A compilation of articles from the journal "American Literary History", representing the full range of literary criticism. This collection shows how the journal has helped to shape the manner in which American literature is currently studied.

This reader collects essays taken from the first five years of the American Literary History (published by OUP). The journals has produced an exciting body of work representing the full range of American literary critical practices at a time when no consensus in the field exists. This collection shows how the journal has helped to shape the way American literature is currently studied and gives access to readers of essays from the journal's early years.