history and criticism

"Proposes a new theory of American poetry. Written in . . . language and enlivened with . . . examples, it shows that two characteristics mark the vast, contentious literature. On the one hand, several of its major poets and critics claim that America needs a poetry equal to the country's own distinctiveness. On the other hand, American poetry welcomes techniques, styles, and traditions that originate from outside the country. Its influences range far beyond America's borders. The force of these two competing characteristics drives both individual accomplishment and the broader field"--Provided by publisher.

"From T.J. English, the New York Times bestselling author of Havana Nocturne, comes the epic, scintillating narrative of the interconnected worlds of jazz and organized crime in 20th century America"--.

Describes the life and career of writer Langston Hughes.

An exploration of the history of manga that considers the influence of political, social, and economic forces on the art form and includes over four hundred illustrations.

This book reveals how the horror genre as a way of seeing the world has become one of the most incisive critiques of America and its history and influence around the globe.

A pop-science look at fear, how and why horror films get under our skin, and why we keep coming back for more.

Explore the evolution and influences of Stephen King's body of work over his nearly 50-year career, and discover how the themes of his writing reflect the changing times and events within his life. Timed with Stephen King's 75th birthday on September 21, 2022, Stephen King features archival photos and documents from King's personal collection alongside the stories behind how his novels, novellas, short stories, and adaptations came to be.

A complete guide to the history of the character of Harry Potter and the Wizarding World created by J. K. Rowling.

"Journey through time and space with this graphic novel history of the science fiction genre, from Jules Verne, Jonathan Swift, and Mary Shelley to William Gibson and Philip K. Dick to Ken Liu and Ted Chiang, and beyond. Trace the progress of SF through modern times and learn why key figures and inventors like Thomas Edison and Elon Musk have looked to science fiction to predict the future. For the first time in illustrated form, this comprehensive history of science fiction traces its origins and, in fascinating detail, charts its history from its beginnings as a 'schlock' genre to its respected status today"--Provided by publisher.

"Millie danced to jazz in her Italian neighborhood. Pedro danced to Latin songs in his Puerto Rican neighborhood. It was the 1940s in New York City, and they were forbidden to dance together . . . until first a band and then a ballroom broke the rules. Machito and His Afro-Cubans hit the scene with a brand-new sound, blending jazz trumpets and saxophones with Latin maracas and congas creating Latin jazz, music for the head, the heart, and the hips. Then the Palladium Ballroom issued a bold challenge to segregation and threw open its doors to all" -- Amazon.