A vital how-to for beginning scholars of Victorian and Edwardian literature, this guide presents 11 chapters, each devoted to navigating specific primary or secondary resources, from tips for constructive online searches to guidance in locating period serials. To facilitate understanding, Van Vuuren (English librarian, James Madison Univ.) incorporates screenshots of specific database portals. She also presents a significant chapter on strategies for researching underrecognized literary figures. An excellent appendix of general reference titles—divided into 12 segments and organized alphabetically by discipline—lists general reference titles for basic inquiries into loosely related fields, like music and social science.

Library Journal

Written by librarian Van Vuuren (James Madison Univ.), this guide for exploring the Victorian and Edwardian eras "introduces students and scholars alike to resources and research methods, both traditional and new." In ten chapters, following the series format, the author discusses and evaluates the basics of online searching; general literary reference sources; the use of library catalogs; print and electronic bibliographies, indexes, and annual reviews; scholarly journals; contemporary reviews and literary magazines; period journals and newspapers; microforms and digital collections; manuscripts and archives; and Web resources. A case study titled "Researching a Thorny Problem" puts into actual practice the use of resources analyzed in the book. Thoughtfully presented and well written, this work focuses on research strategies and methodology, recommends best tools for conducting specialized literary research, and discusses how the tools relate to each other—identifying the strengths, weaknesses, and quirks of individual sources. An appendix of resources in related disciplines, organized alphabetically by discipline, concludes this excellent work. This is an indispensable resource for research in the field. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, faculty/researchers, and humanities/literature reference librarians.

Choice Reviews

Beginning graduate students who wish to embark on studies of this kind will benefit from Melissa S. Van Vuuren's helpful Literary Research and the Victorian and Edwardian Ages, 1830-1910: Strategies and Sources, which provides an excellent guide to navigate the burgeoning printed and online reference sources in the field.

American Behavioral Scientist

Melissa S. Van Vuuren writes in an approachable and jargon free way and shows researchers in Victorian and Edwardian Literature the profitable routes they can take in their demanding but deeply rewarding investigations.

Reference Reviews