William Blake and the Impossible History of the 1790s
Monday May 31, 2004
In "William Blake and the Impossible History of the 1790s," Saree Makdisi explores the enigmatic character of William Blake, as he fits into the history of his age. Blake is ... Read More
Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked
Sunday May 30, 2004
Forget everything you ever thought you knew about fairy tales, and "Little Red Riding Hood." In this book, Catherine Orenstein explores the history of the fairy tale, from the French ... Read More
To Walt Whitman, America -- The Story
Saturday May 29, 2004
Walt Whitman burst upon the literary scene in 1855 with the first publication of "Leaves of Grass." The world of literature would never be the same again. Whitman sang a ... Read More
Jane Austen in Hollywood
Friday May 28, 2004
In recent years, Jane Austen's works have been converted to music and book adaptations, along with television, film, and stage productions. In this volume of essays, Linda Troot and Sayre ... Read More
Top Books: About the History of Books
Thursday May 27, 2004
From the first hand-written manuscripts, through the invention of the printing press, following the history of books is an educational and enlightening journey. Read more about how the book has ... Read More
The Professor and the Madman: a Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of Oxford English Dictionary
Thursday May 27, 2004
The "Oxford English Dictionary" is one of the greatest achievements in English literature, but it didn't happen overnight. In "Professor and the Madman," Simon Winchester delves into the mysterious history ... Read More
Top Books: For Your Reading
Wednesday May 26, 2004
If you're searching for a book to read, look no further... These lists feature top books related to what to read, how to read, the enjoyment of reading, the "must ... Read More
The Literature of Troy
Wednesday May 26, 2004
The legends of Troy and the Trojan War have sparked our imaginations, with its mix of gods, goddesses, heroes, the most beautiful woman in the world, and more. Aphrodite promised ... Read More
What We Say About Literature -- A Discovery of Books
Tuesday May 25, 2004
In "What Happens in Literature," Edward W. Rosenheim offers a brief discussion of the basics of literature, including poems, novels and plays. He argues that the main focus of reading ... Read More
A Remaking of Adam & Eve
Tuesday May 25, 2004
"The Skin of Our Teeth," by Thornton Wilder was published in 1943 to critical and controversial acclaim. The play is a hilarious romp through human experience, taking in many of ... Read More
What Was So Impossible?
Monday May 24, 2004
In "William Blake and the Impossible History of the 1790s," Saree Makdisi explores the enigmatic character of William Blake, as he fits into the history of his age. Blake is ... Read More
Atlantis From Its Grave
Sunday May 23, 2004
What happened to Atlantis, the lost civilization that vanished without a trace? Atlantis has captured our imaginations; and poets, writers, philosophers, and dreamers continue delve into the secrets of that ... Read More
The Origins of the Atlantis Legend
Sunday May 23, 2004
In "Discovery of Atlantis," Robert Sarmast discusses the origins of the Atlantis legend, starting with the first written records by Plato more than 2,000 years ago. He takes a look ... Read More
What is the Meaning of Life? -- Virginia Woolf
Saturday May 22, 2004
(1882-1941) British writer. Virginia Woolf was born on January 25, 1882, in London. Woolf became one of the most prominent literary figures of the early 20th century, with novels like ... Read More
Woolf - The Measure of Life
Saturday May 22, 2004
Herbert Marder conceptualizes the last ten years of Virginia Woolf's life, focusing on her revolutionary works, which she created before committing suicide in 1941. It was the most difficult time ... Read More
How to Read Literature Like a Professor
Friday May 21, 2004
In his new book, Thomas Foster opens up a new world of literature, drawing from some of the world's greatest classics to explore what literature is, what it means to ... Read More
A Poe Remembrance
Friday May 21, 2004
Pulitzer-Prize winning biographer Kenneth Silverman reflects on the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe, with many of the contradictions and travesties that make up this illusive and often controversial ... Read More
Top Books: Mark Twain
