Dominic Rainsford is Professor of Literature in English and Head of Department at Aarhus University, Denmark, having previously taught in Britain, Poland and the United States. His publications include Authorship, Ethics and the Reader (1997), Literature, Identity and the English Channel (2002) and many articles on Dickens. He is president of the Danish Association of English Studies and general editor of the Dickens Quarterly.

• Using this book Part 1: Beginnings 1. Good morrow 2. What is literature and who does it belong to? 3. Canons Part 2: Form and Genre 4. Poetry 5. The thing which is not 6. Prose fiction 7. Plays and films Part 3: Periods and Movements 8. Medieval and early modern 9. From Colonial America and Restoration England to 1900 10. From 1900 to the present Part 4: Positions, Identities, Ideas 11. The place of literature 12. Literary theory 13. Theories and goals Part 5: Over to You 14. Primary and secondary sources 15. Reading, research, writing Works cited Further reading

"Judicious and even-handed while also lively and engaged, this is an ideally instructive textbook for undergraduate students, as well as a delightful read for anyone susceptible to a love affair with English literature. The new chapter, a timely argument on the value of studying literature as a response to twenty-first century challenges, is a model of resourcefulness and breadth of vision."Juan Christian Pellicer, University of Oslo, Norway"Dominic Rainsford’s introduction to literature in English is witty and instructive, his limpid prose the perfect vehicle for guiding the reader through the inner workings of poetry, prose, film and drama. This short book’s lack of jargon, its penetrating intelligence, humanity, and sheer love of its subject render it the perfect primer for A-level and university students of literature in English; and for seasoned professionals too, who will find much to admire in it." Rene Weis, University College London, UK"Dominic Rainsford’s humour and enthusiastic enjoyment of his subject must appeal to students at many levels. He explains complex concepts and trends lucidly, elegantly and attractively. Literature in English fulfils the author’s promise to help students see an academic field as a whole, and connect it with other areas of study – an invaluable tool at the 21st-century university."Emma Harris, University of Warsaw, Poland