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American Literature

Introduction

The American Literature collection at the ABC consists of various kinds of materials meant to

help students, faculty, and staff with insight into and research concerning American literature.Library staff members, with the faculty in the American Literature department, have built a

collection that is comprised of different resources from and pertaining to major American literarymovements, from precolonial writings to the Modern Age. These resources take the forms of

books, journals, reference books, databases, and websites. The collection is meant to reflect the

diversity of American culture and literature, and thus contains works from authors of bothgenders and those of various backgrounds, including Native Americans and African Americans.

To see a sample of the collection, please visit the website linked below.

I. Print Materials

Books

Bradstreet, A., & Hensley, J. (2010). The Works of Anne Bradstreet. Cambridge, Mass: TheBelknap Press of Harvard University Press.

Considered to be the first American poet by many scholars, Anne Bradstreets works areessential to any American literature collection. Both Thomas E. Johnston and Ralph J.

Mills review the original edition as the best collection of Bradstreet poems so far, and the

fact that it has been reprinted more recently suggests that it continues to be so. Johnston

writes that it is complete, accurate, clear, thoroughly documented, helpfully arranged,

[and] tastefully printed; Mills reviews it as being very readable and authoritativelyedited and introduced. This book is owned by the American College of Greece and the

American University of Rome.

Ferguson, R. A. (1997). The American Enlightenment, 1750-1820. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard

University Press.

Ferguson examines the American Revolution in light of its literature, arguing that the

writings during this time were important factors that motivated both sides to act. At thesame time, however, he notes the irony of American writers demanding freedom while

exploiting Native Americans and African Americans, and denying rights to women.

Ferguson is successful with this arguments; Carl Dimitri concludes his review with:

[Ferguson] shows that freedom and domination emanated from the same source. Gavin

Cologne-Brooks is impressed by the variety of sources that Ferguson draws upon,including those from women writers and black writers. This book is owned by the

Lebanese American University, the American University in Bulgaria, and the AmericanUniversity of Paris.

Fitzgerald, F. S., & Bruccoli, M. J. (1991). The Great Gatsby. Cambridge: Cambridge UniversityPress.


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Bruccolis edition of this American classic contains one of the first manuscripts that

Fitzgerald wrote as well as the first edition of the completed work. Douglas Hewitt

reviews this edition as sound and handsome, though he expresses his disappointment inthe fact that the manuscripts between the ones presented in Bruccolis book have been

lost. This book is owned by the American College of Greece, the American University in

Cairo, and the American University of Paris.

Hayes, K. J. (2008). The Oxford Handbook of Early American Literature. Oxford: OxfordUniversity Press.

This book contains American literature from the colonial era to 1790. Hayes begins withdocuments pertaining to the first forays into the New World and moves on to cover

diverse writings, including selections by the Puritans, captivity narratives, selections from

the Great Awakening, and writings by Benjamin Franklin and other Founding Fathers.

J.S.D. describes this book as excellent. While John C. Shields is less impressed with thehandbooknamely because Hayes concentrates more on the prose of this era than on

poetryhe does concede that this handbook is a welcome arrival to Americanliterature collections. Certainly, the shortcomings of the handbook may be made-up forby other materials in the collection. It is owned by the American University of Sharjah

and NYU Abu Dhabi.

Kilcup, K. L. (2000).Native American Womens Writing: c. 1800-1924, an anthology. Oxford,

UK: Blackwell Publishers.

Kilcups anthology offers a variety of worksspeeches, poems, memoirs, letters, stories,

and songswritten by an early minority group: Native American women. The anthology

provides context and bibliographies for further research. Many of the materials that

Kilcup includes are out of print or otherwise hard to find, which makes this anthologyindispensible for a collection that is set on providing accounts from all voices in

American literature. Margo Lukens reviews the book as important, noting that it is the

first to focus on Native American women from this early period. It is owned by JohnCabot University in Rome.

Leiter, S. (2007). Critical Companion to Emily Dickinson: A Literary Reference to her Life andWork. New York, NY: Facts on File.