Thursday May 20, 2004
Mark Twain is one of the most famous names in American literature. Read more about the life and works of Mark Twain, including "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," "A Connecticut ... Read More
The Singular Mark Twain
Thursday May 20, 2004
With this new biography, Fred Kaplan offers a new perspective to the oft-told tales of Mark Twain's life and works. Although biographers have long navigated the ambiguous and misleading labyrinth ... Read More
Top Books: About Tolkien
Wednesday May 19, 2004
J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the most famous writers in literary history. "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" are perhaps his most famous works--with their many derivations in ... Read More
Land of Heroes
Wednesday May 19, 2004
Drawing from a background in comparative literature and mythology, Anne Petty studies Tolkien's major works: "The Hobbit," "The Lord of the Rings," and "The Silmarillion," along with short stories, academic ... Read More
The Literature of Troy
Tuesday May 18, 2004
The legends of Troy and the Trojan War have sparked our imaginations, with its mix of gods, goddesses, heroes, the most beautiful woman in the world, and more. Aphrodite promised ... Read More
The History of Books
Tuesday May 18, 2004
From the first hand-written manuscripts, through the invention of the printing press, following the history of books is an educational and enlightening journey. Read more about how the book has ... Read More
Top Books: For Your Reading
Monday May 17, 2004
If you're searching for a book to read, look no further... These lists feature top books related to what to read, how to read, the enjoyment of reading, the "must ... Read More
What Was America for Walt Whitman
Monday May 17, 2004
Walt Whitman burst upon the literary scene in 1855 with the first publication of "Leaves of Grass." The world of literature would never be the same again. Whitman sang a ... Read More
Wizard of Oz Day
Sunday May 16, 2004
L. Frank Baum created a wonderful American fairy tale in "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" (1900). Dorthy Gale is swept up in a tornado, and transported to the land of ... Read More
Top Lit
Sunday May 16, 2004
Welcome to the daily literature e-mail, where you'll learn more about the lives and works of writers from around the world. Each day, you'll receive facts and tidbits about the ... Read More
MLA Style
Saturday May 15, 2004
The MLA style was created by the Modern Language Association, and is used by more than 125 scholarly and literary journals, newsletters, and magazines. MLA-style usage is also required in ... Read More
Get Caught Reading!
Saturday May 15, 2004
Some of the most memorable events in my life have involved being caught reading a book. Not that reading a book is ever a bad thing... But, reading can be ... Read More
Van Helsing!
Saturday May 15, 2004
Abraham Van Helsing appears in Chapter 10 of Bram Stoker's "Dracula," when Dr. Seward writes to Art Holmwood: "I took advantage of the opportunity, and told her that my old ... Read More
How to Read Literature Like a Professor
Friday May 14, 2004
In his new book, Thomas Foster opens up a new world of literature, drawing from some of the world's greatest classics to explore what literature is, what it means to ... Read More
Robin Hood: a Mythic Biography
Friday May 14, 2004
In this mythic biography, Stephen Knight traces the origins of the legend, providing invaluable insights into why Robin Hood is still such an essential and evolving legend in our culture ... Read More
What About Tolkien?
Thursday May 13, 2004
J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the most famous writers in literary history. "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" are perhaps his most famous works--with their many derivations in ... Read More
Tolkien in the Land of Heroes
Thursday May 13, 2004
Drawing from a background in comparative literature and mythology, Anne Petty studies Tolkien's major works: "The Hobbit," "The Lord of the Rings," and "The Silmarillion," along with short stories, academic ... Read More
About the History of Books
Wednesday May 12, 2004
From the first hand-written manuscripts, through the invention of the printing press, following the history of books is an educational and enlightening journey. Read more about how the book has ... Read More
Am I a Snob?
