Taine’s Encyclopaedia of English Literature (In 4 Vols.)

This encyclopaedia covers the history of English Literature from the ancient times to the modern era. The author has not spared any effort to make it as accurate as possible. Volume One glorifies the history of English Literature from the Saxons to the Pagan renaissance, as well as the emergence of English Theatre, the period during which the countries America and India were discovered, sciences mapped out and the reformation began. Volume Two traces the history from Pagan renaissance to the Christian renaissance, the period which saw the emergence of legends like Shakespeare, Ben Johnson, John Milton, Dryden and Sheridan, their respective styles of writing and their contribution to the glorification of English Literature. Volume Three carries the history from the classic age to the revolution, the period which saw changes taking place in both England and France, lockes essay on government, issue of century labours, gravity and rationality, the contribution of Addison and Swift, their respective styles – how much alike and unlike and the emergence of Pope. Volume Four carries the baton to the modern era, the French revolution, changes in the human mind, conservative rule in England and the contribution of Sir Walter Scot, Aristotle and Wordsworth, the period during which philosophy enters into literature. This encyclopaedia is an asset to every student and teacher of English Literature.