First published 2000
Justin Kaplan presents American literature from colonial times to the contemporary era in this comprehensive anthology. The collection spans multiple centuries of writing, featuring both established and emerging authors who shaped the nation's literary identity. Kaplan organizes the material chronologically, with eleven cultural portfolios that illuminate key historical moments and their literary responses. Each period receives detailed introductory essays that connect the writing to its social and political context. The anthology includes five complete plays alongside numerous other full works rather than excerpts. Nearly one hundred black and white photographs and illustrations accompany the texts. Kaplan's editorial approach emphasizes breadth and depth, offering readers access to voices that might otherwise remain scattered across multiple volumes. The collection traces how American writers responded to slavery, westward expansion, industrialization, war, and social change. This third edition expands the representation of diverse authors while maintaining focus on works that defined American literary tradition.
Genres: anthologies, american-fiction, 20th-century, american, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: educational, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: breadth-and-depth, diverse-representation
Setting: America
Period: Colonial, Contemporary
1034 pages · Paperback · Pearson Custom Publishing