Portions of this book appeared in a somewhat modified form in The Reader's encyclopedia of American literature (T.Y. Crowell, 1962) and in Benet's reader's encyclopedia, 3d ed. (Harper & Row, 1987). Some 1,500 entries are new; those that are not new have been revised and updated. The scope is American literature from the period of European exploration to the 1990s, with emphasis on the US but including extensive coverage of Canada and Latin America. Entries include writers and writings, literary groups and movements, newspapers and other periodicals, and literary terms; also within the alphabetical arrangement are broad historical and topical essays. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or. With nearly 1500 new entries, this work expands and updates the Reader's Encyclopedia of American Literature , edited by Max Herzberg (Crowell, 1962). The editors, along with 130 noted scholars, have compiled a comprehensive, encyclopedic reference work that covers the literary movements, genres of fiction and nonfiction, and social, political, and religious influences on literature throughout North and South America. This work reflects the same quality and professional standard as Benet's Reader's Encyclopedia (HarperCollins, 1987) . Added features, such as genealogies of famous literary families, extended essays on all facets of American literature, and biographies on women and ethnic minority writers, make this single-volume work a valuable asset to any reference shelf. - Martin J. Hudacs, Solanco H.S., Quarryville, Pa. Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.