The Norton Reader: An Anthology of Nonfiction: Shorter

by Linda H. Peterson, John Brereton (Editor)

Read by millions of students since it was first published in 1965, The Norton Reader is the bestselling collection of its kind. With readings in a wide variety of genres, subjects, and styles, it offers the largest and most thoughtfully chosen collection of essays for composition students today. The Twelfth Edition has been carefully revised, with 25 percent of its readings new and an extensive new introduction to reading and writing with guidelines to all the elements cited in the WPA Outcomes Statement. Available in two editions: a full edition, with 206 readings; and a shorter edition, with 123.

Genres: Essays, Nonfiction, Reference, Anthologies, Literature, School, College

775 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first got this book when a professor in a writing class assigned it as a text, and have been going back to it for various reasons since then. It's a great sit-and-browse book, it has excellent examples of a bunch of kinds of writing, and it is thought-provoking in many ways. My favorite entry is George Orwell's classic essay, "Politics and the English Language."

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes I read the whole god damn thing. 60% good things.

[Pearse Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Norton was a brick, mostly. Sometimes I'd find a piece of chocolate between bits of mortar and it was good, but it was still a brick. 7/10.

[ananyaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to use the Norton Reader for my AP English Language & Composition course. This course has turned into one of my favorites of all time and it is undeniable that one of the core reasons for that is the Norton Reader. The diverse, timely, and thought provoking essays in this collection have been so insightful. It not only gives access to various writing styles but also helps readers develop opinions and knowledge on worldly issues from yesterday, today, and of tomorrow. Even if it's not part of your academic requirement, I would highly recommend all students of literature and essay lovers in general to have a read.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Norton Reader is an anthology of expository prose. It’s 119 readings by 107 writers are arranged by topic and style. The essays vary in length averaging 6 pages. This is a fine collection to check out when taking a break from longer readings or exploring a topic or writer different from your usual reading.

The writers here are both well known (e.g. Thoreau, Maya Angelou, Virginia Woolf, Langston Hughes) and others less well known (e.g. Jacob Bronowski, Lewis Thomas, Aldo Leopold). The topics of the collection are Personal Report, People and Places, Human Nature, Cultural Critique, Education, Language and Communication, Nature and the Environment, Ethics, History, Politics and Government, Science, Literature and the Arts, Philosophy and Religion.

The anthology was compiled as a college textbook and many of its readings are followed by questions for discussion or writing assignments.

As for me, I dipped into this volume from time to time over the course of two years. I discovered new writers, was drawn to some of them, and went on to read longer works by them.

The Norton Reader would make a fine bedside or coffee shop book. It deserves a space on your bookshelf for those moments you feel like a read but don’t want to commit to a long work.

[Peejay(Pamela) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent collection of essays of all different types. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to delve into some of the masterworks of creative nonfiction.

[Lynn Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love reading a short story in Norton or two when I sit down to read. Each chapter is a short story and not connected to the other chapters. Norton always picks great short reading stories that make you think. Some of the issues that the stories make you think about were in vogue 5-10 years ago, but may appear somewhat 'dated' now. However, society does not change that fast and the issues are for the most part still real and can be vexing.
The questions at the end of each story help you focus on what some of the larger issues are in the story. Also, it is written for the person who wants to learn how to write and Norton does a good job of pointing you to the various style and elements the author used.

[Breanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was assigned the Norton Reader for both of my English courses this year. I found a handful of the publishings to be quite boring. However, the vast majority of my writing involved veterinary medicine and were very limited articles which I could reference in my writing. If I could have used the Norton Reader in my writing, I believe I would have actually enjoyed it.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with excellent examples of the creative nonfiction form and its many variations. Somebody important said that if you want to write something aptly, you should read at least 100 examples of it. By time I've finished this, I'll be ready to write an essay.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read most of the essays and stories for school. While several in the spiritual section didn't appeal to me, I found this to me ovar all an excellent compilation of great works. My favorite essay was Get a Knike, Get a Dog, but Don't Get a Gun and Thinking as a Hobby as second runner up

[Mills College Library]

808.0427 N887 2012

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent anthology of essays- something I pick up from time to time to revisit old favorites

[泊洋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

the best English study book，you d better recite some paragraph