Robert Atwan has been the series editor of The Best American Essays since its inception in 1986. He has edited numerous literary anthologies and written essays and reviews for periodicals nationwide.
All I have to say about Harper American Literature is this: why isn't this thing just digital? Asking a high school student to buy this book and drag it around in their backpack is cruel and unusual punishment. Especially if, like me, your high school did not have lockers. There are plenty of interesting pieces in here, but it's all readily available on the Internet.