encyclopedias

Presents alphabetized entries on 129 races, creatures, flora, and deities from author J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth and Undying Lands, and includes a map, a chronology, a source index, elf and human genealogies, over one hundred black-and-white illustrations, and thirty-six paintings.

Contains alphabetically arranged entries that provide information about the life and writings of William Faulkner, covering major characters and themes; literary and cultural contexts; relatives and friends; historical events, people, and places; social and cultural developments; and literary and philosophical terms and movements.

Contains alphabetically arranged entries that provide information about Shakespeare, covering his life and times, the sources and early publication of his works, performance history, actors and writers associated with his plays, derivative works, and other topics.

Contains alphabetically arranged entries that examine aspects of the life and writings of African-American author Toni Morrison, covering her novels, characters, themes, achievements, and other topics, and including suggestions for further reading.

This is an encyclopedic reference to Melville's life and work, comprehensive in scope featuring individual entries on his writings in a range of genres.

Alphabetically arranged entries provide information on a variety of themes, people, ideas, characters, references, and influences related to the life and writings of John Updike.