An Historical Summary of English Literature (Classic Reprint)

An Historical Summary of English Literature (Classic Reprint) Synopsis

Excerpt from An Historical Summary of English Literature

Anything in the nature of a cram-book on English literature lays its compiler open to the charge of literary vandalism and calls for a word at least of apology. It would not be impossible to defend the cram-book, in this case as in others, if it were necessary but the idea at the back of this summary is not wholly that of conveying information in a succinct tabloid form, In regard to important individual authors it draws attention to the salient facts of their outer life, to the leading characteristics of their work and to their place in literature. N o pretence to biographical or biblio graphical completeness is made but it is hoped that no important work has been overlooked and no date of any significance omitted. Similarly no desire of original criticism has been entertained, and the compiler's personal preferences and predilections have been as far as possible held in abeyance. Hence it is hoped that the book may be a safe and reliable guide to the student, helping him in the choice of what to read and drawing his attention to those opinions and criticisms which have become, by the wear and tear of the past, standard and unassailable.

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This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.