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American Literature covers quite a bit of ground. And, you might be wondering
where to start, especially considering the vast number of essays, stories,
poems, speeches, and other writings. This page provides points to consider
before you delve into the wonderful world of American literature.
Get an
overview: general resources
If you want to gain a better understanding of American literature, its
origins and influences, the best place to start is by taking a look at
anthologies and collections. Anthologies usually provide the text and
commentary for some of the greatest works of literature. Many of these
collections also include works from a number of different time periods,
and from a variety of geographical locations, which provide a unique perspective
on the history and unique regional quality of American literature.
• Top 10 American Literature Anthologies
• Top 10 African-American Literature
Anthologies
• Top 10 Native American Literature
Get
a sense of the literary movements...
If you are looking for a certain kind of literature, take a look at these
critical works, which discuss the importance of the different literary
movements. Writers from each of these literary movements developed philosophies
of literature, which sometimes extended to a religious and social world
view.
• Top
10 Books: Naturalism
• Top
10 Books: Transcendentalism
• Top
10 Books: Romanticism
• Top
10 Books: Realism
• Top 10 Books: Harlem Renaissance
Consider
literature in context with place
If you're looking for literature from a particular region of the United
States, there are quite a few books that will fulfill your needs.
• Top 10 Books : California Literature
• Top
10 Books: American South
• Top
10 Books: New England
It's all
about who you're reading...
If you want to read about a famous writer in American literature, there
are quite a few to choose from... Included on the list would be Mark Twain,
Emily Dickinson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Ralph Waldo Emerson,
Walt Whitman, and many more. The following pages offer the top picks for
some of the most famous writers in American history:
• Top 10 Books About Mark Twain
• Top
10 Books About Emily Dickinson
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