[1] Rowe's works explore the intersections of postmodern theory, U.S. imperialism, and nineteenth-century American literature.
In his 1997 book, At Emerson's Tomb: The Politics of Classic American Literature, he revisited the writings of Poe, Melville, and Emerson, assessing the impact of these prominent authors' perspectives on race, class, and gender on the specific political changes in nineteenth and twentieth-century American society.
[3] While reviewing the book, William M. Morgan commended his efforts and said This work is often trenchant and erudite, subtle in its treatment of ideology, and clear about its theoretical underpinnings and wide-ranging subject matter.
In doing so, he transformed James's literary masterpieces into focal points where various modern critical theories intersect.
[8] His 2022 book, Our Henry James in Fiction, Film, and Popular Culture, offered an examination of Henry James's continued impact on popular culture, highlighting both the adaptability of his works in film and their ongoing relevance in discussions about social changes, gender and sexuality, and other contemporary issues.
[2] In recent years, Rowe has focused on indigenous studies in North America and the transpacific region, publishing work on such authors as Sarah Winnemucca[10] and Craig Santos Perez.