Western Carolina University

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Getting Started

Not sure about your topic? Need an overview or definition? These encyclopedias and dictionaries do a great job of defining key terms, explaining the historical context of an event, and establishing basic facts.

Dictionary of American History (10 volumes)
Covers all aspects of U.S. history. Expect the expected - segregation, the Cold War, the Salem Witch Trials - and the unexpected - automobile racing, organized crime, refrigeration. All articles are written by scholars and approach the topic from the perspective of American history. The recommended reading lists are invaluable.
REF E 174 .D52 2003

Encyclopedia of American Cultural & Intellectual History
It’s hard to describe the approach of this set, but researchers seeking the cultural or philosophical aspect of a topic would do well to look in this 3-volume set. Education, science, the arts, commerce - they’re all here. Written by scholars; includes annotated bibliographies.
REF E 169.1 .E624 2001

Oxford Reference Online: Premium Collection
Search over 30 history reference books from Oxford University Press: dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc. All full-text, keyword-searchable. An excellent source of basic facts, background information, and short lists of recommended reading.

Encyclopedia of Southern History
REF F 207.7 .E52

The Encyclopedia of the American Revolutionary War: a Political, Social, and Military History
REF E 208 .E64

Encyclopedia of the American Civil War: a Political, Social, and Military History
REF E 468 .H47 2000