An anthology of essays, criticism and fiction first printed in the periodicals during the last remarkable years of the 19th century, a decade commonly referred to as the Golden Age of periodical culture. To depict the many changes taking place in the USA at this time, the editors have drawn from an eclectic range of periodicals: elite monthlies such as Scribner’s , Harper’s , and The Atlantic Monthly ; political magazines such as The North American Review and Forum ; magazines for general readers such as Cosmopolitan and McClures ; and specialized publications including the Chatauquan , Outing and Colored American Magazine . The authors represented include Andrew Carnegie, Edith Wharton, Theodore Roosevelt, Susan B. Anthony, Booker T. Washington, and Stephen Crane. A general introduction to the period, a brief contextualising essay for each selection, and a comprehensive bibliography of secondary sources are also provided.