Discovering British Literature in Bits and Bytes

In a day when ‘study’ is often reduced to browsing a few general websites and calling it done, it is good to find such a thorough yet usable introduction to English literature. Teachers will find much with which to stimulate student interest, and students will be introduced to the wealth of written material residing in books on library shelves. Modern writing (think J. K. Rowling) builds upon older writings (Jane Austen et al) and students, particularly aspiring authors, will do well to ponder the broad range of resources residing on paper in libraries. This series provides 'tastes' of many different types of literature and students' interest will be stimulated through questions requiring critical thinking. -- Joseph Andrew Meboe, former continuing education technology instructor, Bellevue College, the University of Washington, and Kauai Community College
This book gives students many insights to detailed informational sites and original documents in e-texts. It will help them search the internet for needed matter for their work. This book takes students through the history of literature from the writings of ancient Chaucer and Shakespeare and many others who are familiar, and some who are not well-known. The information in this book is very important for spurring students’ thinking to a high level of accomplishment. Some of the many interesting questions even point to how writings from the past are relevant to today; showing, for example, John Donne’s words quoted in a classic Twilight Zone television episode. This will encourage students to want to delve further into seeking more information by going to the various Web sites which will give them more familiarity with many authors and what they have written. They will also guide them to unexpected discoveries. -- Janet L. Cook, newspaper columnist, Boonville NY Herald and Lowville NY Journal & Republican; editor and contributor, Tug Hill Quilters of NY newsletter
Johnson presents her goal well; introducing English literature to high school and first-year college and university students through a variety of literary works known and not known from the past and present, through excerpts from digital reproductions of literary documents. A valuable feature in each chapter is the intriguing questions helping students think about what's in what they're reading. -- James Floyd, reference librarian, Grinton I. Will Library, Yonkers, New York