This book investigates how the immense economic, social, and intellectual changes in America between 1865 and 1940 shaped its literary output, particularly the works of major and minor authors of the period.

Brian Lee's study is noted for its application of contemporary critical theories to the historical analysis of American fiction from a significant transitional period. By connecting literary works to broader societal shifts, the book offers a framework for understanding the era's literature within its dynamic context. The approach aims to provide a fresh perspective on well-scrutinized authors and their less-examined contemporaries.