English Literature: Its History and Significance for the Life of the English-Speaking World

by William Joseph Long

This book, which presents the whole splendid history of English literature from Anglo-Saxon times to the close of the Victorian Era, has three specific aims. The first is to create or to encourage in every student the desire to read the best books, and to know literature itself rather than what has been written about literature.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Literature, Academic, Unfinished, English Literature

620 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

William Joseph Long (1867-1952) was an American writer, naturalist and minister. He lived and worked in Stamford, Connecticut as a minister of the First Congregationalist Church.

Reviews

[Samadrita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This work is so antiquated and uninhibited in its bigotry in all shades that it's hard to believe it is still often recommended as a beginner's guide to the history of English Literature (till the Victorian era that is). For instance, the author often ends up digressing to wax poetic about the greatness of the Empire and while talking about great 'world literature' references only names of the Anglo Saxon and Norman variety.

Women's contribution to literature is either blotted out or treated with a condescension that sets one's teeth on edge. Jane Austen is described time and again as a 'delightful little creature/thing' etc as if she were Long's kitty or something. Fanny Burney's contribution is restricted to a blink-and-you-miss 1-line mention while the Bronte sisters are called 'lesser novelists' of the age. Wuthering Heights doesn't even get a mention but to be fair to Long, Emily Bronte's genius wasn't recognized until much later. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's sky-rocketing popularity is sneered at and Long goes as far as hinting that even the consideration of her appointment to the post of Poet Laureate was undeserved. In contrast, he goes on to shower praise on her husband Robert Browning and Tennyson's creations. Mary Shelley or C.G. Rosetti don't even get honorable mentions. Mary Ann Evans is described as married to George Henry Lewes which as everybody knows now is a factual inaccuracy. If this was an attempt to save her feminine honour I don't know. Lastly, most wives of famous male novelists/dramatists/poets/essayists are stereotyped as unhelpful, philistine nags who hindered their spouses' creative endeavours more than anything else.

'Tis a good thing this was first published in 1909, otherwise I might have rated this 2 stars at the most. But as is obvious this has not aged well. Not at all.

[Tejas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book for three purposes:
1. As a textbook for my Eng Lit Forms and Movements elective course at BITS Pilani
2. As a reference for my personal project 'Impact of the Tudor Era on the World'
3. As a source for lists and summaries of works by great English authors

And this legendary book served me brilliantly in all of the above regards

[Nagendra Sarma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay.. This is one of the best books for starters (like me) to know a rough idea of English Literature. Great!

[Anurag · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded off to 5

[Brian Mortimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audiobook. Took nearly 24 hrs(there goes another day of my life) so it's quite substantial as the title suggests. It's very dry and obviously has to be selective but there is a structure. It opens with the earliest forms of English poetry and prose like Beowulf circa 700-1000AD. This progresses chronologically (sometimes a little prosaically like a catalogue) all the way up to the late 19th century, close to when this book was published in 1909.

I found some random info on the author on Wikipedia. Long wrote a lot of nature books and made suggestions that animals were capable of learning and didn't perform purely on instinct as was popularly accepted. Both President Theodore Roosevelt and his naturalist advisor, John Burroughs attacked Long on what they saw as making animals appear too intelligent and human-like. Roosevelt personally had Long's books removed from schools. Long had some great responses and also asked the President to come 'anytime to Stamford to settle this like men.'

OK! Off subject but a fun fact. Back to this book!

There's a tonne of info and you'll learn about important writers in the emergence of poetry and the novel and it's evolution. It's a great feat, the writing of a literary history. It could never be perfect. A lot of time is allotted for the notable figures like Chaucer and Shakespeare when for others it can be fleeting.
I noticed another reader's review mention the lack of representation of female writers which I would have to concur with. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is omitted which for me is one of the greatest novels ever. Long makes scant reference to others like Jane Austen and George Elliot.
I think the author is dated in his selection in regards literary style too. I feel he has preference for moralistic realist literature instead of the satirical or aesthetic from his choices and some of his descriptions. That said he does well not to lean too heavily into the field of literary criticism for it to feel dogmatic and there's a lot of writers I've discovered. A long but fruitful journey.

Though I have grievances I will give some leeway for it being written in a different time where the significance of certain writers may not have been so apparent. There are still gems to be found in here.

For the author: for the magnificent feat of recording all of this and for sticking it to Roosevelt, I salute you. 4 out of 5

[K. Parker Richmond · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an assigned text for an online English lit class. I can see why it's considered a classic; its scope is comprehensive and thorough for the period which it covers--with a few glaring holes. As other reviewers have noted, the Anglo-centric world-view and dismissive tone toward or complete omission of women and minority writers are significant faults.

Additionally, the writing style and tone were incredibly dry. Reading it felt like chewing on Wasa crackers, without a glass of water to be had.

[Anunay Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good book for beginners in English Literature, but only until The Victorian age, because due to the age it was first published, there is no mention of modernist writers. So, in a sense it somewhat feels incomplete purely because of how old it is. But up until the Victorian era, it's a solid, engaging and insightful read.

[Manisha Rajpurohit · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Ravi Prakash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in easy language, good for starters , I read this in 2010 perhaps...A good book indeed.

[Sam Gurvinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for English Literature Students . Helpful for both basic knowledge and exam purpose.

[Nafisa Awal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have for all the English literature majors out there. I suggest reading the book for your first semester to take a ride at the basics; as soon as possible.

[Somanand Saraswati · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is better then other books on history of English literature

[Sayan Chakraborty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably recommend it to any student of English Literature, William J Long has explained the entire course of English Literature it's ups and downs, the predominant cultural influence that formed it in a very simple, and easy manner. Aside from all of that this book is targeted for beginners who don't have any idea about English history, culture and literature. It's useful you know, because there are other authors other than Shakespeare who deserve a bit of attention.

[Anishsundar]

lov this book