Major Problems in the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era: Documents and Essays (Major Problems in American History Series) [Paperback]

Leon Fink (Author), Thomas Paterson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0618042555 | ISBN-13: 978-0618042555 | Publication Date: August 4, 2000 | Edition: 2

This text presents a carefully selected group of readings, on topics such as American capitalism and the Great War, that allow students to evaluate primary sources, test the interpretations of distinguished historians, and draw their own conclusions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 2 edition (August 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618042555
• ISBN-13: 978-0618042555
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important Book for any Student of History, February 7, 2004

By 

John Jefferson (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Major Problems in the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era: Documents and Essays (Major Problems in American History Series) (Paperback)

Leon Fink brings together primary and secondary sources that all but force the reader to determine the actual goings on for himself. There is distinctly absent an editorial interpretation of events or topics covered in this work, which makes it an absolute necessity for future history text writers at the primary or secondary level. They may take an important lesson from the structure and function of this book, that being that students need to see and read things for themselves in order to form a relative and informed opinion about such events. Imagine students at the high school and university levels still believing that Columbus discovered America or George Washington chopped down a cherry tree. Fink's editorial style provides much evidence of the way things ought to be. Fink does not interfere or contradict any of the primary source documents he includes here, therefore the reader will not detect any personal or political bias.

The topics covered in this book range from 1875 and the Gilded Age to 1920 and the aftermath of World War I. A wide range of authors are included and various aspects of history, from poetry to stump speech are considered equal. Primary source documents, such as speeches given by big business proponents or political activists are supplemented by lengthier secondary source materials written by university scholars such as Arthur Link and David Kennedy among many others. In this format, students are able to distinguish between what we say happened and what really happened according to documented facts. Thus, students are able to sharpen critical reading and critical thinking skills exponentially by the end of this work. Naturally, the documents themselves will have a personal or political bias, as authors generally exhibit such, but the student's task will be to uncover evidence of such bias while simultaneously extruding facts.

This book acts as a perfect follow up to a general American history survey, perhaps even as the required text for a sectional history course having something to do with the Gilded Age and/or Progressive Era. I wholeheartedly recommend the entire Major Problems series as they all allow a reader to perform his job task correctly: read and think critically about the topic at hand.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hate America?, July 5, 2011

By 

George Houck "Keeperofthewall" (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Major Problems in the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era: Documents and Essays (Major Problems in American History Series) (Paperback)

If you hate America get this book. It is brutal, although not at all balanced some of the info is really good to know to keep American history in context. I DID NOT KEEP THIS BOOK.