Rating: 
Summary: another daunting literary anthology?
Review: The misleading title of this anthology is the first thing that comes to mind when receiving it in the mail: "...Shorter Fifth Edition." After lugging it along on my hike to class every morning for the past semester, I have a few issues with that proudly displayed "shorter." There are few books I can think of that aren't shorter than this one. Length (and weight) aside, the comprehensiveness of the anthology is amazing. As an English major, I've read a lot of anthologies, but this one stands out among them. In addition to the standard fare (T. S. Eliot, "A Streetcar Named Desire," "Huck Finn") that we English majors read in class after class, it features a diverse range of refreshing and new entries. Every point of view under the ridiculously broad umbrella of Americanness seems to be represented here: the rarely-seen chants and myths of the Native Americans, the poetry of slaves, and an impressive number of women writers are all accounted for. It's a relief to read an anthology that doesn't just have the same old prose as every other anthology, and for that, I'm more than willing to drag the heavy book to and from campus.
Rating:
Summary: another daunting literary anthology?
Review: The misleading title of this anthology is the first thing that comes to mind when receiving it in the mail: "...Shorter Fifth Edition." After lugging it along on my hike to class every morning for the past semester, I have a few issues with that proudly displayed "shorter." There are few books I can think of that aren't shorter than this one. Length (and weight) aside, the comprehensiveness of the anthology is amazing. As an English major, I've read a lot of anthologies, but this one stands out among them. In addition to the standard fare (T. S. Eliot, "A Streetcar Named Desire," "Huck Finn") that we English majors read in class after class, it features a diverse range of refreshing and new entries. Every point of view under the ridiculously broad umbrella of Americanness seems to be represented here: the rarely-seen chants and myths of the Native Americans, the poetry of slaves, and an impressive number of women writers are all accounted for. It's a relief to read an anthology that doesn't just have the same old prose as every other anthology, and for that, I'm more than willing to drag the heavy book to and from campus.
Rating: 
Summary: great selection of traditional literature
Review: The Norton Anthologies are still the best selections of traditional literature, although there has been a decline in quality as the editors anthologize non-mainstream work to satisfy the demands of what Harold Bloom calls the School of Resentment. Give us more Auden and less Ginsberg. Also, the editors' notes are often too indulgent. It is the editors' own assertions that they are not supposed to be shaping students' interpretations, but then there are remarks such as the one in the headnote to Matthew Arnold, criticizing Arnold for his negative criticism of Chaucer. This, dear readers, has no place in an anthology. Again, a footnote to the last line of "Dover Beach" reads, "Perhaps a reference to contemporary European wars, or perhaps a reference to no war in particular." If they aren't sure, this footnote is an inexcuseable lapse in editorial judgment. And do we really need an eight or nine page introduction to Herman Melville, covering every book he ever wrote? (Imagine devoting the same amount of space to covering the minutiae of Byron or of Henry James.) To summarize my position, though, the Nortons are still very good, but they could be just a little better.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing survey of literature that defines America
Review: The Norton anthology is the definitive collection of American literature. Its selections range from the letters of Christopher Columbus to quintessential American works like Whitman's "Song of Myself" and inherently American movements such as beat poetry. The collection offers a wide spread selection of works, some of which fall outside of your typical definition of "literature." All, however, have been important parts of our artistic tradition and provide literary examples of the coming of age of America. Literature has truly helped to define the American identity. This book is a history lesson, a journey through some of the most beautiful poetry and prose ever written and a testament to the kind of intelligent, passionate people that have formed our country.
Rating:
Summary: The Norton Anthology Review
Review: The Norton Anthology of American literature is a great collection of the most prominent and prolific authors in this young nation's history. The Anthology covers the development of authors in the new world, from the early native American folk tales to the works of Toni Morrison and Allen Ginsberg. The anthology spans poetry and prose and gives the reader a great cross sectional view of American society and its problems. The presence of Native American, Black and Hispanic authors presents a complete line up of works of literature, presented in a pleasant chronological order and introduced by a brief and interesting description of the author's life and works. The introductory description of each author facilitates the contextual placement of the text and its comprehension. The anthology contains several novels such as "Howl", "Sula" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". The presence of these complete works makes the anthology more complete, as they are an important part of the American literary tradition. The selection of authors and of their works is a good one, but presents some flaws. Obviously not being able to include all relevant authors in the American literary tradition, the editors selected a large number of authors, and their most important works. Nonetheless several important texts seem to be missing. Texts by less prolific authors, such as the great new classic "To kill a mockingbird" are missing. Although the anthology gives the reader an introduction on the author and his works it does not stimulate sufficiently through interesting points to be discussed and questions which shed light on hidden or obscure aspects of the texts. The anthology is a great tool for any class, or for the passionate reader. It is ideal if accompanied by a class or group/club in which the texts are discussed.
