First published between 1982 and 1983, this series examines the peculiarly American cultural context out of which the nation's literature has developed. Covering the years from 1865 to 1900, this third volume of American Literature in Context focuses on the struggles of American writers to make sense of their rapidly changing world. In addition to such major figures as Walt Whitman, Henry James, Emily Dickinson and Mark Twain, it analyses the writings of an unorthodox economist (Henry George), a Utopian reformer (Edward Bellamy) and a critical sociologist (Thorstein Veblen). Particular attention is paid to the challenge to conventional literary and cultural values represented by writers such as William Dean Howell who pursued a new form of scientific, democratic realism in American writing.

This book will be of interest to those studying American literature and American studies.

Andrew Hook

General Editor's Preface, Andrew Hook; Introduction, Andrew Hook; Chapter 1 Walt Whitman (1819-92), Andrew Hook; Chapter 2 Henry George (1839-97), Andrew Hook; Chapter 3 Henry James (1843-1916), Andrew Hook; Chapter 4 Emily Dickinson (1830-86), Andrew Hook; Chapter 5 Mark Twain (1835-1910), Andrew Hook; Chapter 6 William Dean Howells (1837-1920), Andrew Hook; Chapter 7 Edward Bellamy (1850-98), Andrew Hook; Chapter 8 Hamlin Garland (1860-1940), Andrew Hook; Chapter 9 Stephen Crane (1871-1900), Andrew Hook; Chapter 10 Harold Frederic (1856-98), Andrew Hook; Chapter 11 Frank Norris (1870-1902), Andrew Hook; Chapter 12 Kate Chopin (1850-1904), Andrew Hook; Chapter 13 Thorstein Veblen (1857-1929), Andrew Hook; Chapter 14 Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945), Andrew Hook;