ISBN0321450965

This is by all means a decent anthology of literature for an introductory course, and a fairly respectable stab at a guide to good university writing.

The selections are for the most part diverse, encompassing Native-American, African-American, Canadian, and English writers. Short fiction, poetry, drama, non-fiction and, to a more limited degree, film get a fairly decent treatment here, too, encompassing chronological (classical to contemporary) and thematic terrain, making this a worthwhile text for students who simply want a brief introduction to all aspects of English.

Still, it is a bit unwieldly, and too often feels less like a solid anthology, and more like an 'English-for-beginners' type deal. You get what you pay for, I guess.

I have taught English 102 this semester (Fall 06) using this text and find it both professor and student friendly. I love the organization, the division of genres, critical thinking approaches, etc. The interspersing of photographs, art, and the culturally diverse offerings in terms of literary examples make for an experience that is memorable all around.

It is a book that fosters independent thinking, out-of-the-box thinking. It encourages writing about literature in such a way that students don't feel this to be an impossible task. In short, it empowers students, both those who have an idea to go onward to upper division work in literature and/or writing and those students who thought that compostion classes were a "necessary evil."

It is a book that begs to be opened and used. My students tell me this is one they will not sell back at the end of the semester, but will keep in their personal libraries. THAT is saying something.

I think that the appeal of this book would be enhanced by a slightly lower price, but that is the only serious drawback.

they made me buy it! but it was a lot cheaper at amazon than at the bookstore. the book was in good shape but it wasnt that great of a book. =D

A great book if you love literature. If I were stuck on a deserted island, and could only take one book, I would instinctively choose Poe or Whitman. In reality, I would probably choose this book since it covers so much in such a small package. Well, this book and a pen. I wont be able to yell at the authors if I can't write in the margins. :)

I learned so much with this book, it's so interesting. It offers a great selection of authors and writings, well-organized, easy to use and to understand. The delivery and the condition of the book were excellent. I'm very please with this buy.