I've been lurking on the list for six months or so, but the impending need to order texts for a Fall term undergraduate seminar on Twain brings me out of hiding. I suppose I should introduce myself first, though: an assistant professor in the English Department at Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, I teach a variety of upper-level American literature courses in addition to the usual complement of composition and surveys. My scholarly work has more or less centered on Henry James, but Twain is a burgeoning interest (counterweight?) and I first taught a Twain seminar a year ago, with generally good results all around. Which brings me to my question: The second time around I'd like to emphasize more than I did before the historical, social, and political context to the works. Any suggestions for a suitable, manageable, affordable, and in-print volume that gives a good overview of the Gilded Age without being superficial or too specialized? I made limited use of Robert Wiebe's THE SEARCH FOR ORDER but found it to be too much the interpretive essay. On the other hand, a textbook passed along by a colleague--Vincent De Santis's THE SHAPING OF MODERN AMERICA: 1877-1920--seems too much a mere compilation of names, dates, places, etc.. Feel free to respond either personally or on-list. Thanks in advance. Steve Jobe Hanover College