A Retrospective Bibliography of American Demographic History from Colonial Times to 1983

Subjects:

• History » American History (General)

Awards:

• ALA/RASD History Section, Best Bibliographies in History, 1990

Reviews:

• This bibliography, the first of two volumes planned for the topic, is well done. It meets a clear need in a subject that has emerged in the last 25 years as an important field of study in the social sciences. The compilers, a librarian and a demographic historian, are well qualified. Wells has authored several books and articles on demographic history, and his work Revolutions in Americans' Lives provided the initial impetus for this bibliography. The 3,840 citations are arranged within subject headings that correspond to this earlier work. Some familiarity with demographic history is advisable before this bibliography can be used with full benefit. But the work is intended for a user group that will ordinarily have more than a casual interest in the subject. The book is attractively produced and the citations are easy to follow. Introductory explanations of subtopics preceding the corresponding citations enhance the volume's value. Subject, author, and geographic indexes further increase its utility. Books and articles, many from state and local publications normally hard to access, are included. A second volume will cover the wealth of material published since 1983. Should be acquired by libraries with strong collections in the social sciences.
  —Choice
• . . . The references are easy to access through a detailed table of contents as well as author and place indexes and a broad subject index. Since the bibliography is unique in its coverage of American historical demography, it will be welcomed by academic libraries.
  —ARBA

Table of Contents:

• Introduction and General Background
• Marriage and Fertility
• Health and Death
• Migration, Pluralism, and Local Patterns
• Family and Demographic History
• Population, Economics, Politics, and Society