RESEARCH BIBLIOGRAPHY (c1993) collected by Roberta Gellis A bibliography is a list of books. Most often it is a list of those books used as reference sources to support a scholarly work. In this case, it is provided as a very limited, basic guide to sources that might be useful to the writer of historical fiction. I have divided this bibliography into ten sections: Books That Tell You Where and How to Look Books That List Reference Books Bibliographies Dictionaries Encyclopedias Maps and Atlases Guides to Periodical Literature Series Books on History Biographical Sources Books on How People Lived In all cases, the books mentioned are only a bare sampling of those available. They may not even be the best books on the subject. Your library may not have the particular books I mention; however, if you know such books exist and ask for them, the librarian may be able to suggest substitutes or more ade- quate sources. The important thing is to know that whatever subject you happen to be interested in, someone else was almost certainly also interested and has written and published information on that subject. Within the sections, unless specifically stated in that section, the books are not listed in any particular order. Since the sections are short and my time limited, I just noted them as I remembered them or as I came across them in the sources I myself used to prepare this bibliography. For those who have a computer and a modem, information can be retrieved from many electronic research sources (see the most recent books on research in the following section, which give directories for computer searches and a listing of information retrieval services.) Data retrieval services also advertise in many computer journals; if you write or call they will gladly send you brochures that detail their services. BOOKS THAT TELL YOU WHERE AND HOW TO LOOK (This is a very limited selection, simply those I know and have used.) Barzun, Jacques, and Henry Graff: Modern Researcher. New York, 1985. Berkman, Robert I.: Find It Fast. Harper & Row, New York, 1987. Clark, B. (ed.): Writer's Research Guide. Cincinnati, 1983. Arranged by subject. Covers sources other than books. Better for comtemporary than historical research. Cook, M. G.: The New Library Key, New York, H. W. Wilson, 1975. Explains library catalogs and classifications systems and how to use them; provides lists of general and special reference books with brief descriptions of contents. Fenner, P., and Armstrong, M.C.: Research: A Practical Guide to Finding Information. Kaufman, Los Altos, CA, 1981. Explains library techniques and how to do a literature search as well as data handling procedure for computers. Gates, J. K.: Guide to the Use of Books and Libraries, New York, McGraw-Hill, 3rd ed., 1974. Horowitz, Lois: Writer's Guide to Research: New York, 1986. Slight but handy. Morse, G. W.: Concise Guide to Library Research, New York, Fleet Academic Editions, 2nd ed., 1975. An extensive list of reference works, listed by subject; comparisons of what is best covered by standard reference works, such as almanacs and encyclopedias. Todd, Alden: Finding Facts Fast, New York, Morrow, 1972. (Now also in paperback, $3.50) Old but probably worth having. A useful all-around source, not nearly so detailed for library work but of wider scope in suggesting sources other than libraries. BOOKS THAT LIST REFERENCE BOOKS Reference Books: A Brief Guide, Baltimore, Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD 21201-4484. You can own this one yourself, current price $5.00. Write to the Publications Department, enclosing payment. Winchell, C. M.: Guide to Reference Books, Chicago, American Library Association, various editions and supplements. Lists books by subject with brief descriptions of content; concentrates on American books. Walford, A. J.: The Guide to Reference Material, London, The Library Association, various editions and supplements. Like Winchell, above, but concentrates on British books. Poulton, H. J.: The Historian's Handbook: A Descriptive Guide to Reference Works, Norman, OK, University of Oklahoma Press. BIBLIOGRAPHIES (Bibliographies list books in a particular subject. There are many bibliographies; therefore, several bibliographies of bibliographies have been published. Two of these will be listed before those subject bibliographies likely to be useful to a historical novelist. This list is far from exhaustive. There are many useful bibliographies not listed.) The Bibliographical Index, New York, Wilson, 1937-to date. Lists bibliographies in books, pamphlets, and periodicals. Besterman, T.: World Bibliography of Bibliographies, various editions and publishers. Most comprehensive. Books listed by subject. Beers, H. P.: Bibliographies in American History, New York, Pageant Books, 1960. Has monographs and manuscript material. Bibliography of British History, Oxford, Oxford University Press 1928-...., Vol. 1, Tudor period; Vol. 2, Stuart period; Vol. 3, 18th century (possibly other volumes by now). Biographical Dictionaries and Related Works: A Bibliography, Detroit, Gale Research Co,. 