This is the first annotated anthology of Canadian poetry and prose, from the eighteenth century to the present. Volume I contains the work of 40 writers. Some 200 pages are devoted to poetry and 350 pages to prose, which includes not only short fiction but five autobiographical pieces, eight essays of literary criticism, and a play. There are many cross-connections - in related subject matter, in the criticism and memoirs that reflect on other selections - so that the anthology offers a firm context for the study not only of individual writers but of the literary culture of Canada. With introductions to the writers and their works, and annotations.

Arranged chronologically with forty stories in all, the book provides an excellent survey of Canada's leading writers, including a story by Atwood herself ("The Sin Eater"), as well as stories by Morley Callaghan ("Last Spring They Came Over"), Mordecai Richler ("The Summer My Grandmother Was Supposed to Die"), and Stephen Leacock ("The Marine Excursion of the Knights of Pythias"). The book features biographical notes and an index of authors.

A survey of Canada's leading writers features forty-seven stories, with new pieces by writers in the original Oxford Book of Canadian Short Stories. Included are short stories by W. P. Kinsella, Morley Callaghan, Timothy Findlay, Matt Cohen, Alice Munro and Margaret Atwood.

An impressive selection of some of the best work of Canadian poets and Atwood's brilliant introductory survey of Canadian poetry make this an excellent textbook choice.