Rating:
Summary: Norton Anthology Shorter Fifth Edition
Review: This anthology is a must have for anyone interested in not only reading American Literature, but anyone who has an interest in American History. From Christopher Columbus' letters to Tennessee Williams' famous "Stella!" in A Streetcar named Desire, this anthology covers everything. The introductions to the pieces of literature not only tell about the author but the history behind the works. There is something for everyone and though it is huge (2879 pages to be exact)it takes up less room than would owning all of the classics in this anthology. I gave this anthology four stars only due to the akward size and the thin pages that cause you to look through to the other side of the page, blurring the already small type. It is a small price to pay, though, for so many classic works of literature.
Rating:
Summary: Norton Anthology Shorter Fifth Edition
Review: This anthology is a must have for anyone interested in not only reading American Literature, but anyone who has an interest in American History. From Christopher Columbus' letters to Tennessee Williams' famous "Stella!" in A Streetcar named Desire, this anthology covers everything. The introductions to the pieces of literature not only tell about the author but the history behind the works. There is something for everyone and though it is huge (2879 pages to be exact)it takes up less room than would owning all of the classics in this anthology. I gave this anthology four stars only due to the akward size and the thin pages that cause you to look through to the other side of the page, blurring the already small type. It is a small price to pay, though, for so many classic works of literature.
Rating:
Summary: This book rocks
Review: This book is overpoweringly neato. It's got everything from William Bradford to Cotton Mather to Thomas Jefferson to Irving to Thoreau. All in one little (rather large) book.
It's got alla the stuff ya'd want to quote from and sound pompously smart about and stuff.
Well, it doesn't have Shakespeare. But like, he's not American. So that makes sense, doesn't it? Mmm-hmm.Other than that, it's quite worth yer while. =)
Rating:
Summary: A Seminal Survey of American Literature
Review: To anyone seeking an encompassing overview of American literature, here is your book. This, the latest edition of the Norton Anthology, not only makes for months of good reading but also acts as a good primer for further pursuits in American letters (academic and otherwise.) Besides the countless number of excellent selections, eleven works appear in their entirety. Among them, Twain's Huckleberry Finn, Whitman's "Song of Myself," and Ginsburg's "Howl." The anthology also contains several new additions - most notably an intriguing section of Native American trickster tales that provides an interesting counter to Chris Columbus' over-zealous ramblings. As for more contemporary writing, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of deserving writers and poets newly anthologized in this revision: Toni Morrison, Raymond Carver, and Sandra Cisneros just to name a few. Yet what makes this anthology truly successful is the breadth and depth of the text as a whole. The selections, the organization, the well-written bits of biographical information... IT ALL FITS PERFECTLY! No doubt other readers will find this anthology as informative, provocative and enjoyable as I do. A definite keeper for my permanent collection.
Rating:
Summary: A Seminal Survey of American Literature
Review: To anyone seeking an encompassing overview of American literature, here is your book. This, the latest edition of the Norton Anthology, not only makes for months of good reading but also acts as a good primer for further pursuits in American letters (academic and otherwise.) Besides the countless number of excellent selections, eleven works appear in their entirety. Among them, Twain's Huckleberry Finn, Whitman's "Song of Myself," and Ginsburg's "Howl." The anthology also contains several new additions - most notably an intriguing section of Native American trickster tales that provides an interesting counter to Chris Columbus' over-zealous ramblings. As for more contemporary writing, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of deserving writers and poets newly anthologized in this revision: Toni Morrison, Raymond Carver, and Sandra Cisneros just to name a few. Yet what makes this anthology truly successful is the breadth and depth of the text as a whole. The selections, the organization, the well-written bits of biographical information... IT ALL FITS PERFECTLY! No doubt other readers will find this anthology as informative, provocative and enjoyable as I do. A definite keeper for my permanent collection.
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