"In Publishing the Family June Howard turns a study of the collaborative novel The Whole Family into a lens through which to examine American literature and culture at the beginning of the twentieth century. Striving to do equal justice to historical particulars and the broad horizons of social change, Howard reconsiders such categories of analysis as authorship, genre, and periodization.

In the process, she offers a new method for cultural studies and American studies at the beginning of the twenty-first century" "Publishing the Family describes the sources and controversial outcome of a fascinating literary experiment. Howard embeds the story of The Whole Family in the story of Harper & Brothers' powerful and pervasive presence in American cultural life, treating the publisher, in effect, as an author.".

"Publishing the Family will interest students and scholars of American history, literature, and culture, as well as those studying gender, sexuality, and the family."--BOOK JACKET.