I discovered and picked up a couple of volumes from a nifty little series from Simon & Schuster over the weekend, which sadly doesn’t look to be in publication any more.
The series is called ‘A Crash Course’, and this particular volume is called Literature: A Crash Course [ISBN: 9780823009800 ], which not surprisingly is my favourite.
What I like about this series (I also managed to pick up Art: A Crash Course [ISBN: 9780823002597]) is the straightforward presentation, which chronologically charts the history of the subject it focuses on. The literature one for instance looks at the main periods of development in literature from the Greek period to modern-day, with a focus on the key writer’s who developed particular styles and genres.
Sure it’s nice to get one’s teeth into something a little more academic and technical than this, but as an introductory starting point these look and feel ideal (and they’re miles better than using Wikipedia). It’s just a shame they’re not available any more.
About Rob
I had to get this one. Found one on Powells. Always good to have a solid starting point.
says:
Good hunting Lauren!
hehehe.
Although I’m surprised you hooked on to this one. Then again, given your previous attraction to the books in the Daily Bookshots, maybe I’m not
Warmest
Rob
I’m sadly deficient in my literary history…so I thought this might be a good review! Besides you take these pictures, and I’m like I MUST HAVE THAT!!!!
I can’t help myself!
says:
Haha..maybe you should banned from looking at the shots then Lauren. For your own good of course.
Warmest
Rob