This book covers the history of English literature in a concise and original manner. It covers the Anglo-Saxon literature in one chapter and then covers the forms of English literature from Middle English on, form by form. English poetry is covered from Chaucer to the present day of this book (approximately 1962). English drama is covered from Roman times to the present day (1959). The English novel is covered from Richardson to 1960. Other English prose is discussed, from Anglo-Saxon times up to approximately 1955. There is an index, which gives each major author''s name and the works discussed; some of these writers cross the relatively artificial boundaries of types of writing, and so are mentioned in more than one place. The discussions are short, yet enlightening.