2004 ed. Surveys American literature from the 1600s to the present day, including entries on poets, playwrights, essayists, and novelists, as well as on literary movements, periods, and themes. Also offers historical perspective and social context.

2005 ed. Covers the entire history of literature in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, including accounts of individual authors and detailed histories of particular themes, movements, genres, and institutions.