1967. Covers 19th and 20th century publications. Guide to Archives and Manuscripts in the United States (P. M. Hammer, ed.), New Haven, Yale University Press, 1960. Guide to Historical Literature, American Historical Association,New York, Macmillan, 1961 Writings on British History (A. T. Milne, ed.), New York, Barnes& Noble, 1937-1961. DICTIONARIES (Dictionaries are not only for definitions of words. There are dictionaries on every conceivable--and some inconceivable--subjects. A few of those most likely to be useful to the historical novelist are listed.) First are "language" dictionaries; these also contain a wide variety of factual material. If you want to know the date of an important person's birth or death, when a word was first used, simple facts about flags or coinage, the date of a saint's day, etc.--look it up first in the dictionary; you will often save time. Many of the dictionaries listed are available on CD ROM disks. Webster's International Dictionary of the English Language. I prefer the 2nd ed. (and you can get it new for about $20). Separate biographical and geographical lists. Funk & Wagnalls New Standard Dictionary of the English Language. Biographical and geographical information included in alphabetical listings. The Oxford English Dictionary, 12 volumes and supplements. This is best for etymology (where a word comes from) and when it was first used. There is an abridged one-volume edi tion, which I find useful; there is also an unabridged two-volume edition, with which a magnifying glass is provided. I go to the library and use the 12-volume edition. The full dictionary now can be obtained on CD ROM, but it is very expensive. Shorter versions may be available. The following list is of "special" dictionaries that might prove useful. There are many, many others, and the ones I list might not be best for your purposes. Check the index of the books mentioned in the first section or ask the research librarian if you want a dictionary on a special subject. Roget's Thesaurus. Many editions, publishers, and editors. This is the classic work for synonyms and has been published in dictionary form as well as the earlier style. Spears, R. A.: Slang and Euphemism: A Dictionary, New York, Jonathan David Publishers, 1981; New York, Signet Books, New American Library, 1982. The paperback is an abridged edition but very useful, providing many synonyms and dates of usage. Wentworth, H., and Flexner, S. B.: Dictionary of American Slang, New York, Crowell, 1967. Dates slang. Partridge, E.: Today and Yesterday, London, Routledge; New York, Barnes & Noble. Various editions. London slang. Grose, F.: A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (originally published 1796; edited and with commentaries by Eric Partridge), Barnes & Noble, 1963. Date of original publication says all that is necessary. Partridge, E.: A Dictionary of the Underworld, New York, Bonanza Books, 1961. Argot of British and American criminals. Keller, H. R.: Dictionary of Dates, New York, Macmillan, 1934. Not in print; arranged by countries from antiquity to '30s Putnam, G. P.: Putnam;s Dictionary of Events, New York, Grosset, 1936. Arrangement chronological and parallel. Steinberg, S. H.: Historical Tables, New York, St. Martin's Press. I have not seen these. Webster's Biographical Dictionary. Contains upward of 40,000 short entries of a biographical nature. Webster's Geographical Dictionary. Similar to the biographical dictionary for geography. Eggenberger, D.: Dictionary of Battles, New York, Crowell, 1967. Lists battles and wars by countries and chronologically. Dictionary of American History (James Truslow Adams, ed.), New York, Scribner, 1942, 6 vols. There is a one-volume abridgement. This lacks the biographical sketches. Dictionary of Comparative Religion, New York, Scribner. I have not used this. My source says "compact, covering both living and dead religions." Jobes, G.: Dictionary of Mythology, Folklore, and Symbols, New York, Scarecrow Press, 1961-63, 3 vols. All cultures, religions, and civilizations from earliest recorded history to the present. ENCYCLOPEDIAS (Encyclopedias are almost as various as dictionaries. Only a few of the many available are listed here. More extensive listings can be found by consulting the "Books That Tell You Where to Look.") Encyclopedia Britannica. For the purposes of the historical novelist, the llth ed. is best as it concentrates on biography, history, and geography more than on scientific subjects. The 9th ed. is also recommended. The current edition is the 16th. Encyclopedia Americana. This is an excellent encyclopedia but it has the faults of the newer Britannica in concentrating more on science and technology; however, it has biographical material on American historical personages and a very good costume section. Encyclopedia of World History (W. L. Langer, ed.), Boston, Houghton Mifflin, 1972. From prehistory to early '70s. Larousse Encyclopedia of Ancient and Medieval History (M. Dunan, ed.), New York, Harper, 1963. Not familiar with this one. Encyclopedia of Military History, New York, Harper, 1970. Covers 3500 B.C. to present; arranged chronologically and geographically. Encyclopedia of American History, New York, Harper, 1970. I have not used this, but my source says "Very good treatment. Comprehensive and authoritative." Hastings, J: Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, New York, Scribner, 1908-27, 13 vols. Excellent general reference. For particular information on religion, there are encyclopedias devoted to each well-known faith. MAPS AND ATLASES (An extremely limited listing of general works only. There are atlases on almost all special areas.) Atlas