Pacific Historical Review
The Pacific Historical Review began its life in 1932 under the direction of founding editor John Carl Parish. This new journal emerged to document American expansion toward the Pacific Ocean and the regions beyond it. Parish led the publication from its inception until 1936, setting a tone for scholarly inquiry into western history. The early years focused on establishing credibility within the academic community while defining the geographic scope of the field.
John C. Parrish stepped down in 1936, handing the reins to Louis Knott Koontz who served until 1947. Koontz guided the journal through the turbulent years of World War II and the immediate post-war era. Following him, John Caughey took over leadership in 1947 and held the position for twenty-one years until 1968. Norris Hundley Jr. then managed the publication from 1968 to 1996, followed by David A. Johnson and Carl Abbott before Susan Wladaver-Morgan arrived in 1997. Wladaver-Morgan led the journal until 2014, after which Marc Simon Rodriguez assumed his current role at Portland State University.
The journal defines its territory as the history of American expansion reaching the Pacific coast and extending further outward. It examines the post-frontier developments that shaped the twentieth-century American West. This focus distinguishes it from broader national histories by prioritizing the specific dynamics of western growth and interaction with Asian markets. The content reflects a commitment to understanding how these regions evolved beyond traditional frontier narratives into modern economic and cultural zones.
University of California Press distributes this quarterly academic journal to scholars and libraries worldwide. The Pacific Coast Branch of the American Historical Association claims official ownership of the publication. This affiliation ensures the journal maintains high standards of peer review and historical accuracy. The quarterly schedule allows editors time to curate deep research articles rather than rushing for rapid publication cycles. Each issue undergoes rigorous editing before reaching subscribers through the press distribution network.
Every single issue contains an extensive section dedicated entirely to book reviews plus frequent review essays. These sections provide critical analysis of new scholarship in western and Pacific history fields. The reviews help historians track emerging trends and evaluate the quality of recent publications. Frequent review essays offer longer-form critiques that contextualize multiple works within broader historiographical debates. This ecosystem supports the community by highlighting important books while critiquing weaker arguments or outdated methodologies.
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Common questions
Who founded the Pacific Historical Review in 1932?
John Carl Parish founded the Pacific Historical Review in 1932 and served as its first editor until 1936. He established the journal to document American expansion toward the Pacific Ocean and regions beyond it.
When did John Caughey take over editing the Pacific Historical Review?
John Caughey took over editing the Pacific Historical Review in 1947 after Louis Knott Koontz stepped down. He held the position for twenty-one years until 1968, guiding the publication through a significant period of growth.
Which organization owns the Pacific Historical Review today?
The Pacific Coast Branch of the American Historical Association claims official ownership of the Pacific Historical Review. This affiliation ensures the journal maintains high standards of peer review and historical accuracy while being distributed by University of California Press.
What is the geographic scope of the Pacific Historical Review?
The Pacific Historical Review defines its territory as the history of American expansion reaching the Pacific coast and extending further outward. It examines post-frontier developments that shaped the twentieth-century American West with a focus on western growth and interaction with Asian markets.
How often does the Pacific Historical Review publish new issues?
The Pacific Historical Review publishes quarterly issues to allow editors time to curate deep research articles rather than rushing for rapid publication cycles. Each issue undergoes rigorous editing before reaching subscribers through the press distribution network.