history and criticism

Offers a critical introduction and discussion of the life and work of American author Sylvia Plath, examining biographies of the writer, looking at her journals, analyzing her fiction and poetry, and discussing the selection and control of posthumous publications.

Profiles approximately twenty poems by such writers as Robert Duncan, W. B. Yeats, and Lisel Mueller, providing poem texts and summaries, author biographies, criticism excerpts, and discussion of theme, style, and historical context.

Profiles approximately twenty poems by such writers as William Stafford, Frank O'Hara, and Mary Oliver, providing poem texts and summaries, author biographies, criticism excerpts, and discussion of theme, style, and historical context.

Profiles approximately twenty poems by such writers as Cathy Song, Allen Ginsberg, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Andrew Marvell, providing poem texts and summaries, author biographies, criticism excerpts, and discussion of theme, style, and historical context.

A comprehensive study of the works of celebrated American poet Louise Gluck, discussing the themes and tones of her poetry by comparing it to her earlier works.

Presents a discussion of the counterculture in the U.S. in 1969, documenting the year through its musical performances across the nation by groups such as the Byrds, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, the Velvet Underground and the Fugs.

Examines the connections between twentieth-century English author Jane Rhys's life and works, discussing her short stories and such novels as "Quartet, " "After Leaving Mr. Mackenzie, " "Good Morning, Midnight, " and "Wide Sargasso Sea.".

Provides a critical introduction to the life and works of British contemporary author Ian McEwan, looking at the evolution in his writing from shock to a more socially conscious literature that illustrates the chaotic state of the modern world.

Chronicles the history of American classical music, discussing significant events and providing anecdotes about composers; and includes an audio CD.

A comprehensive reference work that focuses on three decades of Hip Hop culture describing its history, popular terms and phrases, and an analysis of fifty of the most influential Hip Hop songs.