history and criticism

Chronicles one hundred years of Broadway musical history, profiling some of theater's most influential shows, composers, directors, producers, and actors.

Combines Lewis Carroll authority Martin Gardner's 1959 edition of "The Annotated Alice"; his 1990 sequel "More Annotated Alice"; and additional discoveries about the texts of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," and "Through the Looking-Glass"; and includes classic illustrations by John Tenniel.

Traces the roots of jazz and blues through today's styles. Highlights trends, styles and key performers.

Traces the origins of blues music, its evolution in the United States, and its influence on jazz and rock and roll.

An overview of crime fiction that profiles key writers and their works and provides trivia related to detective and mystery stories.

Presents a variety of documents which have been chosen to help readers understand the political, racial, literary, social, and general cultural contexts of the fictional autobiography "Black Boy.".

Uses detailed analysis, factual contextual information, and historical documents to study the literature of World War II.

Profiles a hundred years of African-American music that describes the origins of the spirituals, ragtime, gospel, and swing; and describes its influence on later music genres.

Provides background on the life of Ernest Hemingway and the influences that shaped his life, features articles that explore gender roles as portrayed in his novel "The Sun Also Rises," and examines issues of gender roles in the twenty-first century.

A collection of essays that explores how women's issues are presented in Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club;" provides information on the author's life and the writing of the text; and looks at contemporary perspectives on various women's issues. Includes discussion questions, a list of suggested reading, and a bibliography.