No literary history can be a final and once-and-for-all account, but the authors of this book have sought certain things: a reasonable inclusiveness, up-to-date reading of the authors' work discussed, an informed critical posture. Having considered the complexity of American literature in social, historical and ideological context, at the same time recognizing American literature has been a Western literature, related to the thought and art movements that have crossed Europe and America. One advantage of a collaborated book, with authors from two sides of the Atlantic is a breadth of perspective and mixture of critical attitudes.