Skip to Main Content
Department of History Faculty Publications
American Tomboys, 1850-1915 by Renée M. Sentilles
Examines the evolution of the tomboy concept post-Civil War. The book suggests that tomboys, once seen as atypical, became key transitional figures. Cultural observers of the time envisioned white middle-class tomboys growing into robust mothers of a growing America. Sentilles’ research includes new primary sources reflecting tomboys’ real experiences and discusses broader themes of gender, family, race, and nation
ISBN: 1625343191
Publication Date: 2018
The Mexican Revolution in Chicago: Immigration Politics from the Early Twentieth Century to the Cold War by John H. Flores
Before the 1960s political activism, a significant social movement emerged in the United States, led by Mexican immigrants inspired by their homeland’s revolution. These revolutionaries, often rejecting U.S. citizenship, have been overlooked by history, yet their experiences hold valuable lessons for our interconnected world today. John H. Flores explores this generation of Mexican immigrants and their transnational movements within the United States.
ISBN: 9780252083426
Publication Date: 2018
The Pursuit of Harmony: Kepler on Cosmos, Confession, and Community by Aviva Rothman
Johannes Kepler, a multifaceted German astronomer, sought harmony in a world divided by religious and scientific beliefs. Aviva Rothman's "The Pursuit of Harmony" portrays Kepler as a man striving to reconcile conflicting ideas, amidst political turmoil and religious conflict. Initially seeking a unified truth, Kepler's focus shifted to advocating for the peaceful coexistence of diverse views, anchored in the neutral realm of mathematics.
ISBN: 9780226496979
Publication Date: 2017
Squadron: Ending the African Slave Trade by John Broich
"Squadron" is a historical account by John Broich that narrates the persistence of the slave trade along Africa's east coast during the mid-1800s, despite Britain's early abolitionist stance. The Royal Navy dispatched a squadron to combat this trade, led by four officers determined to end it. Their mission faced opposition from wealthy merchants, leading to its initial cancellation. Ultimately, a coalition of naval officers and abolitionists succeeded in compelling the British government to abolish the slave trade completely. Broich's work, based on extensive archival research, presents a story of resistance against political corruption, akin to the adventurous tales of Patrick O'Brian's naval fiction.
ISBN: 1468313983
Publication Date: 2017
Before Mestizaje: The Frontiers of Race and Caste in Colonial Mexico by Ben Vinson III
This book explores the extreme caste groups of colonial Mexico to understand the connection between the colonial caste system and the modern ideology of racial mixture, known as mestizaje, in Latin America. The colonial form of racial hybridity allowed people to live through multiple racial lives. This overlooked history of mestizaje is a legacy that can be built upon in modern times.
ISBN: 9781107026438
Publication Date: 2017
Electroconvulsive Therapy In America: The Anatomy of A Medical Controversy by Jonathan Sadowsky
The book examines the polarizing views on Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), a procedure seen by some as a human rights issue and by others as a psychiatric breakthrough. It delves into ECT’s contentious history in America, balancing clinical science, personal accounts, and cultural perspectives. The discussion extends beyond the procedure itself, reflecting broader cultural and medical shifts, and the complex interplay between physiology, societal beliefs, and the concept of medical authority.
ISBN: 9781138696969
Publication Date: 2016
Coal and Empire by Peter A. Shulman
Argues that the American association of energy with national security began in the coal age, not with oil. The book traces how coal influenced U.S. foreign relations, navy logistics, and politics, shaping America’s role in the world. It discusses the strategic shift from coal to oil and suggests that energy security will remain a global struggle, regardless of the power source.
ISBN: 9781421417066
Publication Date: 2015
Concrete Demands by Rhonda Y. Williams
A historical exploration of the Black Power movement from the 1950s to the 1970s. It highlights the movement’s emphasis on racial pride, autonomy, and resistance to racial oppression. The book showcases the significant contributions of both everyday individuals and prominent figures, particularly women activists, to the movement. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the roots and evolution of Black Power politics for those interested in the history of black liberation.