of World History, Chicago, Rand McNally, 1961. Available in paperback. Shepherd, W. R.: Historical Atlas, New York, Barnes & Noble, 1964. Muir's Historical Atlas: Ancient, Medieval and Modern (R. F. Treharne and H. Fuller, eds.), New York, Barnes & Noble, 1956, 1962. This is in two separate volumes: Atlas of Ancient and Classical History, 2nd ed, 1956, and Historical Atlas, Medieval and Modern, 9th ed., 1962. McEvedy, C.: Penguin Atlas of Ancient History and Penguin Atlas of Medieval History, New York, Penguin Books, 1961 (many reprints; still in print). Paperback and reasonable. Look hard for the first edition (Dutton, 1908); you won't believe the maps and descriptions. GUIDES TO PERIODICAL LITERATURE (I list only two guides that deal with articles written before 1900. A guide to modern periodical literature is available in nearly every library.) Nineteenth Century Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, New York, Wilson. Not complete. Intended to cover all articles from 1801-1899; in 1983 only 1880-99 was in print and covered mostly literary articles. Poole's Index to Periodical Literature, reprinted by Peter Smith 1958. Best guide. Covers 450 periodicals from 1802-1907. SERIES BOOKS ON HISTORY (I list here only the series name. Each series contains many volumes by individual authors. Each volume is by an authoritative scholar, or scholars, in the particular period it covers and will provide a reliable and detailed study of political and social events.) The Oxford History of England, Oxford, Clarendon, 14 vols. This series is concerned with England, world history being dealt with only incidentally. The Cambridge Ancient History, Cambridge, England, Cambridge University Press, 12 vols. and 5 vols. plates. Covers world history from prehistoric times to about 350 A.D. The Cambridge Medieval History, as above, 8 vols. There is a condensation of this work in 2 vols. World history from 350 A.D. to about 1500. The New Cambridge Modern History, as above, 13 vols. and atlas. World history 1493-1945. Arsky, L., Pries, N., and Reed, M.: American Diaries, Detroit, 1983. Vol. l: 2500 published diaries written between 1492-1844. Vol. 2 (not yet published): diaries between 1845-1980. List of contents annotated and arranged chronologically; subject and geographical indexes. (Reference courtesy Hertha Schulze; not used by me.) The American Nation (A. B. Hart, ed.), New York, Harper, 1904-1918, 28 vols. Ends before beginning of World War I. The New American Nation (H. S. Commager and R. B. Morris eds.), New York, Harpers, 1954-... Not complete. To be 40 vols. (I am not familiar with either series on American history--not my field--but I am told the "New" series does not replace but complements the older one.) BIOGRAPHICAL SOURCES (I list only biographical sources dealing with historical personages; that is, those who are dead.) Dictionary of American Biography, 20 vols. and supplements. Biographical sketches of historical American personages; the length of the biography roughly corresponds to the importance of the individual. Dictionary of National Biography, 21 vols. and supplements. As above for British personages. Who's Who in History, New York, Barnes & Noble, 5 vols. British history. I have not seen this; use the DNB if you can. Biographical and Genealogy Master Index, 5 vols. (I don't know what this is, have never used it; saw it in a bibliography and thought it might be useful.) (I have no similar sources for French and other historical persons; usually such biographical sources are in the language of the nation.) BOOKS ON HOW PEOPLE LIVED (I list only two series. There are many, many specific books on each period and each country.) The Everyday Life Series, London, B. T. Batsford; New York, G. P. Putnam's. Like series books on history, this series consists of many volumes by different authors. In general this is the most useful group of books I have come across for the historical novelist although they are written for "young readers." The books give details of customs, costumes, food, and level of technology (that is, whether the people had horses, saddles for them, whether the wheel had been yet invented in this particular society, etc.). Each volume varies in arrangement and period of time covered. Specific volumes cover life in prehistoric times, ancient Egypt, Babylonia and Assyria, ancient Greece, Imperial China, Rome, Britain at all time periods, etc. Scott, A. F.: Everyone a Witness Series, New York, Crowell. These books are anthologies of quotations from various sources written in the period defined by the title of the individual volume. The subjects of the extracts cover everything from brief biographies and descriptions of royal personages to every aspect of daily life, such as towns, wages, sports, law and crime, the arts, education, etc. Individual volumes are titled, The Plantagenet Age, The Tudor Age, The Stuart Age, The Norman Age, The Edwardian Age. A few books on costume and food will be listed also for those who are curious or would like more details. The list here is very limited. Many books on each subject are available. COSTUME Hiler, H.: Bibliography of Costume, Continental, 1939. I have not used this work, but bibliographies are always useful. Costume Index, New York, Wilson, 1937, 1957. Locates plates pictures of costumes in books; covers almost all historical periods and all