The literature is not like a plane surface, spread out everywhere and equally visible in every part. It is like the soil, a secession of strata through which the explore must drive his shaft.

The Rise of the Short Story with an Introduction by Bret Harte is covering a compilation of selection from the great writers- ancient, medieval and modern. The main features are biographical and explanatory notes, critical essays etc.

The book will be of great interest to the research scholars and to the literary person but will be of general interest to those who love literature without any barriers of language or country.

New English Literature furnishes a concise account of the history and growth of English literature from the earliest times to the present day. It lays special emphasis on literary movements, on the essential qualities that differentiate one period from another, and on the spirit that animates each age. Above all, the constant purpose has been to arouse in the student an enthusiastic desire to read the works of the authors discussed. Because of the author's belief in the guide-book function of a history of literature, he has spent much time and thought in preparing the unusually detailed Suggested Readings that follow each chapter. Twentieth century research has transformed the knowledge of the Elizabethan theater and has brought to light important new facts relating to the drama and to Shakespeare. The new social spirit has changed the critical viewpoint concerning authors as different as Wordsworth, Keats, Ruskin, Dickens, and Tennyson. An entire chapter is devoted to showing this new literature reveals the thought and ideals of this generation.

Other special features of this new work are the suggestions and references for a literature trip through England, the historical introductions to the chapters, the careful treatment of the modern drama, the latest bibliography, and the new illustrations, some of which have been specially drawn for this work, while others have been taken from original paintings in the National Portrait Gallery, London, and elsewhere. The illustrations are the result of much individual research by the author during his travels in England Students, scholars and academics will be immensely benefited by this book authored by renowned scholar, Reuben Post Halleck.

With respect of the present undertaking, it is not the author's intention to compose a regular treatise upon each of the fine arts; but only, in general, to exhibit their fundamental principles, drawn from human nature, the true source of criticism. The fine arts are intended to entertain us, by making pleasant impressions; and by that circumstance, are distinguished from the useful arts; but, in order to make pleasant impression, we ought, as above hinted, to know what objects are naturally agreeable, and what naturally disagreeable. To censure works, not men, is the just prerogative of criticism; and accordingly all personal censure is here avoided, unless where necessary to illustrate some general proposition. No praise is claimed on that account; because censuring with a view merely to find fault, cannot be entertaining to any person of humanity. Writers, one should imagine, ought, above all others, to be reserved on that article, when they lie so open to retaliation. The author of this treatise, far from being confident of meriting no censure, entertains not even the slightest hope of such perfection. Amusement was at first the sole aim of his inquiries: proceeding from one particular to another, the subject grew under his hand; and he far advanced before the thought struck him, that his private meditations might be publicly useful. In public, however, he would not appear in a slovenly dress: and therefore he pretends not otherwise to apologise for his errors, than by observing, that, in a new subject, no less nice than extensive, errors are in some measure unavoidable. Neither pretends he to justify his taste in every particular; that point must be extremely clear which admits not variety of opinion; and in some matters susceptible of great refinement, time is perhaps the only infallible touchstone of taste: to that he appeals, and to that he cheerfully submits.

The personal work is a pioneering effort to highlight life and works of the choicest great English novelists.

The work gives a vivid account of their life event and critique of their literacy works by various learned commentators on them. Certainly this will be useful and informative for students, researchers and teachers besides the general readers.

The volume wise organization is as follows:
. Daniel Defoe
. D.H. Lawrence
. George Orwell
. Jane Austen
. Mark Twain
. Thomas Hardy
. Joseph Conrad
. Nathaniel Hawthorne
. Graham Greene