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University of Pennsylvania Press

363books in catalog
Most common themes

HistorySocial SciencePolitical ScienceUnited StatesEuropeReligion

About this publisher’s catalog

This catalog offers a focused collection of works that blend deep historical inquiry with literary and political analysis. Readers can expect a range of narratives that explore complex social, religious, and economic developments across various periods and regions. The mix includes both scholarly nonfiction and thoughtfully composed literary texts, making it well suited for those interested in nuanced perspectives on past and present issues.

What you’ll often find

  • Historical studies centered on medieval Europe and significant political events
  • Explorations of religious history and the intersection of faith and power
  • Analyses of economic crises and their broader societal impacts
  • Literary works with elements of suspense, mystery, and classical drama
  • Military and political science perspectives on conflict and policy
  • Collections that combine poetry and dramatic texts from ancient to early modern periods
  • Regional histories spanning Europe, North America, and North Africa

How to browse this shelf

  • Start by selecting works focused on specific historical eras, such as medieval or revolutionary periods
  • Look for titles addressing religious themes to explore faith’s role in historical change
  • Try browsing by geographic focus to compare regional histories and cultural contexts
  • Filter for nonfiction to access detailed political and economic analyses
  • Seek out literary or dramatic works for more narrative-driven or stylistic reading experiences
  • Use thematic clusters like military history or economic crises to find interconnected topics
  • Consider the balance between scholarly depth and narrative style when choosing a title

Good fit if you like

  • Engaging with detailed historical research that connects past events to broader themes
  • Reading works that blend political, religious, and cultural analysis
  • Exploring complex narratives with a thoughtful, measured pace
  • Appreciating texts that combine academic rigor with literary quality
  • Following discussions on conflict, power, and societal transformation
  • Encountering a mix of narrative nonfiction and literary storytelling

Generated from the books currently available in this catalog.

Authors published by University of Pennsylvania Press

Scott Gabriel KnowlesJane PerrymanLéon PoliakovLanday, LoriSteven A. SassElizabeth Tandy ShermerJohn P. SpencerKhalida Messaoudi
  • Madcaps, Screwballs, and Con Women: The Female Trickster in American Culture (Feminist Cultural Studies, the Media, and Political Culture) — Landay, Lori

    Madcaps, Screwballs, and Con Women: The Female Trickster in American Culture (Feminist Cultural Studies, the Media, and Political Culture) — Landay, Lori

  • Pragmatic Imagination: A History of the Wharton School, 1881-1981 — Steven A. Sass

    Pragmatic Imagination: A History of the Wharton School, 1881-1981 — Steven A. Sass

  • Sunbelt Capitalism Phoenix and the Transformation of American Politics — Elizabeth Tandy Shermer

    Sunbelt Capitalism Phoenix and the Transformation of American Politics — Elizabeth Tandy Shermer

  • In the Crossfire Marcus Foster and the Troubled History of American School Reform — John P. Spencer

    In the Crossfire Marcus Foster and the Troubled History of American School Reform — John P. Spencer

  • Wicked Flesh Black Women, Intimacy, and Freedom in the Atlantic World — Jessica Marie Johnson

    Wicked Flesh Black Women, Intimacy, and Freedom in the Atlantic World — Jessica Marie Johnson

  • Latinos and the Liberal City Politics and Protest in San Francisco — Eduardo Contreras

    Latinos and the Liberal City Politics and Protest in San Francisco — Eduardo Contreras

  • W.E.B. Du Bois, American Prophet — Edward J. Blum

    W.E.B. Du Bois, American Prophet — Edward J. Blum

  • Greater Portland Urban Life and Landscape in the Pacific Northwest — Carl Abbott

    Greater Portland Urban Life and Landscape in the Pacific Northwest — Carl Abbott

  • The Drama of Serial Conversion in Early Modern England — Holly Crawford Pickett

    The Drama of Serial Conversion in Early Modern England — Holly Crawford Pickett

  • Set the World on Fire Black Nationalist Women and the Global Struggle for Freedom — Keisha N. Blain

    Set the World on Fire Black Nationalist Women and the Global Struggle for Freedom — Keisha N. Blain

  • Backwoods Utopias The Sectarian Origins and the Owenite Phase of Communitarian Socialism in America, 1663-1829 — Arthur Bestor

    Backwoods Utopias The Sectarian Origins and the Owenite Phase of Communitarian Socialism in America, 1663-1829 — Arthur Bestor

  • Fall River Outrage Life, Murder, and Justice in Early Industrial New England — David Kasserman

    Fall River Outrage Life, Murder, and Justice in Early Industrial New England — David Kasserman

  • Writing East The “travels” of Sir John Mandeville — Iain Macleod Higgins

    Writing East The “travels” of Sir John Mandeville — Iain Macleod Higgins

  • Miscellaneous Investigations in Central Tikal–The Plaza of the Seven Temples Tikal Report 23C — H. Stanley Loten

    Miscellaneous Investigations in Central Tikal–The Plaza of the Seven Temples Tikal Report 23C — H. Stanley Loten

  • An Infinity of Nations How the Native New World Shaped Early North America — Michael J. Witgen

    An Infinity of Nations How the Native New World Shaped Early North America — Michael J. Witgen

  • Sovereign Soldiers How the U.S. Military Transformed the Global Economy After World War II — Grant Madsen

    Sovereign Soldiers How the U.S. Military Transformed the Global Economy After World War II — Grant Madsen

  • Astrofuturism Science, Race, and Visions of Utopia in Space — De Witt Douglas Kilgore

    Astrofuturism Science, Race, and Visions of Utopia in Space — De Witt Douglas Kilgore

  • Dante’s Philosophical Life Politics and Human Wisdom in “Purgatorio” — Paul Stern

    Dante’s Philosophical Life Politics and Human Wisdom in “Purgatorio” — Paul Stern