ISBN: 9780415801423
Publication Date: 2014
Gotham Unbound by Ted Steinberg
The recipient of the 2015 PROSE Award for US History, this book offers an enthralling and comprehensive history of New York City, viewed through an ecological perspective. This acclaimed work by Ted Steinberg chronicles the transformation of vast marshlands into a bustling metropolis, now home to six percent of America's populace. Steinberg revives the bygone era of New York, not merely as a colossal urban entity but as a rich estuary teeming with natural life, from oyster reefs to wolves.
ISBN: 9781476741246
Publication Date: 2014
A Versatile American Institution by David C. Hammack; Helmut K. Anheier
Provides a comprehensive historical account of American grantmaking foundations. Despite financial and economic crises, these foundations have grown significantly, enjoying freedom, legitimacy, and influence. While philanthropic foundations exist globally, the U.S. sector stands out due to its prominence and autonomy. The book explores their contributions to American society and considers their future within the context of their times, economic conditions, and political landscape.
ISBN: 9780815721949
Publication Date: 2013
London by John Broich
In the nineteenth century, as British cities faced overcrowding, industrial and biological waste byproducts led to recurring epidemics, resulting in thousands of deaths. Influential figures like Edwin Chadwick and John Snow advocated for life-saving measures to preserve society. The prevailing solution was the novel idea that British towns should establish public water supplies, replacing private companies. However, this idea was not initially obvious or inevitable.
ISBN: 9780822944270
Publication Date: 2013
From the Molecular World by Alan J. Rocke; Hermann Kopp (As told to)
Hermann Kopp (1817-1892) is best remembered today as a historian of chemistry, but during his lifetime he was one of the most eminent chemists of his day, and one of the earliest pioneers of physical chemistry. Late in his career he wrote an endearing fantasy about personified molecules; Published in 1882, Aus der Molecular-Welt (From the Molecular World) portrayed the intimate details of what might actually be happening in the sub-microscopic world.
ISBN: 9783642274152
Publication Date: 2012
Hotel Dreams: Luxury, Technology, and Urban Ambition in America, 1829-1929 by Molly W. Berger
The book delves into how hotels, with their grandeur and technological advancements, have come to symbolize the intricate relationship between luxury, economic progress, and democratic ideals. Berger examines iconic hotels like Boston’s Tremont, San Francisco’s Palace, and Chicago’s Stevens, showcasing how these establishments have become emblematic of cultural and urban development.
ISBN: 9780801899874
Publication Date: 2011
Captives and Corsairs by Gillian Lee Weiss
Revisits the largely overlooked history of three centuries of Muslim corsair raids on French vessels and the subsequent captivity of French individuals in North Africa. The book also shows how the liberation of these captives, initially seen as Christian charity, became a means of state-building and justification for imperial expansion, influencing France’s self-perception and policies towards the Muslim world.
ISBN: 9780804770002
Publication Date: 2011
Image and Reality by Alan J. Rocke
Alan Rocke’s book, “Image and Reality,” zeroes in on the community of organic chemists in Germany, shedding light on the nature of scientific creativity. Rocke argues that mental images played a crucial role for these scientists, aiding them in solving old problems and exploring new ideas. Drawing from private correspondence, diagrams, scientific papers, and public statements, he investigates their ability to envision the minuscule atoms and molecules they worked with daily. These mental images, along with paper tools depicting “chemical structures,” eventually became integral to the field of chemistry.
ISBN: 9780226723327
Publication Date: 2010
Urban Modernity by Miriam R. Levin; Sophie Forgan; Martina Hessler; Robert H. Kargon; Morris Low
Explores how urban elites, through new institutions like international expositions and museums, countered the instability brought by industrialization and shaped a vision of continuous scientific progress. The book looks at the transformation of major cities like Paris, London, Chicago, Berlin, and Tokyo between 1870 and 1930, highlighting how each city uniquely integrated science and technology into its urban fabric and culture.
