History's Best Selling Books of 1881

Hats off to 1881! Few books commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as A Century of Dishonor. Alongside sensationally popular hits like The Prince and the Pauper and essential classics, consumers eagerly embraced the swell Yankee ingenuity and home-front craftsmanship. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like Helen Hunt Jackson and Mark Twain set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that swept main street from coast to coast as genuine top-flight hits. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. A Century of Dishonor

   Released in 1881 by Helen Hunt Jackson

   Published in 1881, Helen Hunt Jackson's "A Century of Dishonor" emerged during a period of intense westward expansion and ongoing conflicts with Native American tribes, serving as a powerful indictment of U.S. government policy. This book was historically significant for its unprecedented and unflinching exposé of systemic betrayals and broken promises. It aimed to shock the American public into recognizing the severe abuses inflicted upon indigenous peoples, moving beyond prevalent justifications of Manifest Destiny. Its release marked a pivotal moment in the nascent Native American rights movement, forcing a national confrontation with the moral contradictions inherent in the nation’s treatment of its original inhabitants and laying groundwork for future reform efforts.

2. The Prince and the Pauper

   Released in 1881 by Mark Twain

   Published in 1881, 'The Prince and the Pauper' marks a significant departure for Mark Twain, showcasing his prowess beyond humor and satire into the realm of serious social commentary through historical fiction. Set in 16th-century England, this novel uses a simple yet profound premise—the swapping of identities between a prince and a pauper—to explore the stark realities of class disparity and the arbitrary nature of power. Its release during America's Gilded Age, a period characterized by immense wealth and widespread poverty, made its themes particularly pertinent, inviting readers to reflect on social structures and human dignity. It quickly cemented its place as a classic, admired for its moral depth and engaging narrative.