Literature: Reading and Writing the Human Experience

by Richard Abcarian, Marvin Klotz, Peter Richardson

Literature, Shorter Seventh Edition, offers the most widely taught short stories, poems, plays, and essays in a flexible thematic arrangement at a very low price -- now with expanded coverage of reading and writing about literature.

Genres: Literature, Reference, Short Stories, Education, College, Anthologies, Textbooks

1460 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Sarina M]

This is a college textbook I was assigned and I read a lot of excerpts from stories, poems, and essays, (but probably less than half of the ones in this book). I have a really nice memory of my mom looking through this book and getting excited when she saw poems/essays she recognized. It was really fun taking with her about them. I am happy I have this book for reference, but I don't think I will ever read this cover to cover.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an anthology so it is pretty diverse. It was the textbook for an English Comp II course but I read extra out of it as well.
I challenged myself by looking at & trying to answer some of the conclusion questions. Not very helpful if you're doing it on an individual basis. You kinda need that feedback.
It was a fair to good text.

[Mir]

This was the text we used for the stupid required "Expository Writing" course in college.
As far as I recall it was fine, as textbooks go.

[TimetoFangirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a textbook that read like a textbook. 'Nough said.

[Ashley Berkley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a text book but still a great diverse read

[Venus Smurf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this for one of my basic English courses, and it's been a great pick so far. The book offers a very nice selection of short stories, plays, and poetry, and it has several sections to help students with formal writing assignments. It hasn't been too expensive, at least for a textbook, which always helps.

[Kassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The eleventh edition has marks and notes all over the pages. This anthology is what made me decide to pursue English as my major in college. (Graduated now). Little did I know this would be the most interesting of the entire major aside from a "Non-European Female Author" class I took. This anthology is absolutely incredible and has such a great variety of powerful writing.

[CherylAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The arrangement of this was great, placing the works into progressive life categories: "Innocence/Experience", "Conformity/Rebellion", "Love/Hate", "Death/Dying" .There were some that could, IMO, be skipped, but only a very few. Very worthwhile reading, especially if you enjoy poetry.

[Amanda K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful collection that I read primarily during my angsty senior year of high school. I remember thinking it was beautifully organized and did capture something of the human spirit.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

timely and personally meaningful over years.

[Bill Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

7th edition. Changed my life. No exaggeration.

[Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

awesome

[Michi Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book for years and I still go back to it and reread my favorites. I refer to it regularly. It introduced me to some of my favorite authors and poets.