The Reader's Companion to American History [Paperback]

John A. Garraty (Editor), Eric Foner (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 21, 1991

The Reader's Companion to American History offers a fresh, absorbing portrait of the United States from the origins of its native peoples to the nation's complex identity in the 1990s. Covering political, economic, cultural, and social history, and combining hundreds of short descriptive entries with longer evaluative articles, the encyclopedia is informative, engaging, and a pleasure to read. The Reader's Companion is sponsored by the Society of American Historians, an organization dedicated to promoting literary excellence in the writing of biography and history. Under the editorship of the eminent historians John A. Garraty and Eric Foner, a large and distinguished group of scholars, biographers, and journalists -- nearly four hundred contemporary authorities -- illuminate the critical events, issues, and individuals that have shaped our past. More than a reference book to be consulted simply for the dates or details of an event, the Companion offers a history of ideas. It distinguishes itself from conventional encylcopedias by featuring several hundred thematic articles. A chronological account of immigration, for example, is complemented by a conceptual article on ethnicity. Similarly, the Bull Moose party and the Know-Nothings, examined in individual entries, are also placed within a larger context in an article on third parties in American politics. And readers consulting entries on specific religious groups, leaders, and movements will be led to an article offering an overview of religion in America. Linking discrete facts, dates, and events through its interpretive essays, the Reader's Companion presents the overarching themes and ideas that have animated our historical landscape. Over the past twenty years, the study of history has undergone a metamorphosis. Political history, once the primary avenue for exploring the past, has given way to the "new social history." Focus has shifted from key events and leaders to everyday life in America, including the history of the family, women and the work force, race relations, and community life. The Reader's Companion to American History reflects this broader vision of our past. Interweaving traditional political and economic topics with the spectrum of America's social and cultural legacies -- everything from marriage to medicine, crime to baseball, fashion to literature -- the Companion is certain to engage the curiosity, interests, and passions of every reader.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Like an encyclopedia, The Reader's Companion to American History contains alphabetical entries for almost every important person, place, or event in America's past. Unlike an encyclopedia, however, this lively interpretive volume is meant to be read and enjoyed, not merely used as a reference. It contains three different kinds of articles: short, unsigned listings similar to those found in most encyclopedias; signed biographical pieces by historical authorities; and longer essays on broad topics such as abolitionism or 20th-century art. Each article cross-references related topics, and an extensive index opens up webs of interrelationships, making it possible to delve deeply into areas of special interest. Accessible, comprehensive, and surprisingly affordable, The Reader's Companion to American History merits an important place in any home library.

From Library Journal

In their introduction, the editors emphasize that this book is truly intended as a reader's encyclopedia, to be perused for pleasure or read for instruction. While the alphabetic (rather than chronological) arrangement might make a cover-to-cover reading rather disjointed, there is no question that it would be enlightening. The nearly 1000 entries, ranging from concise explanations to multipage essays, are all equally well written, crisp, and entertaining. Most articles are signed by the nearly 400 contributors, many of whom are acknowledged experts in their fields (e.g., Arthur S. Link on Woodrow Wilson). Brief bibliographies and thorough "See also" references to related articles follow each entry. The accustomed bow to American popular culture is included, with Sinatra and Astaire rubbing elbows with Jefferson and King. By far the most useful and interesting articles are the essays on sociological issues, presenting fact-filled historical overviews on such topics as Housework, Abortion, Divorce, and Advertising. A similar book in concept and execution is the Concise Dictionary of American History (Scribner, 1983. $95). However, the articles here are more current and lengthy, and the authoritative writing and reasonable price make The Reader's Companion the better buy. This handy one-volume reference source for overviews of issues, movements, trends, and personalities is recommended for school, public, and university libraries.
- James Moffet, Baldwin P.L., Birmingham, Mich.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1248 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin (October 21, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395513723
• ISBN-13: 978-0395513729
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #663,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful for Skimming and Quick Overviews, March 14, 2002

By 

Eric H. Roth "English teacher/conversationali... (Venice Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reader's Companion to American History (Paperback)

Although I've only read a small fraction of this delightful reference work, I'm quite grateful to own it. It allows you to quickly research difficult topics, check the veracity of a book, and follow your intellectual curiousity.
For example, I recently watched a biography of Frederick Douglass, the 19th century abolitionist. That revitalized my interest in the fiery orator and the abolitionist movement. The Reader's Companion contains a concise, yet in-depth profile that emphasizes Douglass' insights into the roots and consequences of racism in the 19th century.
This hefty reference work, featuring the work of respected scholars should be used by anyone enrolled in a United States History course, professional historians, and amateur historians.
There is also enough balance that you can easily detect the biases of various writers.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a superb guide to assist one in the study of history, November 10, 2000

By 

j white (Uxbridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Reader's Companion to American History (Paperback)

the book is invaluable as it is quite difficult to read any history book and know every subject or person involved in the reading. Therefore, the reader's companion is a great source when doing history projects or simply reading history. One does not need to pull out all his encyclopedias or go online to find out who a person in his or her reading is. For any student, especially those of history, this book comes highly recommended. The exerpts are detailed, yet not too lengthy, and provide enough bacground for the average researcher.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just What I'd Been Looking For, January 18, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Reader's Companion to American History (Paperback)

The Reader's Companion to American History doesn't over-explain. Instead, it provides just enough information to help contextualize a period novel or, in my case, Constitutional law material, quickly. Without this book, I would have been forced to consult any number of sources to gather vital facts about people or events. This book is worth having around for reference.