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Overview
The Progressive Era, provides hundreds of firsthand accounts of the period - from diary entries, memoirs, letters, speeches, magazines, and newspaper accounts - that illustrate how historical events appeared to those who lived through them. In addition to the firsthand accounts, each chapter provides an introductory essay and a chronology of events. The book also includes excerpts from such critical documents as the Monroe Doctrine, Plessy v. Ferguson, The Souls of Black Folk, The Jungle, and the Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, and Nineteenth Amendments, as well as capsule biographies of more than 200 key figures, a map and table appendix, notes, a bibliography, an index, and more than 100 black-and-white photographs.Synopsis
Marking the Progressive Era as spanning the period from 1890, the year the frontier was declared closed in the West, to 1920, when women first voted in a presidential election, Jaycox (M.A., English, U. of Pittsburgh) presents a history of the time that combines narrative description with excerpts of firsthand accounts of the period from diaries, memoirs, letters, speeches, literature, magazines, newspapers, and speeches, as well as select historical documents such as the Monroe Doctrine, Plessy v. Fergusson, and ratified constitutional amendments. It also includes capsule biographies of some 200 key figures, a collection of maps, and a non- annotated bibliography. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Library Journal
This volume employs the same approach as the other titles, with each of the eight narrative chapters reading more like a history textbook than a reference source. Jaycox (The Colonial Era) covers the main American events from 1890 to 1920, including the closing of the American frontier and the growth of cities, the growth of direct democracy with the passage of four constitutional amendments, the emergence of the United States as a world power, and the influx of immigrants from southern and eastern Europe. Each chapter is followed by a chronological table of significant events and an assortment of quoted eyewitness accounts from men and women who lived at the time. Economic conditions, social concerns, popular culture, and international events all receive attention. There are three appendixes: documents of the era, biographies of major personalities, and tables and maps. An extensive bibliography and index contribute to the book's usefulness. Scattered throughout the text are photographs and illustrations supplementing the historical record. Bottom Line With its complete coverage of the Progressive Era, this work belongs in high school, public, and undergraduate libraries. Unlike the books from Gale's "American Decades" and "American History by Era"series, which belong in ready-reference collections, this is better suited for circulating collections.-Judith Klamm, Kansas City P.L., MO Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.