Includes glossary and acknowledgements.

"The purpose of this book is to give students a mature understanding of the American literary heritage. A special effort has been made to make high-quality literature accessible to the students in today's classroom. This book presents major themes in American literary history in a meaningful historical order. It pays special attention to authors and books that have become true classics. It helps students see living literature in its larger cultural context. It also stresses major themes that give our literature its unmistakably American quality. And it also tries to do justice to the true diversity and pluralism of American life and literature. "

English text.