful reform chronology, followed by a detailed index.

While biographical information is available elsewhere for the 39 people in this book, these essays give an overview of the place of reform in American history. Recommended for university and large public library collections.

Review

“Recommended for college and university libraries at liberal arts institutions and as a book of supplemental readings for courses in recent US social history.”–Choice

“This dictionary covers major reformers and reform movements from the beginning of the American Republic to the present, providing an in-depth examination of the direction and context of reform efforts in U.S. history. The informative and well-written essays help show the relationship between the mood of the age and particular movements. Recommended for university and large public library collections.”–Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin

“...to understand how these extraordinary individuals came to the fore in their fields, the challenges they faced, and the legacies they left, only American Reform and Reformers will do.”– Rettig on Reference

“A highly informative biographical dictionary for both the student of history and the general public. Recommended.”–Reference Book Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press; 1st edition, edition (January 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313288399
• ISBN-13: 978-0313288395
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,507,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)