<DIV>Here at last is an anthology that is not simply a collection of texts, but a carefully crafted tool for teaching and learning. With engaging author and selection introductions and generous gloss notes that supply the meaning of unfamiliar words, <I>The Bedford Anthology of American Literature</I> helps students read, appreciate, and understand American literature. The unsurpassed illustration program helps students grasp the cultural, material, and social conditions in which literary works are produced. Several innovative features supply additional contexts for the literature, while others help students reflect on why American literature is relevant and worth reading today. .</DIV>