Emily Dickinson is one of the best-known American women poets. Leiters bookcontains a wealth of information regarding Dickinson herself, her works, her

acquaintances, and the social and cultural contexts in which she wrote. Jane Donahue

Eberwein lauds this work as an enthrallingly readable book of exceptional amplitude

and understanding. Denise Johnson writes that while there are other reference books on

Dickinson that are helpful to students, Leiters work is a more straightforward reference

guide that is effectively organized, thus making it a valuable addition to everylibrary. This book is owned by the American University of Greece and the American

University of Sharjah.


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Link, E. C. (2004). The Vast and Terrible Drama: American Literary Naturalism in the Late

Nineteenth Century. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press.

Link examines American naturalism, arguing that rather than being a part of the realism

movement that was also going on during the same time period, naturalism had more

connections to antebellum romanticism. Rather than examining specific works, Linkprovides a broad look at naturalism. According to Stacey Margolis review in American

Studies, this factor makes it a good introduction to naturalist writers [and] to some of

the central concerns of literary scholars in this field. S.M. Nurenberg recommends

Links book for all collections. It is owned by the Lebanese American University and the

American University in Cairo.

Myerson, J. (2000). Transcendentalism: A Reader. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Myersons collection of Transcendentalist readers contains the works of some of thegreatest authors of the time, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Louisa May Alcott.

Ulrich Baer highly recommends Myersons anthology, calling it indispensable and amagnificent edition. This book is owned by the Lebanese American University.

Pennell, M. M. F. (2006).Masterpieces of American Romantic Literature. Westport, Conn:Greenwood Press.

Pennell introduces works that are considered classics from American Romanticism,

including MelvillesMoby-Dick, Stowes Uncle Toms Cabin, and Walt WhitmansSong of Myself. Her introductions include information about the author, as well as

how the works were received in their own time and how todays critics viewthem. While Pennell only covers well-known works, her book is a good introduction to

the romantic literary movement. The anonymous review in Reference & Research BookNews seems to question whether the pieces that Pennell selects are actually

masterpieces, but is impressed by the amount of information Pennell includes. Thisbook is owned by the American College of Sharjah.

Poe, E. A., & Peithman, S. (1981). The Annotated Tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Garden City, N.Y:

Doubleday.

Poe has given us some of the best examples of American Gothicism, including The Tell-

Tale Heart and The Masque of the Red Death. This edition of his work includes

annotations ranging from vocabulary and name explanations to interpretations given by

the editor.While the anonymous reviewer in American Literature notes that this

edition is perhaps best for the general reader, they do note that anyone who enjoysPoes work will be pleased with the annotations. Furthermore, the notes are informal,

perhaps not best for an academic library, but fine considering this collection is trying to

assist students with the context and vocabulary of American literature, as well as theculture that it has created. This book is owned by the American University in Cairo, the

American College of Greece, and the American University in Paris.


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Showalter, E. (2010).A Jury of her Peers: American Women Writers from Anne Bradstreet to

Annie Proulx. New York: Vintage.

Showalter examines women writers throughout American history and examines the ways

in which they and their works were received by other women, other writers, and society

in general. She also discusses these writers in todays society; that is, how we perceivethem today and why we continue to read some of them while not reading others. Melissa

Matthes reviews Showalters work as being a valuable companion to the many

anthologies of the best womens writing. S.A. Parker also gives the book a shining

review, describing it as clear, accessible, and comprehensive, as well as essential for

all collections. This book is owned by the American University in Cairo, the AmericanCollege of Greece, the American University of Paris, and the Lebanese American

University.

Smethurst, J. E. (2005). The Black Arts Movement: Literary Nationalism in the 1960s and 1970s.Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.

Smethurst attempts to look at the black arts movement in a different light, arguing that

black artists incorporated theory into their works and were not just focused on

protest. He also argues that the belief that the black arts movement was mainly

conducted by men, pointing out that black women offered just as much as men. Charles

Scruggs does describe Smethursts book as a monster (it is 471 pages), but admits thatthe authors researchis impressive. Gene Jarrett reviews the book as an informative

history of African American culture and society, and predicts that it will be used by

teachers, students, and scholars for years to come. It is owned by the American

University in Cairo, the Lebanese American University, and the American University of

Rome.

