A History of English Literature

Praise for A History of English Literature, Third Edition:

‘A reliable and readable guide for all students of literature. The new final chapter

manoeuvres its way skilfully through the treacherous waters of contemporary writing,

retaining that distinctive individual voice which makes the whole book so worthwhile.’ –

David Newell,Glasgow University, UK

‘Lucid, learned, judicious and informative.’ – Stephen Arata,University of Virginia, USA

‘Alexander’s book is still by far the best of its kind available on the market. The new final

chapter is clear and superbly written.’ – Jorge Luis Bueno Alonso,University of Vigo, Spain

‘An excellent reference book on the history of English literature from the earliest times to

the present.’ – Jeo-Yong Noh,Yeungnam University, Korea

Praise for previous editions:

‘If I had my way, every student of English would be supplied with a copy of this book.’ –

Gary Day,The Times Higher Education Supplement

‘An ideal starting point for any English student who is serious about the subject. It manages

to provide a comprehensive overview of English literary history in an accessible, practical

format. Moreover it is genuinely entertaining – Alexander’s style is pithy, pungent and

personal ....The reader is constantly reminded that this is a history, not the history, of

English literature, and the writer’s own strong opinions encourage the reader to discover his

or her own views and preferences .... I strongly recommend it to all students of English

liter ature, and to their teachers.’ – Sarah Annes Brown,Anglia Ruskin University,UK

‘To write a linear history of a great literature is a difficult task, verging on the impossible

these days. Professor Alexander has brought off a remarkable feat. His history is

co mpre hensive, clear, judicious and sometimes punchy. This is an account of English

writing which can be of great use to the student, the fact-hound, the teacher or the general

reader. Above all, it is a triumph of reason and judgement, never cranky, nor exclusive.

I shall recommend it widely.’ – Chris Wallace-Crabbe,University of Melbourne, Australia

‘T he book is a miracle of compression .... To maintain the same qualities of wit, crispness

and sharp but essentially generous judgement ... in a book which is something very much

more than a “survey” of the whole field of English Literature is an extraordinary

ac hievement.’ – John Rathmell,Cambridge University, UK

‘... eminently fit to excite the critical consciousness of the student.’ – Philip Smallwood,

Essays in Criticism

‘... a fantastic mine of information in which writers are seen within their chronological and

literary context ... the content provides an effective starting point for readers whatever their

literary intentions.’ – Sara Thorne, author ofMastering Poetry

‘A succinct, comprehensive and readable chronological account ... [Alexander] threads the

history and literature together with authority and occasional wit.’ – Jim Sweetman,The

Professional Journal of the National Association for the Teaching of English

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