Firmly grounded by the hallmark strengths of all Norton Anthologies--thorough and helpful introductory matter, judicious annotation, complete texts wherever possible--The Norton Anthology of English Literature has been revitalized in this Eighth Edition through the collaboration between six new editors and six seasoned ones. Under the direction of Stephen Greenblatt, General Editor, the editors have reconsidered all aspects of the anthology to make it an even better teaching tool.

This has a lot of interesting history of the period, as well as an introduction to the different genres and writers.

Not something I would have read right now if I didn't have to read it for class, however, the Norton Anthologies never disappoint me. ( )