Includes bibliographical references and index.

The first Americans: American literature during the colonial and revolutionary periods
Inventing Americas: the making of American literature 1800-1865
Reconstructing the past, reimagining the future: the development of American literature 1865-1900
Making it new: the emergence of modern American literature 1900-1945
Negotiating the American century: American literature since 1945

"Updated throughout and with much new material, A History of American Literature, Second Edition, is the most up-to-date and comprehensive survey available of the myriad forms of American Literature from pre-Columbian times to the present? The most comprehensive and up-to-date history of American literature available today? Covers fiction, poetry, drama, and non-fiction, as well as other forms of literature including folktale, spirituals, the detective story, the thriller, and science fiction? Explores the plural character of American literature, including the contributions made by African American, Native American, Hispanic and Asian American writers? Considers how our understanding of American literature has changed over the past?thirty years Situates American literature in the contexts of American history, politics and society Offers an invaluable introduction to American literature for students at all levels, academic and general readers"-- Provided by publisher.

"This widely anticipated Second Edition features a wealth of fresh updates and new material, including a detailed survey of the fiction, drama, and poetry written in response to 9/11 and the 2018 war on terror.'"-- Provided by publisher.