Compiled and edited by a board of distinguished educators, this single-volume encyclopedia contains vital information on the world's greatest literary masterpieces-and is an essential reference source for home, library, and school. Includes A-Z listings on: * Authors-supplies dates of lives and works, and critical evaluations of everyone from Herodotus to Hemingway * Titles-mentions pertinent movements and influences from Beowulf to The Cherry Orchard * Literary Movements-defines the aims, techniques, styles and settings of Classicism, Impressionism, and many others * Historical Movements-explains background, ideals, and settings for authors and works from Classic Antiquity to the Renaissance * Technical Terms and Phrases-definitions of commonly-used terms, from "assonance" to "trope"