Interestingly written, illustrated with portraits and enlivened by
pictures of scenes described, facsimiles of manuscripts, etc.
In the space of three hundred pages the author has managed to give a
clear account of English literature from Chaucer to Mark Twain and
James Whitcomb Riley. It is _not_ a mere outline, but a continuous
narrative, and really the most engaging book on the subject that has
appeared. It is written on a different plan from most brief
text-books. The author has wisely not attempted to treat every author
in English literature. By omitting the names which have no meaning for
us to-day the author has gained space to treat the really significant
writers quite fully enough for the needs of young students. An
excellent feature of the book is the profusion of _illustrations_.
Throughout the work emphasis is placed upon books that _still live_.
The nineteenth century in particular is treated fully; the writers may
be no greater than those of the eighteenth, but they have more to say
to us.
Each chapter is followed by a list of recommended reading in the chief
authors, with references to volumes where these may be found. By means
of this recommended reading _the course covered by this book may
readily be extended to cover two years' work_, or more. Under each
chief author is mentioned a standard library edition of his works and
inexpensive editions of single volumes.
=The Speaker Series=
The Speaker Series (32 vols) paper.
No. 1 Popular Short Stories
No. 2 Selections Chosen for Declamation Contest
No. 3 Selections for Children to Recite
No. 4 Cuttings from Stories
No. 5 Cuttings from Stories
No. 6 Ten Short Plays
No. 7 Readings, and Four Plays
No. 8 Briefs of Debates, and Readings
No. 9 Cuttings of Popular Stories
No. 10 Modern American Oratory
No. 11 Dramatic and Humorous Readings
No. 12 Centennial Number
No. 13 New Platform Selections
No. 14 Selections for Religious Occasions
No. 15 Encores: Nearly 200 Fresh, Bright Hits
No. 16 Popular Platform Readings
No. 17 Humorous and Dramatic Readings
No. 18 Monologues
No. 19 On Temperance
No. 20 For Declamation Contests
No. 21 After-dinner Speaking
No. 22 School and College Readings
No. 23 Selections for Entertainments
No. 24 Dramatic Selections
No. 25 Popular Prose and Poetry
No. 26 Readings from Great Authors
No. 27 Readings and Debates Not Found Elsewhere
No. 28 Classic Masterpieces
No. 29 Best Fiction for the Platform
No. 30 Humorous and Pathetic Readings
No. 31 Patriotic Selections
No. 32 Scenes from Plays for Platform Readings
THE ABOVE NUMBERS IN EIGHT BOUND VOLUMES, indexed by authors and
titles:
Vol. I. Including Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4,
Vol. II. Including Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8,
Vol. III. Including Nos. 9, 10, 11 and 12,
Vol. IV. Including Nos. 13, 14, 15 and 16,
Vol. V. Including Nos. 17, 18, 19, 20,
Vol. VI. Including Nos. 21, 22, 23, 24,
Vol. VII. Including Nos. 25, 26, 27, 28,
Vol. VIII. Including Nos. 29, 30, 31, 32.