Encyclopedia of Life Writing ─ Autobiographical and Biographical Forms

The compilation of this densely packed reference represents a monumental editorial effort; the number of entries is not stated, but most are one or two pages, so there must be about 400, in five categories: genres, common themes in life writings, contexts and criticism, regional surveys, and writers and works. Each entry is signed and includes a bibliography, some quite extensive. Thematic lists of entries help guide readers through the alphabetically arranged contents. The subject is broad; as the editor notes, "Life writing is now being explored in literary criticism, anthropology, sociology, psychology, history, theology, cultural studies, and even the biological sciences...." With this two-volume resource, students of all these disciplines can find overviews of genres and themes as well as international historical perspectives on life writing traditions and trends (from Classical times to the present) and summaries of the lives of important writers and the significance of their works. Editor Jolly is affiliated with the U. of Exeter, UK; contributors are from everywhere. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)