As the British empire expanded ever outward, English writers of the 19th and early 20th centuries such as Charles Dickens, T.S. Eliot, and Virginia Woolf turned their gaze inward to matters of ethical and moral import. Modern writers continue to examine British identity by reformulating and reinventing literary movements and devices introduced by their predecessors. Readers of this volume are invited to observe the progression of English literature and enjoy the stories behind some of the most seminal works in the world.

Comprehensive bibliography (1000+ items) is preceded by three critical essays, two by the editor and one by Devendra P. Varma, a scholar of Dracula and vampirism. A timely release considering the upsurge of interest in this field, and well done. Senf looks at why the vampire has evolved so significantly over the years and why in the 20th century it is primarily a character in popular literature while its 19th century counterpart was an important part of the literary mainstream. No index. Cloth edition, $32.95 (unseen). Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR