Chronologies

In order to understand more fully any event, piece of art, work of literature, etc., it is helpful to consider the context in which it took place or was created. For example, in Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, the author draws influence from then-contemporary journalistic techniques, as well as the increasingly violent social milieu of mid-1960s America. To understand better your historical fiction topic, you may wish to consult sources such as those listed below. These and other chronologies look at historical events in a sequential fashion: by period, year, month, day, etc.

Day by Day
This series of books covers major events in daily increments for the following areas: World Affairs, Europe, Africa & the Middle East, The Americas, Asia & the Pacific, U.S. Politics & Social Issues, U.S. Foreign Policy & Defense, U.S. Economy & Government, Science, Technology & Nature, and Culture, Leisure & Life Style. Look here for short (one paragraph) summaries of important events taking place on a given day in 20 th century history.

Stevenson Library has the following books from the series, covering the decade listed in the title (all books can be found in the Reference Section on the main floor):

Day by Day: The Forties Call Number: D427 .L4
Day by Day: The Fifties Call Number: D842.5 .M47 1979
Day by Day: The Sixties Call Number: D840 .P27 1983
Day by Day: The Seventies Call Number: D848 .L4 1988
Day by Day: The Eighties Call Number: D848 .M45 1995

The Timetables of History: A Horizontal Linkage of People and Events
Call Number: D11.G78 1991 (located in the Reference Section on the main floor)

This publication examines human development from 5000BC to 1990AD. It constitutes a quick-reference guide to world events in the areas of: History, Politics; Literature, Theater; Religion, Philosophy, Learning; Visual Arts; Music; Science, Technology, Growth; and Daily Life. Although entries are brief, they are plentiful and informative; a great snapshot of human affairs at any given moment in history.

Calendar of Creative Man
Call Number: NX447.5 .P38 (located in the Reference Section on the main floor)

Much like The Timetables of History, this work provides brief glances at events across the range of human history. Although it covers historical episodes, as well as inventions and discoveries, the focus here is on developments in the arts and literature. The main categories: Literature, Dance & Drama, Music, Architecture, Three Dimensional Art, and Visual Arts. Entries are not only fact-oriented; they often contain brief commentaries on the significance of a particular event. The book also contains a significant amount of illustrations.

American Popular Culture Through History Series
(all books in this series can be found in the Reference Section on the main floor)

The New Nation Call Number: E164 .V53 2002
Westward Expansion Call Number: F593 .Q39 2002
The 1900s Call Number:E169.1 .B248 2002
The 1910s Call Number: E169.1 .B634 2002
The 1930s Call Number: E169.1 .Y59 2002

Although each book in the series contains a brief chronological look at events in pop culture for the specified period, the authors concentrate on the broader picture. That is, they comment on how certain events and developments influenced the cultural mindset. All books in the series contain the same basic chapter layout:

Part One Life and Youth (during the time period covered)

• Everyday America
• World of Youth

Part Two Popular Culture (of the time period covered)

• Advertising
• Architecture
• Fashion
• Food
• Leisure Activities
• Literature
• Music
• Performing Arts
• Travel
• Visual Arts

Costs of Products

Chronology of European History: 15,000 B.C. to 1997
Call Number: D11 .C57 1997 (located in the Reference Section on the main floor)

This three volume set traces human history from ancient cave paintings in what is current day France to the NATO/Russia Cooperation Pact of 1997. Admittedly a grand task to cover 17,000 years of history in three small volumes, the authors nevertheless succeed in conveying major events shaping the course of human civilization. Read chronologically, the work aids in understanding historic episodes in light of what else was happening in the same time period.

Other suggested sources:

Famous First Facts
Call Number: AG5 .A69 2000

Asimov’s Chronology of the World
Call Number: D11 .A76 1991

Chronology of the Modern World: 1763 to the Present Time
Call Number: D11.5 .W5 1967

What Happened When: A Noted Researcher’s Almanac of Yesterdays
Call Number: D11.5 .M57 1966

Great Events from History Series  

GE150.G72 1995
Great Events from History II: Ecology and the Environment Series. Edited by Frank N. Magill. Pasadena, California: Salem Press, 1995.

K3240.6.G74 1992
Great Events from History II: Human Rights Series. Edited by Frank N. Magill. Pasadena, California: Salem Press, 1992.

NX456 .G72 1993
Great Events from History II: Arts and Culture Series. Edited by Frank N. Magill. Pasadena, California: Salem Press, 1993.

Q125. G825 1991
Great Events from History II: Science and Technology Series. Edited by Frank N. Magill. Pasadena, California: Salem Press, 1991.