Historical fiction is a great way to capture an era, whether it is the elegant Victorian era or the swinging pace and sizzle of the Jazz era. Unlike contemporary novels or even fantasy where all a writer needs is their imagination, historical fiction requires meticulous research and often the options are overwhelming. Here are five research titles to discover the world of the 1950s.

At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance--A New History of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power by Danielle L. McGuire

A sometimes harrowing account of the many instances that lead to the push for civil rights, Danielle L. McGuire showcases many of the now lesser known stories that served as a catalyst for many of the more famous actions taken by activists in the '50s and '60s.

This Kind of War: The Classic Korean War History by T.R. Fehrenbach

A hard-hitting account of the Korean War that highlights the perspective of those who actually fought in it. With North Korea's nuclear armament making headlines, This Kind of War provides a great perspective with official records, operations journals and histories, and is filled with the personal narratives of commanders and their troops. Be sure to nab the 50th anniversary edition with updated maps, photographs, and battlefield diagrams.

The 1950s American Home by Diane Boucher

At only sixty-four pages, this book is one of the shorter works on the list, but it is a well written reference containing dozens of high quality color photographs and provides the reader with a succinct summary of what home life was like during the 1950s and the rise of the middle class. Filled with facts about home life and popular architecture, as well as a look into the gender roles of the time. An easy read and a great primer to the decade.

Tube Of Plenty by Erik Barnouw

An entertaining yet informative look at how television was birthed from and eventually surpassed radio, Tube of Plenty is a classic reference that is filled with both hard facts and fun anecdotes. Compiled in short sections that make the text compulsively readable and provide an almost insider look to the world of show business as the author used to work in television. While later editions include the rise of cable, the first edition is great for authors looking to learn how the rise of television had a significant impact on the 1950s.

Play It Loud: An Epic History of the Style, Sound, and Revolution of the Electric Guitar by Brad Tolinski and Alan di Perna

With a foreword by Carlos Santana, Grammy Award-winning artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Play It Loud opens strong and keeps coming with the hits. A dynamic history of the electric guitar and how the originally soft acoustic instrument got picked up by rock 'n roll pioneers like Chuck Berry and created the cultural movement of the ages, as well as changing contemporary music forever. Filled with cultural history, musical history, and the melding of race and politics, Play It Loud is a research tome that even the most casual reader can digest.