Steinbeck, J., & DeMott, R. J. (1989). Working Days: The Journals of the Grapes of Wrath,

1938-1941. New York: Viking.

R.J. DeMotts edition provides commentaries of the journals that Steinbeck kept while he

was writing The Grapes of Wrath. While not about character development or the plot of

Steinbecks classic, the journalsdo provide a glimpse into the authors life and thedifficulty that he had while writing. Robert Murray Davis applauds DeMotts masterful

editing job and reviews the commentary as provid[ing] a context for readers of all

levels of expertise. Edward L. Galligan expresses some doubt as to the usefulness of

entries of what he calls Steinbecks self-nagging, but admits that the journals dodemonstrate how much Steinbeck suffered to get that novel written. This book is

owned by the American College in Greece.

Thoreau, H.D. & Cramer, J.S. (2004). Walden: A Fully Annotated Edition. New Haven: Yale

University Press.

Walden features many of the tenants of Transcendentalism, including focus on nature,

spiritual growth, and escape from society. Cramer, who is the curator of collections at


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The Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods, has added in-depth annotations beside the

original text that include contextual information as well as writings from Thoreaus ownjournals and letters. In The New England Quarterly, Robert D. Habich reviewsCramers edition as enrich[ing]. Q. Grigg in Choice rates it essential for all

collections; all levels. This edition ofWalden is owned by the American University of

Cairo, the American College of Greece, and the American University of Paris.

Twain, M. & Hearn, M.P. (2001). The Annotated Huckleberry Finn. New York: Norton.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has been called one of the Great American Novels,

yet has caused much controversy since it was first published, particularly about raceissues. Perhaps one of the best examples of Regionalism, Twain gives an accurate

snapshot of what life in the South was like during slavery. Hearn provide contextual

annotations, as well as the history of the book and the controversies it has created. Justin

Kaplan and Mark Rotella, Sarah F. Gold, and Lynn Andriana note that Hearnsannotations can be on the lengthy side, but agree that they are overall informative and

detailed. The American College of Greece and the American Academy of Rome bothown a copy of Hearns edition

Journals

American Literary Realism (1967-current).

This journal is published three times a year by the University of Illinois Press. The

journal focuses on a key transition period (1870-1910) in American literary

history. Heath Martin reviews the journal as recommended for academic libraries.

American Literature (1929- current).

American Literature is published quarterly by Duke University Press. The journalcovers American literature from the colonial period to contemporary literature and

includes essays, book reviews, and news concerning new editions and anthologies related

to American lit. Martin describes this journal as being a core title for academic

libraries. Full-text of the journal is available electronically through JSTOR and the

Ebsco Literary Reference Center.

Studies in American Indian Literatures (1974- current).

Studies in American Indian Literatures is published quarterly by the University ofNebraska Press. It contains scholarly articles concerning American Indian literature, as

well as critical and theoretical essays on the topic. The journal also publishes poetry,

short stories, and book reviews. Johnston highly recommends it for any academic librarythat provides services to an American literature program. This journal is an important

addition to this collection because it lends voice to a minority that has often gone


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unheard, and also emphasizes the diversity of American literature. Full-text of the

journal is available electronically through JSTOR and Project Muse.

Reference Books

Franklin, B.V., et. al. & Facts on File, Inc. (2010).Research Guide to American Literature. NewYork: Facts On File.

This research guide series has much to offer students who might not be familiar with

American literature, while still providing important information to students and facultymembers who have studied the subject before. Each book contains background

information on the certain literary movement, a guide to the main literary themes of the

movement, information concerning specific authors and works, an annotated

bibliography, and a glossary of terms. A. Wirkkala and J.G. Matthew, who both

reviewed individual books from the series in Choice, note that the guides not onlydiscuss works by prominent authors, but by writers from minorities and lesser-known

authors as well. Furthermore, the series was reviewed by Brian E. Coutts and CherylLaGuardia in the Library Journal as one of the Best References of 2010. This series is

owned by the American University of Sharjah.