ISBN: 9780262013987
Publication Date: 2010
Dissection by John Harley Warner; James M. Edmonson
Uncovers a hidden aspect of American history from the 19th to the 20th century, when medical students secretly photographed themselves with the cadavers they dissected—their first patients.
ISBN: 9780922233342
Publication Date: 2009
Myths of Harmony by Marixa Lasso
This book centers on a foundational moment for Latin American racial constructs. While most contemporary scholarship has focused on explaining racial tolerance or its lack in the colonial period, Marixa Lasso argues that the key to understanding the origins of modern race relations originates during the Age of Revolution.
ISBN: 9780822943112
Publication Date: 2007
African Slavery in Latin America and the Caribbean by Herbert S. Klein; Ben Vinson III
Provides a comprehensive survey of the economic and social history of slavery in Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on regions influenced by Portuguese, Spanish, and French colonization. It examines the latest research on both urban and rural slavery and the experiences of Africans and Afro-Americans within these systems.
ISBN: 0195189426
Publication Date: 2007
American Green by Ted Steinberg
Explores the complex relationship Americans have with their lawns. The book details the transformation of the American landscape through the rise of the perfect lawn, now a major “crop” in the country. Steinberg’s narrative spans from the postwar suburbs to modern-day obsessions with lawn care, highlighting both the quirky and hazardous aspects of this pursuit.
ISBN: 0393060845
Publication Date: 2006
The Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts 25 by Molly W. Berger (Editor)
he award-winning volume from the Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Arts delves into the evolution of the grand American hotel, examining its role as a cultural and social hub. The collection features ten essays that explore the architectural and design ingenuity behind iconic hotels from the Gilded Age to the 1950s
ISBN: 1930776179
Publication Date: 2005
Defining Women's Scientific Enterprise by Miriam R. Levin
Reevaluates the role of women in science through the lens of Mount Holyoke College. The book examines how religion, gender, and pedagogy intersected to create a unique scientific culture and teaching approach, offering a compelling alternative to the research university model. 📚🔬🎓
ISBN: 1584654198
Publication Date: 2004
From Cotton Mill to Business Empire by Elisabeth Köll; Elisabeth Köll
The author examines the growth of regional enterprises, particularly the Dasheng Cotton Mill, from the late 19th century until the foundation of the People’s Republic in 1949, focusing on the legal and managerial evolution of limited-liability firms.
The author examines the growth of regional enterprises, particularly the Dasheng Cotton Mill, from the late 19th century until the foundation of the People’s Republic in 1949, focusing on the legal and managerial evolution of limited-liability firms.
ISBN: 0674013948
Publication Date: 2004
Jews in Post-Holocaust Germany, 1945-1953 by Jay Howard Geller
This is the story of the re-emergence of the Jewish community in Germany after its near-total destruction during the Holocaust. In Western Germany, the community needed to overcome deep cultural, religious, and political differences before uniting. In Eastern Germany, the small Jewish community struggled against communist opposition.
ISBN: 0521833531
Publication Date: 2004
From Cotton Mill to Business Empire by Elisabeth Köll
In tracing the development under founder Zhang Jian (1853-1926) and his successors of the Dasheng Cotton Mill in Nantong into a business group encompassing, among other concerns, cotton, flour, and oil mills, land development companies, and shipping firms, the author documents the growth of regional enterprises as local business empires from the 1890s until the foundation of the People's Republic in 1949.
ISBN: 0674013948
Publication Date: 2004
Performing Menken by Renée M. Sentilles
Uses the life experiences of controversial actress and poet Adah Isaacs Menken to examine the culture of the Civil War period. Menken portrayed herself as both respectable and daring, claiming for herself various (differing) racial and ethnic identities.
