Richard W. Etulain examines the emergence of Pacific Northwest prose beginning in the early nineteenth century up to the present. The book provides an introductory overview to a vast subject through "illuminative moments" that illustrate major shifts in the literary history of the region. The book's focus is on novels, histories, and other nonfiction works that trace Pacific Northwest prose in chronological order through three periods: the frontier, regional, and post-regional eras.

Etulain provides extensive coverage of the writings of notable authors, including novelists Frederic Homer Balch and Mary Hallock Foote, offering an understanding of frontier romantic and Local Color Writers. He also explores the works of H. G. Merriam and novelist H. L. Davis, illustrating regional prose writings. Finally, Etulain includes a panoply of writers who exemplify an emphasis on gender, race and ethnicity, and environmental texts from the post-WWII period.

Illuminative Moments in Pacific Northwest Prose delivers a first-time overview of the region's literary contributions that will interest both scholars and general readers alike.