History of American Literature

"History of American Literature" by Reuben Post Halleck is a journey through the story of books in America, beginning from when it was first colonized up to current times. The book is a story that explains all the important writers and trends that influenced American stories and poems as we know them now. The author explains how he was asked to write this book because of a similar one he wrote about English stories. He thinks it's important to understand the values and culture behind American books. He also believes that schools spend too much time on less important writers and not enough on the big names that made American literature what it is. The author wants to show not just the facts but the feeling of the literature and wants readers to connect to the exciting story of American spirit, inventiveness, and democratic success. He argues that grasping the early American stories is key to understanding what makes America, America.