Wednesday May 12, 2004
In "Am I a Snob?," Sean Latham explores not only the origins of the term, but what it has come to mean for writers. In his discussion of Thackeray, Wilde, ... Read More
Top Books: For Your Reading
Tuesday May 11, 2004
If you're searching for a book to read, look no further... These lists feature top books related to what to read, how to read, the enjoyment of reading, the "must ... Read More
Brother's Keeper
Tuesday May 11, 2004
Although the intended scope of this memoir was never fully realized, "My Brother's Keeper" offers a unique perspective on James Joyce. For many years, Stanislaus Joyce shared friends, books, misadventures, ... Read More
Bibliomania--Addiction to the Classics
Monday May 10, 2004
Are you addicted to books? You may go to any lengths to find a particular book. Bibliomania is "a gentle madness," a joy that's been enjoyed by bibliomanics, bookworms, book ... Read More
Steinbeck Novels
Monday May 10, 2004
The novels in this newest volume of collected works begin to explore new frontiers in John Steinbeck's writing, as he takes us to Europe, to Mexico, and then back home ... Read More
Books About MLA
Sunday May 9, 2004
The MLA style was created by the Modern Language Association, and is used by more than 125 scholarly and literary journals, newsletters, and magazines. MLA-style usage is also required in ... Read More
John Greenleaf Whittier: Selected Poems
Sunday May 9, 2004
John Greenleaf Whittier has been called the "Quaker Poet." He's famous for "Snow-Bound," which sold more than 20,000 copies in one month. With this collection, "John Greenleaf Whittier: Selected Poems," ... Read More
Van Helsing!
Saturday May 8, 2004
Abraham Van Helsing appears in Chapter 10 of Bram Stoker's "Dracula," when Dr. Seward writes to Art Holmwood: "I took advantage of the opportunity, and told her that my old ... Read More
Be Not Proud
Saturday May 8, 2004
In "Death Be Not Proud," John Gunther explores the process of death: discovery, fighting, living on, and then dying. The process becomes just a little bit easier, as humor, human ... Read More
Top Books: Mark Twain
Friday May 7, 2004
Mark Twain is one of the most famous names in American literature. Read more about the life and works of Mark Twain, including "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," "A Connecticut ... Read More
Spotlight: About Mothers
Friday May 7, 2004
Mothers are an important part of our lives. They bring us into this world; and they've played important roles in literature--both as the mothers of famous writers, and as characters ... Read More
I, Roger Williams
Thursday May 6, 2004
It's often easier to write about how much we don't know about the lives of early American writers than to discuss the few fragments of the past that have survived. ... Read More
Professor Reading
Thursday May 6, 2004
In his new book, Thomas Foster opens up a new world of literature, drawing from some of the world's greatest classics to explore what literature is, what it means to ... Read More
About Mexican Literature
Wednesday May 5, 2004
The history of Mexican literature encompasses Mayan and Aztec myths, and features works by Lee H. Dowling, Margarita Vargas, Mario Martín Flores, Bart L. Lewis, and many others. Read more ... Read More
Reading -- Get Caught!
Tuesday May 4, 2004
Some of the most memorable events in my life have involved being caught reading a book. Not that reading a book is ever a bad thing... But, reading can be ... Read More
Top Books: For Your Reading
Tuesday May 4, 2004
If you're searching for a book to read, look no further... These lists feature top books related to what to read, how to read, the enjoyment of reading, the "must ... Read More
What Happens in Literature
Monday May 3, 2004
In "What Happens in Literature," Edward W. Rosenheim offers a brief discussion of the basics of literature, including poems, novels and plays. He argues that the main focus of reading ... Read More
About the History of Books
Monday May 3, 2004
From the first hand-written manuscripts, through the invention of the printing press, following the history of books is an educational and enlightening journey. Read more about how the book has ... Read More
Say love...
Sunday May 2, 2004
If you're looking for the literature of love, this course offers a daily excerpt that's related to young love, lost love, unrequited love, the pain of love, and much more. ... Read More
So Big
Sunday May 2, 2004
Edna Ferber wrote nine plays, two autobiographies, eleven short story collections, and thirteen novels. Ferber also created "So Big," a novel which received the Pulitzer Prize in 1924, and is ... Read More
Profile: Emily Dickinson
Saturday May 1, 2004
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts on December 10, 1830. She was the second child of Edward and Emily Norcross Dickinson. Her family was prominent in Amherst. Her ... Read More
Mothers
Saturday May 1, 2004
Mothers are an important part of our lives. They bring us into this world; and they've played important roles in literature--both as the mothers of famous writers, and as characters ... Read More