A great starting point for students or casual readers looking for a introduction to the themes and discussions on John Steinbeck's novel, The Grapes of Wrath.

A great starting point for students or casual readers looking for a introduction to the themes and discussions on Authur Miller's play, Death of a Salesman.

A great starting point for students or casual readers looking for a introduction to the themes and discussions on Erich Maria Remarque's novel, All Quiet on the Western Front.

Masterplots analyzes the most important works in all genres—long fiction, short fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction—throughout history and around the world, helping to define and critique the literary canon. Masterplots, Fourth Edition, in twelve volumes, retains the original purpose of the Masterplotsconcept: providing fundamental reference data, plot synopses where applicable, and critical evaluations of a comprehensive selection of English-language and world literature that has been translated into English. The essays are in alphabetical order by title, and each includes an annotated bibliography to aid readers in further study.

The five volumes of Musicians and Composers of the 20th Century examine individuals from all over the world who gained significance as composers, performers, instrumentalists, vocalists, and teachers. These are the people who have shaped the history of a number of musical genres, including blues, classical, country, gospel, jazz, Latin, musical theater, opera, punk, rap, reggae, rock, and many more.

Each one of these essays has been specially written for this set. The subjects of these essays are wealthy people who earned their fortunes in a wide range of endeavors from ancient times into the twenty-first century--coverage that is essential in any liberal arts curriculum. The editor's criteria for including these individuals in this publication took into account the amount of their wealth; their historical significance; their representation from a wide range of countries and historical periods; the sources of their wealth from a vast range of endeavors; their relevance to class curricula; and their interest to high school, undergraduate, and general readers. For purposes of this publication, the term "incredibly wealthy" is defined to include men and women who were or are among the wealthiest people during the times in which they lived. Many of these individuals were members of the wealthiest families of their times; profiles of numerous members of the Vanderbilt, Rothschild, and Rockefeller families, for example, are represented here.

Salem's Great Lives from History series, 637 essays focus on historically significant personages considered "notorious." The definition of that term ranges from controversial to extremely negative. Scope of coverage includes ancient times to the present, worldwide, with an emphasis on the North American and the West but including figures as diverse as Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Idi Amin, Ted Bundy, and Osama Bin Laden. The set spans classic figures such as Hitler to contemporary figures such as Aileen Wuornos. Controversial figures--from Mao Zedong to Richard Nixon--are also included. Legendary figures, from Salome to Robin Hood, are also addressed. Personages covered are remembered for their infamy but also for their key historical roles.

Great Lives from History: Latinos features 518 essays from the eighteenth century to the present. The majority of the individuals included in this set have never been covered in this series before. Many individuals are household names, famous for such high-profile professions as entertainment, music, politics, and sports, while others have received less attention but made important contributions to civil rights and science or helped pave the way for others in their community in areas such as education, law, and business. For purposes of this publication, the term "Latino" includes all persons of at least partial Hispanic ancestry who were or are American citizens or who have resided or worked in the United States long enough to become identified with the Spanish-speaking Latino community.

The 20th Century is the eighth installment in the revised and expanded Great Lives series, which provides in-depth critical, biographical essays from around the world. This set's scope is broad, both geographically and in terms of areas of achievement. Major world leaders appear here, as well as the giants of religious faith who were central to the century: philosophers, educators, artists, scientists, and activists who left their imprint on political as well as spiritual institutions. The set also includes figures who have received little attention in the past, particularly women and people of color in all areas of achievement.

Both the geographic and the occupational scope of the individuals covered inGreat Lives from History: The Nineteenth Century,1801-1900 are intentionally broad, with a view to including influential individuals worldwide. Major world leaders appear here, as well as the giants of religious faith who dominated the century: monarchs, presidents, popes, philosophers, writers, social reformers, educators, and military leaders who left their imprint on political as well as spiritual institutions. The set also includes figures who have received little attention in the past, from American educator and science writer Elizabeth Cabot Agassiz to Chinese statesman and military leader Zeng Guofan. By category, the contents include figures whose achievements fall into one or more of the following areas: agriculture essays, architecture, art, astronomy, biology, business, chemistry, church government, communications, crime, diplomacy, economics, education, engineering, entertainment, exploration, geography, geology, government and politics, historiography, journalism, law, linguistics, literature, mathematics, medicine, military, music, patronage of the arts, philanthropy, philosophy, photography, physics, psychology, religion and theology, scholarship, science and technology, social reform, sociology, sports, theater, warfare and conquest, and women's rights.