II. Web Materials

Databases

The MLA International Bibliography, available online through EBSCOhost.

The MLA International Bibliography is a database compiled by the Modern LanguageAssociations Office of Bibliographic Information Services. According to theinformation given on the MLA website, the database provides a subject index for booksand articles published on modern languages, literature, folklore, and linguistics.

Websites

Reuben, P.P. (2011, March 30). PAL: Perspectives in American LiteratureA Researchand Reference Guide. Retrieved November 6, 2011, from

http://www.csustan.edu/english/reuben/pal/table.html.

Reuben, an English Professor Emeritus of California State University, has created anextensive and informative website concerning American Literature. The website is easy

to navigate; the major American literary periods are divided into sections, which containlinks to a selected bibliography, an introduction to the period, and individual author pages

containing bibliographic and biographic information. Multiple appendices forcus on

specific genres, themes, and groups. Several reputable websites link to Reubens site,

including the University of Guelphs American Literature subject guide, the BaltimoreCounty Public Librarys African American InfoCenter, and the American Literature


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Information Resource Center in Cairo. A list of literature links provided by Washington

State University includes Reubens site at the top of its General American Literature Sites

section, and reviews it as extensive, with SiteScene reviews [that] are extensive andthorough.

References

American Literature Information Resource Center (May 2008).American Literature IRC Cairo:Bibliography: Outline of American Literature. Retrieved on November 6, 2011, from

http://cairoamlit.blogspot.com/2008/06/bibliography-outline-of-american.html.

Anonymous. (October, 1982). [Review of the bookThe Annotated Tales of Edgar Allan Poe by

E.A. Poe & S. Peithman].American Literature, 54 (3), 470.

Anonymous. (Summer 2008). [Review of the bookThe Oxford Handbook of Early AmericanLiterature by K.J. Hayes]. Contemporary Review, 290 (1689), 265.

Anonymous. (November, 2006). [Review of the bookMasterpieces of American Romantic

Literature by M.M.F. Pennell].Reference & Research Book News, 21(4), 304.

Baer, U. (November 2000). [Review of the bookTranscendentalism: A Readerby J. Myerson].

Library Journal, 125 (9), 69.

Baltimore Public Library (2011).African American InfoCenter. Retrieved November 6, 2011,

from http://www.bcpl.info/centers/aacenter/.

Campbell, D. (February 2011).American Literature Sites. Retrieved November 6, 2011, from

http://public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/sites.htm.

Cologne-Brooks, G. (1998). [Review of the bookThe American Enlightenmentby R.A.

Ferguson].Journal Review of English Studies, 49 (195), 369-370.

Coutts, B.E. and LaGuardia, C. (April 2011). Best of 2010: Reference. [Review of the book

Research Guide to American Literature by B.V. Franklin, et. al. & Facts on File,Inc.]. Library Journal, 136(7), 46.


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Davis, R.M. (Winter, 1990). [Review of the bookWorking Days: The Journals of the Grapes of

Wrath by J. Steinbeck & R.J. DeMott]. World Literature Today, 64 (1), 120-121.

Dimitri, C. (1988). [Review of the bookThe American Enlightenmentby R.A. Ferguson].

Journal of American Studies, 32 (3), 540-541.

Eberwein, J.D. (Spring 2009). [Review of the bookCritical Companion to Emily Dickinson: A

Literary Reference to her Life and Workby S. Leiter]. The Emily Dickinson Journal, 18

(1), 110-113.

Galligan, E.L. (Fall, 1989). [Review of the bookWorking Days: The Journals of the Grapes ofWrath by J. Steinbeck & R.J. DeMott]. The Sewanee Review, 97(4), cxxii-cxxiii.

Grigg, Q. (January, 2005). [Review of the bookWalden: A Fully Annotated Edition by H.D.

Thoreau & J.S. Cramer]. Choice, 42 (5), 856.

