Books in the Preface Books series

Preface Books are a series of scholarly and critical studies of major writers intended for those needing modern and authoritative guidance of their work, in order to reach intelligent understanding and enjoyment of it. This work focuses on Grahame Greene.

In this excellent introduction to one of the best known authors in English Literature, Christopher Gillie outlines Jane Austen's life and literary background and examines their effect on her work.

Focusing on the background to Yeats's life and and work, this study provides an outline of Irish history and an exploration of magic and myth, in an attempt to make Yeats's work more accessible.

This study provides an authoritative overview of all Marlowe's work. The result is a reading of Marlowe that re-opens debates about his status as a radical figure and as a subversive playwright.

This text follows a chronological account of Jonathan Swift's life. It focuses on "Gulliver's Travels", but also discusses other works including early satires, political writings, poems and letters. Detailed chronological charts place Swift's life and works in political and cultural context.

This critical study of Pound's work is intended for those needing guidance through the difficulties of his work and is designed to enable the reader to reach a greater understanding and enjoyment of it.

Rewritten, to take account of the Pope studies and criticism published since the first edition appeared in 1976. Errors have been corrected, and sections revised and expanded where the author's views have changed. Part Two now contains introductory essays to a number of Pope's major poems.

A Preface to H G Wells provides a concise and accessible introduction to the life and works of Wells. Beginning with a survey of his life and times, the book also illustrates the influence of place on his fiction and autobiographical novels, and discusses his work in relation to Modernism.

Clear, vivid and convincing, Gamini Salgado's introduction to the life and works of D H Lawrence, sets the writer firmly in the context of his times

A study of four of Shakespeare's major tragedies - Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth - this Preface at these plays in a variety of contexts, both in isolation and in relation to each other. Michael Mangan also explores the cultural, ideological, social and political contexts in which they were written.

This text sets out the contemporary theories and practices of comedy together with broader theories of comedy and the major themes they contain. An analysis of the major Shakespearan comedies and factual information about the contemporary scene is included here.

A highly readable introduction to the life and work of Milton.

Considers the literary career of G.M. Hopkins, examining his family and religious backgrounds and his literary development and works. This series is intended for students of English literature requiring guidance through characteristic difficulties in the work of individual writers and poets.

A Preface to Hardy remains the best introduction to one of the most important and popular writers in English literature.

This work seeks to introduce the reader to the life and works of Oscar Wilde, focusing in particular on the period 1890 to 1895. Earlier works from the 1880s are represented to give a balanced view of the motivating forces in his work as a poet, lecturer, journalist, and a short story writer.

Preface Books are a series of scholarly and critical studies of major writers intended for those needing modern and authoritative guidance of their work, in order to reach intelligent understanding and enjoyment of it. This work focuses on William Wordsworth.

Preface Books are a series of scholarly and critical studies of major writers intended for those needing modern and authoritative guidance of their work, in order to reach intelligent understanding and enjoyment of it. This work focuses on T.S. Eliot.

Preface Books are a series of scholarly and critical studies of major writers intended for those needing modern and authoritative guidance of their work, in order to reach intelligent understanding and enjoyment of it. This work focuses on James Joyce.

Widely recommended, this guide to Conrad offers a vivid and incisive account of his life and literary career, and gives detailed attention to the contexts, themes, problems and paradoxes of his works.