Introduce your students to more than seventy authors in a study that connects the authors' lives and beliefs as revealed in their writings with the corresponding literary periods. Lessons examine Colonial-Revolutionary, Romantic, Realistic/Naturalistic, and Modern literature and issues such as Darwinism and religious liberalism. Included is the Thornton Wilder play The Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden. The updated student text includes introductory essays on the cultural and historical events that affect each literary period, biographical essays for each author, and discussion questions for each author's body of included work. - Publisher.