A Brief History of American Literature offers students and general readers a concise and up-to-date history of the full range of American writing from its origins until the present day.  Represents the only up-to-date concise history of American literature  Covers fiction, poetry, drama and non-fiction, as well as looking  at other forms of literature including folktales, spirituals, the detective story, the thriller and science fiction Considers how our understanding of American literature has changed over the past twenty years 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