The Concise Heath Anthology of American Literature, Volume 2: 1865 to the Present

by Paul Lauter

This premier survey of American literature has influenced the manner in which the American literary canon is taught in classrooms across the nation. In response to readers' requests, the editors of the "Heath Anthology continue to develop and reinforce its greatest strengths: diverse reading selections and strong ancillaries. With the assistance of more than 200 contributing editors, the editors have updated biographical and critical information and added new works of interest to both instructors and students.

The Fourth Edition features writers and selections that highlight the divergent communities and diverse voices constituting the United States, both past and present. Volume 2 (which can be packaged with a free supplement of Whitman and Dickinson works) opens with African American folk tales and regional writers, and includes sections on the Beat Movement and the Vietnam Conflict.

Genres: Literature, Anthologies, Poetry, Classics, Reference

1760 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1998

About the author

Paul Lauter (b. 1932) is Allan K. and Gwendolyn Miles Smith Professor of Literature at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. He has served as President of the American Studies Association (of the United States), and he is General Editor of the groundbreaking Heath Anthology of American Literature, now in its sixth edition.

Reviews

[Virginia Arthur]

Story 6: by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps. "The Story of Avis." Written in 1877. Born in Boston, Mass.
Avis, of an artistic temperament and vocation, is the dutiful housewife and only in six months. She unknowingly defers her intellectual under pining(s) to her husband, Philip, who after all, is so much more worthy than her and after all, they have his college debts to pay off (some things never change!). It is she who sits by the side of his dying mother and as their eyes meet, she has a revelation. Due to "increasing delicacy of the lungs", Philip then quits his job in academia, the one they went into debt for, and goes to recuperate in the south of France. Then, right on time, he develops a kind of contempt for Avis. She still loves him and "wrestle(s) with her retreating affection as Jacob of old wrestled with the angel till break of day." He leaves her a single mother.
TBC

[Nola1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to have around the house. I've read many of the stories, essays, and plays within this book with a new appreciation for literature. I would recommend is book for writers, theater majors, but especially for english majors in college. The numerous genres & superb selection of writers compel you to evaluate your own actions/decisions/morals when presented in some of the characters positions. I am missing my anthology book now because I am in the middle of moving. I can't wait to get unpacked and read my book again!

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Anthology of the "second half" of American Lit. Highly recommended.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice anthology, full of works (mostly short stories) representing American lit very well. Used in a Vivian class at Alma.

[Michela Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This anthology does a good job of incorporating minority voices that haven't always been heard in the canon.

[Loria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this on my book shelf since a college literature class, so I decided to dive right in twelve years later and read it cover to cover.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this anthology and will never part with it. If I could bring only one book to a deserted desert island, this would be it!