What do you think?
Rate this book
History of American Literature
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1911
58 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 12, 2018
This book was rather dry. It was informative, don't get me wrong, but it would've helped had this book provided portrait photos of the authors it was writing about. That would've made the book much better. Also, a nice graph showing the timeline of each literary movement would've done wonders.
All in all I can't complain too much since this was written in 1910. There's a lot of racism in here, and sexism as well, which was de rigueur for that period. It mainly covers white male authors too and writes dismissively of female authors when they come up.
All in all I can't complain too much since this was written in 1910. There's a lot of racism in here, and sexism as well, which was de rigueur for that period. It mainly covers white male authors too and writes dismissively of female authors when they come up.
October 16, 2020
It maybe an overall significant account of development of literal tendencies in America, but the heavy and obnoxious bias that the author shows towards the colonists put the reader off from treating it as a sincere historical record.
During the first two chapters reader encounters an unjustifiable admiration for John Smith whom author himself regards as not-an-artist with his pen and someone probably guilty of fanciful exaggeration. After that we find a series of mind-bending hailing of the colonists, puritans, and almost any name that participates in later American folk as a larger-than-life great hero (which is often a gimmick to justify their racist, genocidal, and opportunistic acts).
In the later part, as the Author grows over the intoxication of 'Great and glorious past', there is a significant timeline that informs us how Americans brought a true identity to themselves as a community with a claim of original literature. That part is useful as a guidebook or a timeline. The views, like earlier parts, are again the views of a great apologist and religious admiration to many authors and texts that have achieved a cult status.
During the first two chapters reader encounters an unjustifiable admiration for John Smith whom author himself regards as not-an-artist with his pen and someone probably guilty of fanciful exaggeration. After that we find a series of mind-bending hailing of the colonists, puritans, and almost any name that participates in later American folk as a larger-than-life great hero (which is often a gimmick to justify their racist, genocidal, and opportunistic acts).
In the later part, as the Author grows over the intoxication of 'Great and glorious past', there is a significant timeline that informs us how Americans brought a true identity to themselves as a community with a claim of original literature. That part is useful as a guidebook or a timeline. The views, like earlier parts, are again the views of a great apologist and religious admiration to many authors and texts that have achieved a cult status.
December 5, 2022
17th to 19th Century Intro
A nice introduction to early American literature from the first settlers and explorers to Twain, Whitman and more. While it is very survey level, you get suggestions for additional reading, questions for discussion and more. A good high school level introduction to American literature.
A nice introduction to early American literature from the first settlers and explorers to Twain, Whitman and more. While it is very survey level, you get suggestions for additional reading, questions for discussion and more. A good high school level introduction to American literature.
August 30, 2018
Useful book for teachers and students
The book is really useful for those who want to study history of American literature.It gives overview of American history of political life and literature.St the end of each chapter, there is summary and list of authors of the period .
The book is really useful for those who want to study history of American literature.It gives overview of American history of political life and literature.St the end of each chapter, there is summary and list of authors of the period .
September 11, 2016
A Must Read
A very concise history of American literature. I now have a much better understanding of the different literary periods and how they fit into American history. Equivalent to a 3 unit college course in terms of material.
A very concise history of American literature. I now have a much better understanding of the different literary periods and how they fit into American history. Equivalent to a 3 unit college course in terms of material.
Want to read
May 10, 2010My book is Copyright 1900
April 8, 2013
Very interesting, but also old enough that it was missing too much 19th century stuff.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews