Concise Anthology of American Literature

by George L. McMichael, James S. Leonard (Editor)

This book contains selections from Volumes I and II of the Anthology of American Literature, Seventh Edition. Carefully selected works introduce readers to America's literary heritage, from the colonial times of William Bradford and Anne Bradstreet to the contemporary era of Saul Bellow and Toni Morrison. It provides a wealth of additional contextual information surrounding the readings as well as the authors themselves. An expanded chronological chart and interaction time line help readers associate literary works with historical, political, technological, and cultural developments. Other coverage includes a continued emphasis on cultural plurality, including the contributions to the American literary canon made by women and minority authors, and a reflection of the changing nature of the canon of American Literature. For anyone who likes to read the writings of American Literature–and wants to understand the connection between those words and their place in American history.

Genres: Fiction, Anthologies, School, Poetry, Read For School, Literature, Academic

2432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Dusty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another semester, another (mostly) read anthology of well-regarded literature. I would like to give one star for this book's unbelievable heaviness -- nearly killed my back! -- but I've decided to judge it on content and organization instead.

Anyway, I've already owned, or once owned and resold to university bookstores, various collections of American literature, so I feel somewhat authoritative when I declare this particular one rather middle-of-the-road. It surely has some interesting non-canonical and very recent stuff, like President Obama's inauguration speech and Sherman Alexie's "Class", a short story about an Indian man who likes to pick up the "tenth best looking white woman" at whatever event he attends. But I am annoyed at the editor's overall preference for bite-sized fictional pieces -- Kate Chopin, for example, is represented with the unremarkable story "The Storm" rather than The Awakening -- and mere excerpts from longer, often better and more important works. I'd prefer slightly less variety, if that's the tradeoff, and certainly more completion. As it is, this book serves as little more than a sampler. "You like this chapter from Frederick Douglass's Narrative? Cool! Now you can go buy and read the whole book!"

Also, who needs 436795 Emily Dickinson poems? A nice handful would more than suffice -- my students and I thank you very much.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

George L. McMichael's Concise Anthology of American Literature was a nice mixture of authors with a focus of giving a taste of literature from different time periods of American's writing history. I enjoyed a lot of the history, as well as the added historical information.

Reading this book was to fulfill a course requirement, and I highly doubt there would be many people looking to read this book purely out of enjoyment. However, I did find it interesting and can say I honestly learned a good deal about American Literature. I could see myself keeping this text awhile as a reference while I continue on with my educational journey.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't often refer back to my textbooks once a class is over, aside from a few literature collections, and this is one of them. It is a THICK book, but I continue to read out of it, even though my American Lit class has long been over. Poe, Faulkner, Melville, Dickinson, Steinbeck, Paine, Irving, Emerson, Chopin, Twain, Frost........I could go on and on.

[Jo]

This is obviously a text to some, but I picked it up long after college, to remember some and read pieces I did not have time to cover back then. It is more fun to let the book fall open and read at random then follow a dictated list. Try it.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had this book for both of my American Lit. classes. The book is pretty much a size of the Holy Bible, but it is important to have for any English literature course.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much poetry.

[Staci · Rating 1 out of 5]

had to read this for a class. not my cup of tea

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection. Hard to navigate so much stuff.

[Chandana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book changed my perspective on American literature, that's for sure.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read during American Literature Courses.

[Monique the Book Geek · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for school.