The book surveys the principal writers and their works chronologically, from the Anglo-Saxons to the present day. As well as poetry, drama and fiction, it includes coverage of other forms of writing, such as history and philosophy, which fall within the author's broad definition of literature. Professor Robson's primary aims are to suggest the main streams and great traditions of our literature; to bring out the special qualities of each writer; and to assess the contribution of each to the development of the major literary forms.