Everyday Life in the 1800s by Marc McCutcheon

I also really appreciate how many categories were compiled together in this one book. Marc shares the dates of his sources so it’s helpful to understand whether it directly applies to your particular decade or not. Some words are simply definitions and others have a more detailed explanation and even a short quote from a source during that time. The book actually looks like a dictionary with one word in bold on the left and a brief explanation. I appreciate sources that lay things out in an easy to read format that doesn’t involve long-winded paragraphs. I MAKE the time, but I don’t always have the time. For me, being a busy mom of four and trying to keep up with the demands of writing full time, I don’t always have the time to research. What I Loved: I love how easy it is to gather the information offered. If you write historical fiction and haven’t heard of this collection, it’s time to do a quick search on Amazon to see what you can uncover to assist you in your work. You’ll find others on Regency and Victorian England, Prohibition through WWII, Colonial American, Indian, Wild West, etc. The Everyday Life collection is pretty extensive. However, there is another version specifically on the Civil War. Rest assured, you’re looking at the same book. You’ll find another version by the same title but a different cover.

A guide for writers (or history enthusiasts) for all things in the 1800s.

Oh how I wish I had found this book sooner!!! The book is exactly as it claims to be. A must for both fiction and nonfiction historical writers. The wonderful and fascinating details of the 1800s have been gathered into one interesting volume, in which McCutcheon has included quotes from 19th-century citizens concerning or describing hairstyles and fashion, favorite swear words and slang, jokes of the period, courtship and marriage rituals, and more.

Everyday Life in the 1800s by Marc McCutcheon