Research Guides
- University of Washington Libraries
- Library Guides
- UW Libraries
- Textual Studies and Digital Humanities
- Researching the History of a Book
Textual Studies and Digital Humanities: Researching the History of a Book
This guide supports UW's undergraduate Minor in Textual Studies and Digital Humanities and the Graduate Certificate in Textual and Digital Studies.
How do I research the publication history of a book?
When researching a particular book, it will help to take a step back and think about the genre of the book and/or place it in the timeline of publication history. Tips on how to complete the following steps are below.
- Start with the item itself...is it a critical edition or is there an introduction or notes?
- Find books and articles about your chosen book. And/or about the genre.
- Find the author's biography.
- Research the publisher.
- Find book reviews.
1. Finding your book at UW Libraries
Look for a copy of your chosen book at UW Libraries.
- Search the author's name and title, for example: Alexandre Dumas AND Count of Monte-Cristo. Limit your results to books and eBooks.
- Write down the call number and location. You can get the book from the shelves (recommended) or request that it be held for you. We may have several editions of the book.
- Choose a critical edition, if it is available. Otherwise, notes and introductory texts are goldmines for finding information about a publication's history.
- While you in the library, browse the stacks nearby for books about your chosen title.
- Scan the tables of contents and the indexes for the book title, publisher, etc.
2. Finding books and articles about your book or genre
In addition to searching UW Libraries Search, try searching research databases for literature.
If you book was originally written in a language other than English, search the title in the original language, for example: Le Comte de Monte-Cristo
-
Gale Literature Resource Center This link opens in a new windowComprehensive database of poetry, drama and prose, literature journals, author biographies, topic overviews, and critical essays.
-
MLA International Bibliography This link opens in a new windowThe most comprehensive source for scholarship in literature, language, linguistics, and folklore.
3. Finding an author's biography
Find a biography using Wikipedia, UW Libraries Search, or Gale Literature Resource Center. Biographers often include circumstances around the publication of the book.
-
Gale Literature Resource Center This link opens in a new windowComprehensive database of poetry, drama and prose, literature journals, author biographies, topic overviews, and critical essays.
-
UW Libraries SearchSearch your author's name and the keyword: biography.
- For example: Alexandre Dumas AND biography
You'll need to narrow the results from here using the limiters on the left. Limit to print books and/or ebooks.
OR you can go to Advanced Search, and then from the drop down, choose subject, and enter the author's name.
*Take note of the library location and call number. Go and get the book from the stacks. Browse the section for more biographies while you are there.
Look in the index for references to the book you are researching. -
Wikipedia or GoogleWikipedia also has editions in many languages, e.g. French Wikipedia.
Be sure to verify Wikipedia and web site claims by looking for their cited sources. Take the next step to find these sources at UW Libraries. Best practice is to use and cite the original source, rather than the web.
4. Researching the publisher
You might find a book or article about the person and/or the publishing house that edited the book. Look them up in UW Libraries Search, and do a Google search as well.
UW Libraries Search - Advanced Search
- Search for the publisher (or editor)'s personal name if you have it.
- If you search by publishing house, make sure you specify the publisher as a subject, using the Advanced Search. (Click "any field" and choose "subject")
Wikipedia may also contain good information about the publisher:
- Look for the source list, and search for these sources in UW Libraries Search to verify the information.
5. Finding book reviews
Book reviews can give you ideas on how a book was received at the time of publications. You can find book reviews in newspapers, magazines, literary journals, on the web, and by using book review indexes. We have a guide to help you find them on the Libraries website.
- Use the resources for Current Book Reviews if your book was published more recently.
- Otherwise use the guidance under "Locating Reviews of Older Books".
- Review the tips for finding book reviews and things to keep in mind.