The Routledge history of literature in English : Britain and Ireland

This new guide to the main developments in the history of British and Irish Literature uniquely charts some of the main features of literary language development and highlights key language topics. Clearly structured and highly readable, unlike traditional histories of literature it spans over a thousand years of literary history from AD 600 to the present day. It emphasizes the growth of literary writing, its traditions, conventions and changing characteristics, and includes literature from the margins, both geographical and cultural. Key features of the book are: * an up-to-date guide to the major periods of literature in English in Britain and Ireland * extensive coverage of post-1945 literature * language notes spanning AD 600 to the present * extensive quotations from poetry, prose and drama * a timeline of the important historical and political events This will be essential reading for all students of English literature and language.

List of Illustrations Foreword by Malcolm Bradbury The Beginnings of English: Old and Middle English 600-1485 The Renaissance: 1485-1660 Restoration to Romanticism: 1660-1789 The Romantic Period: 1789-1832 The Nineteeth Century The Twentieth Century: 1900-1945 The Twentieth Century: 1945 To The Present Timelines Nobel Prize Winners Index Each section contains an average of three language notes related to the period.

This new guide to the main developments in the history of British and Irish Literature uniquely charts some of the main features of literary language development and highlights key language topics. Clearly structured and highly readable, it spans over a thousand years of literary history from AD 600 to the present day. It emphasizes the growth of literary writing, its traditions, conventions and changing characters but also includes literature from the margins, both geographical and culturally. Key features of the textbook include: * an up-to-date guide to the major periods of literature in English in Britain and Ireland * extensive coverage of post-1945 literature * language notes spanning AD 600 to the present * extensive quotations from poetry, prose and drama * a timeline of the important historical and political events * a special text design to enhance its usefulness * a foreword by novelist Malcolm Bradbury The Routledge History of Literature in English will interest students and teachers of literature and language worldwide.

• The beginnings of English - old and Middle English 600-1485
• the Renaissance - 1485-1660
• Restoration to Romanticism - 1660-1789
• the 19th Century
• the Romantic Period - 1789-1832
• the 20th Century - 1990-1945
• the 20th Century - 1945 to the present. Timelines.