The American Realism and Naturalism literary period lasted from roughly 1861 to 1914. It was characterized by its response to the political, economic, and technological changes that transformed the nation during the Civil War and postbellum years. Some of the most well-known authors in American history wrote during this time, including Mark Twain, Henry James, Edith Wharton, Charles W. Chesnutt, and Upton Sinclair.

Literary Research and the American Realism and Naturalism Period: Strategies and Sources will help those interested in researching this era. Authors Linda L. Stein and Peter J. Lehu emphasize research methodology and outline the best practices for the research process, paying attention to the unique challenges inherent in conducting studies of national literature. Each chapter covers a different type of resource: general and literary reference books, library catalogs, print and online bibliographies, scholarly journals, publishing history sources, contemporary journals and newspapers, microform and digital collections, manuscript and archival material, and websites. The book offers a coherent account of how contemporary research skills and resources can complement one another in helping scholars effectively deal with typical challenges they encounter in their work.