A History of American Literature Since 1870

The book offers a sweeping overview of American letters from the post‑Civil War era onward, tracing how writers moved from imitation to a distinctly national voice. It organizes the century into three phases—the Knickerbocker, New England, and National periods—highlighting the cultural shift that followed the war’s upheaval. By framing these stages against broader social changes, the author shows how literature both reflected and shaped the evolving American identity.

Focusing on authors whose inaugural works appeared before 1892, the study examines their themes, stylistic experiments, and the forces that propelled them. It delves into the rise of regionalism, realism, and emerging modernist hints, while also noting the growing confidence of a literature born of its own soil. Detailed footnotes and contextual notes bring depth without overwhelming the listener.

Ideal for students, teachers, or anyone curious about the roots of contemporary U.S. writing, the narrative balances scholarly insight with an engaging, conversational tone. Listeners will come away with a clearer sense of why the decades between 1870 and 1890 are often regarded as a high point in America’s literary development.