reference

摘要

Johnson (history, Providence Coll.) offers a glimpse into the tangled world of the Progressive Era, when Americans sought to curb the excesses of the Gilded Age and create better futures amid the turmoil and disruption of a rapidly urbanizing and industrializing society. The editor's goal is not comprehensiveness but rather a concise examination of salient themes, people, and events with the aim of providing high school students and undergraduates a jumping-off point for further research. This work is organized into five thematic sections, ranging from "Social and Political Life" to "Sports and Popular Culture." Each section begins with an overview, followed by an alphabetical selection of entries and a collection of pertinent primary source documents and images. The thematic arrangement of the encyclopedia is perhaps its most notable feature, as it draws readers' attention to areas such as popular culture and religious life that may get lost in the political-economic lens through which the Progressive Era is often taught. Entries on art nouveau and Chautauqua highlight elements of American life that are sometimes overshadowed by Standard Oil and the rise of the American empire. Overall, this title succeeds in surfacing new topics for student researchers and presents helpful avenues to further inquiry, though some readers may wish for more images and cleaner, more focused writing. VERDICT A useful tool for undergraduate students exploring American history at an introductory level.—Stephen Buss, Univ. of the Sciences, Philadelphia.