This is an entertaining and fact-filled introduction to literature and writers.

A fascinating tour through history, from cave paintings to the present day: all-time greats like Dickens, Shakespeare, Austen, Twain, the Brontës and Orwell; genre favourites like Tolkien, Ian Fleming, Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle. An in-depth but easy-to-read guide to the lives and works of classic authors, plus related topics like story structure, the development of printing, the history of gothic horror, and even the world of comic book superheroes.

A rich and varied handbook, suitable for anyone who wants to find out more about literary history.

Comments from teachers:
"In our school, we've started using this as a standard book for background reading with [Key Stages] 3 and 4 English. I can't believe that nobody's written such a useful and accessible book on this subject before."

"It is detailed enough to be educational and wide-ranging enough to set the classics in context."

"At last there's something I can recommend to students and parents that isn't flippant like the Horrible Histories and their ilk. I like the way it balances seriousness and facts with being chatty... I can see myself using this volume for years to come."

"[Cheshire's] enthusiasm shines off every page... The chapter on what makes reading special should be read out in school assemblies regularly."

"What I liked best about this was the obvious love of literature on display. If pupils read this and don't want to go and try some of the titles and authors mentioned, there really is no hope!"

"I was very impressed with the way it introduces some quite advanced ideas in a straightforward way. It's not afraid to mix genre reading with more academic studies, and make both feel exciting and interesting."

"A useful guide which is very accessible."

Reader reviews on Amazon:
"This fascinating, well-researched book is a 'must read' for anyone interested in writers and a boon to Year 8+ teachers of English literature. Cheshire writes clearly and incisively, with a nice touch of wit. Beginning with the origins of writing, he guides us through printing, famous books that changed the world and the mechanics of a good plot, to the present day. On the way he covers the 'Literary Greats', providing background history and illuminating life stories"

"This is a really good book for anyone who wants to know - or perhaps thinks they ought to know - more about literature. It's written in a very easy to read style, so it's totally painless learning. There are lots of short chapters about various famous authors, and plenty of other information about books and writers too. I've even learnt about Hollywood scriptwriting and why you should call a book a codex instead! Interesting and absorbing stuff"

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