A Handbook to Literature (Handbook to Literature)

It appears to be a good book. I have not actually used it much, yet. It has tons of information in it that I will eventually need.

Thanks

I used to stay with an old gal who was a student of the original author of this book. That old gal was wrong about a lot of things,IMO, but she was on the mark in her celebration of this excellent book.

After several feverish hours of searching for literary definitions that I could not find anywhere on the internet, I remembered this book which I had bought for my first college literature course. Everything that I needed was in this book, even though the definitions had been previously elusive. If you are an English major, buy this book. It will save you hours because it is filled with definitions of everything literature related, from mimesis to plainsong; from expressionism to vignette.

The original compiler/editor, Hugh Holman, had created a classic--probably the best handbook to literature (almost exclusively English and American) available. The latest edition (10th) has everything that Holman had, with some modifications and additions. One of best features of Handbook is its invaluable time-line at the end, covering every major book and author in every major period of English literature, side-by-side with a chronology of American literature.

Easily one of the best handbooks on the market, and an indispensable reference for English teachers of literature and researchers at all levels. After thirty-seven years in teaching, I still make certain my copy of AHTL is readily accessible.