ISBN: 0521820707
Publication Date: 2003
Down to Earth by Ted Steinberg
A compelling history that positions the environment at the heart of America’s development. Steinberg traces the environmental underpinnings of key historical events, from the California Gold Rush to the commodification of natural resources. He argues that understanding our environmental past is crucial to understanding America’s identity and future.
ISBN: 0195140095
Publication Date: 2002
Acts of God by Ted Steinberg
Sheds light on the unnatural history of natural calamities in the United States and serves as a call to action, urging us to address these issues before the next disaster strikes.
ISBN: 0195142632
Publication Date: 2000
Cultures of Control by Miriam R. Levin (Editor)
Considers the moral, political, and economic consequences of control technologies, and looks back to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to establish continuities in the twentieth century as a transatlantic phenomenon.
ISBN: 9058230139
Publication Date: 2000
Nationalizing Science: Adolphe Wurtz and the Battle for French Chemistry by Alan J. Rocke
Adolphe Wurtz, a French chemist with a global perspective, was pivotal in merging German scientific ideas into French academia. Educated under Justus Liebig and Jean-Baptiste Dumas, Wurtz's career in Paris was marked by his advocacy for "reformed chemistry," a concept he tirelessly promoted despite political and material challenges. His efforts, set against the backdrop of rivalry and debate within the scientific community, highlight the evolving nature of science in the 19th century and the distinct paths taken by French and German chemistry.
ISBN: 0262182041
Publication Date: 2000
The Female Marine and Related Works by Daniel A. Cohen (Editor)
A fictional cross-dressing trilogy originally published between 1815 and 1818, The Female Marine is joined by three other contemporary accounts of cross-dressing and urban vice which provide a portrayal of prostitution and interracial life in early 19th-century America.
ISBN: 1558491236
Publication Date: 1998
The Quiet Revolution: Hermann Kolbe and the Science of Organic Chemistry by Alan J. Rocke
Hermann Kolbe, a prominent organic chemist, played a key role in the evolution of science during a period when Germany was ascending to global prominence. This biography details how Kolbe significantly influenced the development of the physical sciences and the expansion of pure sciences, particularly around 1860 when organic chemistry became a pivotal field.
ISBN: 0520081102
Publication Date: 1993
Pillars of Salt, Monuments of Grace by Daniel A. Cohen
Through the systematic study of hundreds of early books, pamphlets, and broadsides, Cohen traces the declining authority of Puritan ministers and Calvinistic notions of sin and their replacement by a romantic, pluralistic literary marketplace where new professionals--lawyers, journalists, and even fiction writers--served as leading cultural arbiters.
ISBN: 0195075846
Publication Date: 1993
Chemical Atomism in the Nineteenth Century by Alan J. Rocke
Summarizes primary sources and existing scholarly work on Dalton's atomic theory and the system of chemical equivalents used during the first half of the nineteenth century. Rocke demonstrates that early nineteenth-century chemists made a practical and ontological distinction between chemical and physical atoms.
ISBN: 0814203604
Publication Date: 1984
Local Histories: On and About Cleveland
Cleveland Jews and the Making of a Midwestern Community by John J. Grabowski (Editor)
This book adds to an emerging subfield in American Jewish history that moves away from the East Coast to explore Jewish life across the United States, in cities including Chicago and Detroit, and across regions like the West Coast. Cleveland's Jews in the Urban Midwest features ten diverse studies from prominent international scholars, addressing a wide range of subjects and ultimately enhancing our understanding of regional, urban, and Jewish American history. Focusing on the twentieth century specifically, the historians included in this collection address critical questions about Jewish Cleveland in the history of the United States.
ISBN: 1978809948
Publication Date: 2020
Flora Stone Mather by Gladys Haddad
This is the biography of one of Cleveland's leading philanthropists. born entrepreneur Amasa Stone and his wife, Julia. Stone, who settled on Cleveland's Euclid Avenue, earned his fortune in railroads and bridge building and was president and director of numerous railroads and other industrial and financial corporations.
ISBN: 9780873388993
Publication Date: 2007