nations. Wilcox, R. T.: Dictionary of Costume, New York, Scribner, 1969. Yarwood, D.: Encyclopedia of World Costume, New York, Bonanza Books (reprint of 1978 edition by Scribner). References in alphabetical order rather than chronological order; i.e. hat gives history and several pages of illustrations; useful if you know the name of an item and are not sure when it appeared. Index gives cross-references. Sichel, M.: Costume Reference, Boston, Plays, Inc., 1977, 7 vols. British costume only; slim volumes but excellent. Hope, Thomas: Costumes of the Greeks and Romans, New York, Dover Publications, Inc. (n.d.) Davenport, M.: The Book of Costume, New York, Crown, 1948, 2 vols. All illustrations are reproductions of sculpture or paintings and sometimes difficult to make out. The text is very detailed. Laver, J.: Costume Through the Ages, New York, Simon & Schuster, 1963. Essentially a picture book, black and white; no text. Braun and Schneider: Historic Costume in Pictures, New York, Dover Publications. Another black and white picture book, but the illustrations are clear and detailed, better than Laver. Can be ordered from Dover ($7.50), so you can have this one at home. Yarwood, D.: European Costume, New York, Larousse, 1975. Useful but not very detailed. Mansfield, A.: Ceremonial Costumes, (sorry I lost the complete reference). English ceremonial dress from 1660 to 20th cent. Worrell, E. A.: Early American Costume, Harrisburg, Pa., Stackpole Books, 1975. Covers 1580-1850; illustrations drawn and accompanied directly by limited text. Norman, A. V. B., and Don Pottinger: English Weapons & Warfare 449-1660, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1979. Terse but accurate with simple, clear illustrations for English medieval arms and armor. Men-at-Arms Series, London, Osprey Publishing, various dates. There are over 100 of these slim volumes, which detail the arms and armor of many periods and many countries. For example, Byzantine and Samurai warriors are described as are the uniforms of many individual units during the Napoleonic wars. FOOD AND DRINK I have never seen the first two books, but they were the only general references I could find in English. The others are books I have used because they were available, not because they were most complete or best. Bitting, K. G.: Gastronomic Bibliography, San Francisco, 1939. Food and Drink Through the Ages, London, Maggs Bros., catalog of books on this subject through 1937. Pullar, P.: Consuming Passions, Boston, Little, Brown, 1970. A violently caustic history of food and eating habits from Roman times to the present. Ms Pullar doesn't like anyone but the book has lots of information; it may give you high blood pressure, but it's fun to read. Clair, C.: Kitchen and Table, New York, Abelard-Schuman, 1965. Covers primitive to Victorian times with special sections on table settings, drinking vessels, the evolution of the kitchen, and four notable cooks. Quayle, E.: Old Cook Books, New York, Dutton, 1978. Many illustrations and actual recipes. Tannahill, Reay: Food in History, New York, Stein & Day, 1973. A broad study of how food affected history and how history affected food. Berriedale-Johnson, Michelle: The British Museum Cookbook, London, British Museum Publications, Ltd., 1987. Recipies from several ancient societies as well as different periods in England. Brief but interesting introductions to each place and period. Black, Maggie: The Medieval Cookbook, New York, Thames and Hudson, 1992. Nice color plates of medieval kitchens and banquets. Divided into periods. Cosman, M. P.: Fabulous Feasts: Medieval Cookery and Ceremony, New York, 1976, George Braziller. Exquisite color plates, good text, but rather expensive ($25). Sass, L. J.: To the King's Taste: Richard II's Book of Feasts and Recipies. You can make these if you like; they are translated and adapted for modern cooking, but the old recipies and language (with explanations) are given too. Driver, C., and M. Berriedale-Johnson: Pepys at Table, Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1984, University of California Press. A complete and utter delight. Little extracts from Pepys diary, songs, delightful comments and illustrations. A must for anyone with an interest in the 17th century. Simmons, Amelia: American Cookery, 1796. Published as The First American Cookbook, a facsimile copy, New York, 1958, Oxford University Press, reprinted by Dover Books, in 1984. The original date says it all; it's a little hard to read because of the long esses, but it's fun, and there is an interesting introduction with a good bibliography by Mary Tolford Wilson. Kuper, J. (ed.): The Anthropologists' Cookbook, New York, Universe, 1977. Not a historical text, but it does contain recipes from areas seldom included in ordinary cookbooks and using unusual ingredients, such as puffins, wild greens, and dogs. Each chapter has an introductory text, which gives a brief glance at eating habits in odd places. LIBRARIES AND SPECIAL LIBRARIES American Library Directory, an annual publication by Bowker. Directory of Special Libraries and Information Centers, 3rd ed. 1974, 3 vols., Gale. Subject Collections: A Guide to Special Libraries, 4th ed., 1974, Bowker. World Guide to Libraries, 4th ed., 2 vols., 1974, Bowker. (There are now more recent editions of most of the above books, and these are likely to be available in your library.)