Books From the 1870s: History's Best Sellers

Extra! Extra! On the home front and across the nation, 1870s saw a swell surge of swell Yankee ingenuity and home-front craftsmanship in the world of books! Leading the charge were mighty, top-selling marvels like The Hoosier Schoolmaster and Roughing It, capturing the public’s fancy in grand fashion. Distinguished creators from industry leaders like Edward Eggleston and Mark Twain proved their mettle with The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today, delivering craftsmanship that swept main street from coast to coast as genuine top-flight hits. Step right up and inspect our complete, rank-ordered historical archive below!

1. The Hoosier Schoolmaster

   Released in 1871 by Edward Eggleston, Scribner's Monthly, Charles Scribner's Sons

   Published as a book in 1871, 'The Hoosier Schoolmaster' holds immense historical significance as one of the earliest and most successful examples of American local color fiction. It captured a specific moment in American history, documenting the transition from rough-and-tumble frontier life to a more settled, yet still distinct, Midwestern identity in the years following the Civil War. Its immediate popularity not only launched Edward Eggleston's career but also validated a new literary approach that emphasized regional dialects, customs, and landscapes, thereby broadening the scope of American literature beyond the established centers of the East. The novel's authentic portrayal of rural Indiana life struck a chord with a nation grappling with its diverse regional identities, firmly establishing local color as a vital literary movement.

2. Roughing It

   Released in 1872 by Mark Twain, American Publishing Company

   Published in 1872, Mark Twain’s “Roughing It” holds immense historical significance as a seminal work chronicling the burgeoning American West during a pivotal era of expansion and resource discovery. This semi-autobiographical travelogue offered contemporary readers a vivid, often comedic, and surprisingly authentic glimpse into the wild reality of Nevada's silver rush and California's burgeoning society. It arrived at a time when the nation was captivated by the romance and harshness of the frontier, and Twain’s unique narrative voice made it an instant classic, helping to shape the public’s understanding of westward migration and the allure of untamed lands, solidifying his reputation as a master storyteller.

3. The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today

   Released in 1873 by Mark Twain, Charles Dudley Warner, American Publishing Company

   Published in 1873, "The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today" holds immense historical significance as a defining literary work for its era. It served as a trenchant critique of the unprecedented economic expansion and concomitant political corruption that marked the post-Civil War period in the United States. Its release perfectly coincided with a peak in rapid corporate growth, widespread graft, and burgeoning political cynicism, giving the American public a mirror to reflect upon their own society. The novel’s immediate impact was substantial, not only for its critical reception but also for providing a memorable descriptor—"The Gilded Age"—that historians still use to characterize the era, solidifying its place in American historical lexicon.

4. The Circuit Rider

   Released in 1874 by Edward Eggleston, J.B. Ford & Company

   “The Circuit Rider,” published in 1874, stands as a seminal work in American literary history, offering a vivid and idealized portrayal of the Methodist circuit riders who played a crucial role in the spiritual and social development of the American frontier. Appearing nearly a decade after the Civil War, the novel tapped into a national yearning for unifying narratives and a romanticized vision of the past. Its release in the mid-1870s coincided with a period of rapid industrialization and social change, prompting many Americans to look back at simpler, more heroic times. The book’s immediate and enduring popularity underscored its profound impact on shaping public perception of these itinerant preachers, immortalizing their arduous journeys and moral struggles in the collective consciousness as foundational figures of early American identity and expansion.

5. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures

   Released in 1875 by Mary Baker Eddy, W. F. Gillmore and Company

   Published in 1875, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" marked a pivotal moment in American religious history, introducing a completely unique spiritual movement that offered a radical alternative to prevailing medical and theological paradigms. In an era marked by burgeoning scientific advancements yet limited medical solutions for many ailments, Mary Baker Eddy's work proposed a system of divine healing rooted in spiritual understanding. Its release in 1875, amidst a cultural landscape seeking new forms of spiritual expression and personal empowerment, positioned it as a groundbreaking text that would spark both fervent devotion and intense controversy, shaping a distinct American faith.

6. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

   Released in 1876 by Mark Twain, Chatto & Windus, American Publishing Company

   Released in 1876, 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' emerged as a pivotal work in American literature, marking a departure from traditional moralistic children's tales and embracing a vibrant, realistic portrayal of boyhood. Its publication coincided with the nation's Centennial, offering a nostalgic look at a bygone era just as America reflected on its first century. This novel not only introduced readers to the iconic mischief and moral growth of its titular character but also served as a cultural touchstone, capturing the imagination of a generation and influencing countless authors who sought to define the American experience through youthful eyes. It provided a powerful narrative that resonated deeply with a society grappling with rapid change and a longing for simpler times, effectively shaping the contours of American identity and literary expression for decades to come.

7. Deephaven

   Released in 1877 by Sarah Orne Jewett, James R. Osgood and Company

   Published in 1877, "Deephaven" marked a significant moment in American literature by establishing Sarah Orne Jewett as a master of regionalism and an important voice in late 19th-century letters. At a time when America was rapidly industrializing and urbanizing, Jewett's collection of interconnected sketches offered readers a gentle, contemplative escape to a seemingly timeless coastal New England village. Its historical significance lies in its pioneering role in defining the 'local color' movement, portraying specific cultural landscapes and characters with deep affection and anthropological precision. The book's quiet celebration of tradition, community bonds, and the beauty of ordinary life provided a poignant counterpoint to the era's more sensational or grand narratives, solidifying its place as a classic.

8. American Colleges: Their Students and Work

   Released in 1878 by Charles Franklin Thwing, G. P. Putnam's Sons

   Charles Franklin Thwing's "American Colleges: Their Students and Work" holds profound historical significance as a direct commentary on the evolving landscape of higher education in the United States during 1878, a period of immense social and industrial change. Published amidst the Gilded Age, the book captured the institutional shifts away from the classical, denominational college model towards more diversified and research-oriented universities. It provided a crucial contemporary snapshot, detailing the challenges and innovations faced by American colleges as they grappled with increasing demand for practical knowledge, scientific inquiry, and specialized training. Its release marked a vital moment in the public discourse surrounding the purpose and future direction of American intellectual development, influencing educators and administrators alike.

9. Progress and Poverty

   Released in 1879 by Henry George, D. Appleton & Company

   Published in 1879, "Progress and Poverty" is a seminal work in American economic and social thought, directly addressing the profound disparities created by the rapidly industrializing Gilded Age. The book posed a crucial question: why, despite unprecedented technological progress and wealth creation, did poverty persist and even deepen for a large segment of society? George's articulate and accessible critique resonated deeply with a public grappling with labor unrest, economic depressions, and visible extremes of wealth and destitution, offering a compelling explanation and a surprisingly simple, yet radical, solution that captivated millions and influenced generations of reformers and thinkers.