Habich, R.D. (March, 2005). [Review of the bookWalden: A Fully Annotated Edition by H.D.Thoreau & J.S. Cramer]. The New England Quarterly, 78 (1), 133-136.

Hewitt, D. (May, 1993). [Review of the bookThe Great Gatsby by F.S. Fitzgerald & M.J.

Bruccoli].Review of English Studies, 44 (174), 291-292.

Jacob, M. (October 2010). Research on American Lit. [Review of the book by]. Booklist, 107

(3), 98.

Jerrett, G. (December, 2005). The Black Arts Movement and its Scholars. [Review of the book

The Black Arts Movement: Literary Nationalism in the 1960s and 1970s by J.E. Smethurst].American Quarterly, 57(4), 1243-1251.

Johnson, Denise. (March, 2007). [Review of the book Critical Companion to Emily Dickinson:

A Literary Reference to her Life and Work by S. Leiter].Library Journal, 132 (4), 106.

Johnston, R. (2008). Studies in American Indian Literature. [review] in Magazine for Libraries

from Ulrichs.

Johnston, T.E. (December 1967). [Review of the bookThe Works of Anne Bradstreetby A.

Bradstreet & J. Hensely].New England Quarterly, 40 (4), 616.

Kaplan, J. (Winter 2002). [Review of the bookThe Annotated Huckleberry Finn by M. Twain &

M.P. Hearn]. The Wilson Quarterly, 26(1), 114.

Lukens, M. (December, 2001). [Review of the bookNative American Womens Writing: c. 1800-

1924, an anthology by K.L. Kilcup].Legacy, 19 (2), 265.

Margolis, S. (Spring, 2006). [Review of the bookThe Vast and Terrible Drama: American


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Literary Naturalism in the Late Nineteenth Century by E.C. Link].American Studies, 47(1),

172-173.

Martin, H.C. (2011). American Literary Realism. [review] inMagazine for Libraries

fromUlrichs.

Martin, H. C. (2011). American Literature. [review] inMagazine for Libraries from Ulrichs.

Matthes, M. (October, 2009). [Review of the bookA Jury of her Peers: American Women

Writers from Anne Bradstreet to Annie Porulx by E. Showalter]. Commonweal, 136(17),22.

Matthews, J.G. (November 2010). [Review of the bookResearch Guide to American Literature

by B.V. Franklin, et. al. & Facts on File, Inc.]. Choice, 48 (3), 471.

Mills, Ralph J. (May, 1968). [Review of the bookThe Works of Anne Bradstreetby A.

Bradstreet & J. Hensely]. Poetry, 112 (2), 127-130.

Neurnberg, S.M. (December, 2004). [Review of the bookThe Vast and Terrible Drama:American Literary Naturalism in the Late Nineteenth Century by E.C. Link]. Choice, 42

(4), 660.

Parker, S.A. (July, 2009). [Review of the bookA Jury of her Peers: American Women Writers

from Anne Bradstreet to Annie Porulx by E. Showalter]. Choice, 46(11), 2115.

Rotella, M., Gold, S.F., and Andriana, L. (September 2001). [Review of the bookThe Annotated

Huckleberry Finn by M. Twain & M.P. Hearn]. Publishers Weekly, 248 (37), 73-74.

Scruggs, C. (March, 2007). [Review of the bookThe Black Arts Movement: Literary Nationalism

in the 1960s and 1970s by J.E. Smethurst].American Literature, 79 (1), 191.

Shields, John C. (Spring 2011). [Review of the bookThe Oxford Handbook of Early American

Literature by K.J. Hayes]. Eighteenth-Century Studies, 44 (3), 412-418.

University of Guelph (2011). Subject & Course Guides: Find Information on American

Literature. Retrieved November 6, 2011, fromhttp://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/research/subject_&_course_guides/index.cfm?fuseaction=Su

bjectGuides.getGuide&code=amerlit.

Wirkkala, A. (September 2010). [Review of the bookResearch Guide to American Literature by

B.V. Franklin, et. al. & Facts on File, Inc.]. Choice, 48 (1), 53.

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