This is an extensive, fresh account of the early life of Thomas D'Arcy McGee. Astonishing new details are provided of his escape across Ireland in 1848, including his stay on Lough Derg in the course of being rescued by Clogher and Derry priests in a carefully managed operation. Indications are that his secret mission to the north at the start of the Irish Rebellion had astonishing possibilities, but it was so sensitive he could never discuss it later. The delightful discovery of his christening gown leads to further examination of his birth and early childhood at Carlingford. There is an extensive account of his career as a journalist in America, and his early involvement with Young Ireland's cultural and political mission which becomes his own. Thomas Davis was an early acquaintance; Gavan Duffy was a close friend; John Mitchel was an early mentor. While McGee led the moderates in the Confederation, he was also preparing for war as he organized the Clubs to satisfy the militants just before the revolt. There was no truer Irishman. The official Government side of the story, including Peel's extensive relief efforts made during the Great Irish Famine and Lord Clarendon's continuing vigilance is thoroughly researched and written so as to provide a balanced perspective to the general dissent and the determined and sustained efforts towards Irish independence, including McGee's own glorious initiatives.

Hailed as a landmark in Canadian literary scholarship when it was originally published in 1965, the Literary History of Canada is now being reissued, revised and enlarged, in three volumes. This major effort of a large group of scholars working in the field of English-language Canadian literature provides a comprehensive, up-to-date reference work. It has already proven itself invaluable as a source of information on authors, genres, and literary trends and influences. It represents a positive attempt to give a history of Canada in terms of writings which deserve attention because of significant thought, form, and use of language. Volume 3 has been newly written for this edition of the History, and covers the years from about 1960 to 1974. The contributors to this volume are Claude Bissell, Desmond Pacey, Lauriat Lane, jr, Michael S. Cross, Thomas A. Goudge, John Webster Grant, John H. Chapman, William E. Swinton, Henry B. Mayo, Malcolm Ross, Brandon Conron, Clara Thomas, Sheila A. Egoff, John Ripley, William H. New, George Woodcock, and Northrop Frye.

" ... Documents the history and development of [Post-colonial literatures in English, together with English and American literature] and includes original research relating to the literatures of some 50 countries and territories. In more than 1,600 entries written by more than 600 internationally recognized scholars, it explores the effect of the colonial and post-colonial experience on literatures in English worldwide.