Background Reading
Background reading is an essential starting point to any research project. The purpose of background reading is to get an overview of your topic, and to begin to become acquainted with the key terms, names, and events associated with your topic.
Find and read an article in a subject-specific reference book or eReference database. The Berntsen Library collects reference books in both print and online formats. (*Note: Reference books are considered tertiary sources and are not typically referred to or cited in research papers.)
Use the eReference databases listed below to find background articles about your topic.
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Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
Credo reference delivers full-text entries as well as images, audio files and videos.
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CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowCQ Researcher provides in-depth coverage of current issues. The reports are written by experienced journalists, footnoted and professionally fact-checked.
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Points of View Reference Center This link opens in a new window
Pro vs. con essays that present multiple sides of current or controversial issues. Plus magazine and newspaper articles, primary sources, and more related to those issues.
Reference Books for Background Reading
These subject-specific reference books are available at the Berntsen Library. They are worth a trip to the library in order to get a concise, authoritative overview of your History topic as you begin your research. This list represents just a sampling of the many print reference books available at the Berntsen Library. Search Library Search, the library's catalog, or browse the 900s section of the Reference collection to find more history reference books.
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Encyclopedia of ancient Egypt
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Call Number: Northwestern Reference 932.003 B885 & OnlineISBN: 0816045631". . . the first single-volume reference to this extraordinary culture, bringing together a wealth of information. . . on all aspects of ancient Egypt, from its rulers, gods and goddesses, and cities to artistic themes, religious beliefs, writing, and daily life." -
Ancient Europe 8000 B.C.--A.D. 1000: Encyclopedia of the Barbarian world
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Call Number: Northwestern Reference 936 An22ISBN: 0684806681 -
Encyclopedia of the ancient Greek world
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Call Number: Northwestern Reference 938.003 Sa14 & OnlineISBN: 0816057222"More than 4,000 years ago, the ancient Greeks invaded the rugged hills and fertile plains of the Balkan Peninsula, and in the centuries that followed, they built one of the greatest and most influential civilizations in history. Their enduring legacy to modern society includes mythology, poetry, drama, sculpture, architecture, science, and political thought." -
Europe 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
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Call Number: Northwestern Reference 940.2 Eu74ISBN: 068431200XBibliographies divided into primary and secondary sources for many articles. See the chronology on pages li - clxxi for topic ideas on the subjects of Politics & Society, Religion & Philosophy, Science & Technology, Art & Architecture, Drama & Music, and Scholarship & Literature. -
Encyclopedia of the Renaissance
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Call Number: Northwestern Reference 940.21 En19ISBN: 0684805146Articles include bibliographies which are sometimes divided into primary and secondary sources for each topic. -
Europe 1789 to 1914: Encyclopedia of the age of industry and empire
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Call Number: Northwestern Reference 940.28 Eu74 2006ISBN: 0684313596Volume 5 (p. 2527) contains a systematic outline of contents. -
Europe since 1914: Encyclopedia of the age of war and reconstruction
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Call Number: REF 940.5 Eu74 2006ISBN: 0684313650 -
Encyclopedia of Russian History
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Call Number: Northwestern Reference 947.003 En19ISBN: 0028656938Publication Date: 2004
Wikipedia
*Gasp!* Why is a library guide telling you to search Wikipedia? Like other reference sources, you might want to consult Wikipedia for background reading and fact gathering, but do not cite it as a source in your paper. For this particular class, the real value of Wikipedia is the list of links at the end of the article. These links will sometimes lead you to digitized collections of primary sources on your topic as well as to online bibliographies and other resources.
History e-Reference
Search one or more of the following e-Reference resources in order to get a good, authoritative overview of your history topic.