New England: The Greenwood Encyclopedia of American Regional Cultures

(Hardback)

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Description

The New England states are home to many long and proud cultural traditions, including the practices of indigenous Northeast tribes, the legacy of Puritan settlers, the Portuguese coastal communities, Maine's Acadian population, and many other spheres of influence. The historical paintings of John Trumbull, the Cape Cod house, the locally set work of John Irving and Stephen King, Celtic and French-Canadian music, lobstermen and maple syrup culture, the Southy accent and the Curse of the Bambinoall these things and countless more have contributed to region's identity. Thirteen topical essays from leading scholars provide a detailed and fascinating overview of the cultures of New England. States include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The Greenwood Encyclopedia of American Regional Cultures is the first rigorous reference collection on the many ways in which American identity has been defined by its regions and its people. Each of its eight regional volumes presents thoroughly researched narrative chapters on Architecture; Art; Ecology & Environment; Ethnicity; Fashion; Film & Theater; Folklore; Food; Language; Literature; Music; Religion; and Sports & Recreation. Each book also includes a volume-specific introduction, as well as a series foreword by noted regional scholar and former National Endowment for the Humanities chairman William Ferris, who served as Consulting Editor for this encyclopedia.

Reviews

"This set provides a comprehensive view of America's regional history and culture.... This encyclopedia set provides a resource that is compatible with regional studies curricula. Highly recommended. All levels." - Choice, June 2005 "Exploring both history and culture, this resource offers a comprehensive view of our nation's diverse regions.... The narratives focus on distinctive U.S. regions, with subjects ranging from architecture, art, and ecology to fashion, folklore, food, language, literature, music, religion, and sports.... With interest in regionalism on the rise owing to increased literary and American studies programs, students conducting research on regional identities and cultural distinctiveness will be well served by the depth of coverage this set provides. Classroom teachers and library media specialists could also utilize it in their own research. Recommended for academic and larger public libraries." - Library Journal, March 15, 2005 "This reference set will be a great source for students in grade seven and up, especially for schools and public libraries where states and cultural heritage assignments are frequent and curriculum support is needed." - VOYA, June 2005"

Author Bio

MICHAEL SLETCHER hold a Ph.D. in history from the University of Cambridge, where he has taught colonial American history. He is Assistant Editor of the Benjamin Frankin Papers at Yale University and has published articles on colonial America and early modern Britain.