A Brief History of English Literature

By John Peck and Martin Coyle

Book Overview

This new edition of an established text provides a succinct and up-to-date historical overview of the story of English literature. Focusing on how writing both reflects and challenges the periods in which it is produced, John Peck and Martin Coyle combine close readings of key texts with recent critical thinking on the interaction of literary works and culture. Providing a lively introductory guide to English literature from Beowulf to the present day, the authors write in their characteristically lucid and accessible style.

A true masterpiece of clarity and compression, this is essential reading for undergraduate students coming across the vast areas of English literature for the first time and looking for a way of making critical sense of the texts being studied. In addition, the concise nature and narrative structure of this book makes it excellent reading for general readers.

New to this Edition:
- Revised chapter on twentieth century literature
- Complete new chapter on twenty-first century literature
- Updated Chronology and Further Reading section

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1137352663
• ISBN13: 9781137352668
• Release Date: October 2013
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
• Length: 392 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

A Breif 332 Pages

The writing is for both an academic and general audience. What does that mean to you? It follows the dictate of Horace that good writing should enlighten and entertain.