Most history textbooks are so dry the only interesting thing that could emerge from them would be a sudden selfcombustion in the middle of class. Brent glass, director emeritus of the smithsonians national museum of american history, the worlds largest museum devoted to telling the story of america, chooses five standout books in a crowded field. American literature has been regarded since its inception as the preeminent periodical in its field. Top 100 american literature titles listed below are the top 100 titles for the american literature classroom, ranked in order of popularity, chosen by american literature teachers from across the country. Updated throughout and with much new material, a history of american literature, second edition, is the most uptodate and comprehensive survey available of the myriad forms of american literature from precolumbian times to the present. The revolutionary period is notable for the political writings of benjamin franklin, alexander hamilton, and thomas paine a. The scarlet letter nathaniel hawthorne narrative of the life of. From beloved classics to eyeopening narratives, we compiled together 10 of the best books to buy on american history. Recommended reading is given in chronological order under each heading.
Slave narratives can be broadly categorized into three distinct forms. From the end of world war ii until the early 1970s many popular works in modern american literature were produced, like harper lees to kill a mockingbird. Classic american literature and books for homeschool. In this criticallyacclaimed history, hogan tells the story of john riley and the st. What american literature can teach us about human rights. Lively discussions will highlight your studies of most significant events, people, decisions and debates. American literature books for high school sonlight. Exploring america literature package notgrass history. It includes information on individual authors, some images, and many bibliographies.
Dec 04, 2016 american history remains one of the most popular genres of history, which is why we see dozens of books published each year on the subject. Henry miller assumed a distinct place in american literature in the 1930s when his semiautobiographical novels were banned from the us. Folklore united states or state or region name poets, american. Top 100 american literature titles perfection learning. Provides thorough collegeprep coverage of literature and literary analysis. The best books on american history five books expert. It is a puzzle, given the extraordinary interest in american literature at home and abroad, that so few full histories of american literature have been published. The american literary tradition thus began as part of the broader tradition of english literature. The slave narratives were integral to african american literature. American literature package includes the level 430 american literature parent guide and accompanying american literature student guide. The library includes the greatest books of all time, including. Mar 24, 2008 theres no shame in admitting that you might have slept through a few days of american history class in high school. With this rich curriculum, your homeschool student will learn about the classic books and writers that make up the american literary canon and their contexts learning from a strong biblical worldview.
Best feminist books, women and mental illness fiction and nonfiction, tales of new york city, latin american fiction, best southern books. The young country struggled first for freedom, then to define itself and even during the civil war to hold itself together. A brief history of american literature richard gray. Narrative of the life of david crockett david crockett. Explore the latest blog post from american literary history featured on the oupblog. What are some good books on history of american literature. Some 6,000 former slaves from north america and the caribbean wrote accounts of their lives, with about 150 of these published as separate books or pamphlets. K3rd early american history around the world with picture books part i around the world with picture books part ii teaching character through literature. The greatest classical books of all time american literature. Jan 23, 2017 that history can be broken down into a number of distinct literary eras, in each of which a set of characteristics or beliefs shaped the works of literature produced. This book is the first comprehensive, single volume history of american literature since the columbia literary history of the united states edited by elliott emory and published sixteen years ago. American history indepththis year, you and your children will relive the american story from the first americans precolumbus to the present. The authors who began to come to prominence in the 1830s and were active until about the end of the civil warthe humorists, the classic new englanders, herman melville, walt whitman, and othersdid their work in a new spirit, and their achievements were of a new sort.
American literature american literature american renaissance. Native american literature is comprised of a collection of oral and written works that express the history, philosophy and culture of any one of the different groups of indigenous peoples of north and south america. American literature is often divided into five major periods. Moby dick, the call of the wild, the prince and the pauper, the red badge of courage, the awakening, little women, the scarlet letter, the secret garden, white fang, babbit, daisy miller, david copperfield, oliver twist and hundreds of other classic novels. American literature american renaissance britannica. Offers students an abridged version of history of american literature, a book widely considered the standard survey text provides an invaluable introduction to the subject for students of american literature, american studies and all those interested in the literature and culture of the united states. Thank goodness, then, for writers who thoroughly immerse themselves in the past and vibrantly animate it for modern readers. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. The literature of native americans, as in other culture, is an expression of how one sees the world and ones role in it.
Package also includes all of the american literature books for high school scheduled in these guides. In this scholarly but accessible history of american literature, subject specialist gray univ. The literature package includes all 12 works of american literature needed to complete exploring america. This american history reading list includes the best books for kids on early america 1600s and prior, the 1700s, the 1800s, and the 1900s. Bernal diaz del castillo writes the true history of the conquest of new spain 1632. Before the founding of the united states, the british colonies on the eastern coast of the presentday united states were heavily influenced by english literature. Brief timeline of american literature and events, 16201920. You may also search by title or author, if either of these is known. A high school study of american literature prose, poetry, and drama from 1750 to present day. The character of early american literature is strongly influenced by several factors. The literature package includes all 12 works of american literature needed to complete exploring america the scarlet letter nathaniel hawthorne. Literature has existed in the americas for as long as the people who lived there have been telling stories. This timeline of american literature and history 16201920 contains concise, yearbyyear and decadebydecade information on american literature and history. Get complete lesson plans, schedule and teaching notes for the entire year.
Author of the article, the ends of human rights in us literary studies, brian goodman discusses american literature and the future terrain of human rights. Discover the best american history in best sellers. Over 400 classic books and novels you can read free online. A peoples history of the united states by howard zinn, the audacity of hope. Mayan books from as far back as the 5th century are known, and it is believed that the maya started writing things down centuries before that.
American literature is literature written or produced in the united states of america and its preceding colonies. I know this will inevitably be your own, personal, take, but what is important in american. To find books on american literature in our collection, you can search by subject in our catalog using the following headings. First published in 2004, a history of american literature is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed surveys of american literature from precolumbian times to the present available today. Patricks battalion, a group of mostlyirish deserters from the us army who joined the mexican army, fighting against their former comrades in the mexican american war. Henry fleming struggles with bravery and courage during the civil war in this excellent book by stephen crane. What are the best books on the history of english literature.