Contesting the Past, Reconstructing the Nation: American Literature and Culture in the Gilded Age, 1876-1893

Meer over het boek

The book explores how America's identity was shaped and contested in the post-Reconstruction era through varying historical narratives. Benjamin Railton highlights the shift towards unified historical accounts between the Centennial and Columbian Expositions while acknowledging that social conflicts challenged these narratives. He emphasizes that historical literature serves as a crucial lens for understanding the diverse visions of American history during this transformative period.