The Gilded Age: Historical Essays on the Origins of Modern America | Perfect for History Students & American Studies Scholars

The Gilded Age by Charles C. Calhoun describes itself as a collection of essays on the origins of modern America. The book offers information on the various categories of people living in America during the so-called Gilded Age, a time of rapid change, a time of accumulation of vast fortunes, a time of growing social discontent. Editor Charles C. Calhoun collects the research of numerous scholars. Therefore the positions of industrialists, laborers, women, African Americans, Native Americans, farmers and politicians are all covered with equal enthusiasm. This is a good way to do it because the focus of the overall book is more inclusive and less narrowly focused. This allows the reader to form his or her own opinions on the data presented. Photographs and illustrations help to shed light upon the landscapes and lives of the characters living during the late 1800's and early 1900's. My favorite pictures are found in the chapter titled "Urbanizing America". There are some great shots of how our cities used to look. Overall the book is informative and you might find yourself saying, "Oh, so that is why things are the way they are today."