First edition. Contents: Introduction: Casting Culture; Jobs for Writers (Putting People to Work; Keeping Writers out of Trouble); Guides for Travelers (Guiding Travelers; Seeing America); Cultural Federalism (Negotiating Federalism; Describing America); Readers and Authors (Guiding Readers; Choosing Authors); Casting Culture (Defining Literature; Using Books); Conclusion: Casting American Culture; Appendix (A. Organizations and Acronyms; B. Key Dates for the Federal Writers’ Project, New Deal Relief Programs, and American Travel; C. New York State’s Directors; D. Contents of the 48 State Guides; E. Authors; F. Comparison of Canon Definers: Pattee, Parrington, Spiller, Baym (Norton), and American Guides; G. US Census Regions and Divisions); References; Author Index; State Index; Subject Index.