Publications

Home    Literary Links    Upcoming Events     Publications    SOA Applause
Postwar Literature, 1945-1970. John Cusatis, editor. New York: Facts on File, 2010. 259 pgs.

































An indispensible, award-winning literary research tool, Postwar Literature, 1945-1970 includes a thorough overview of the period written by John Cusatis and study guides on ten general literary topics, such as The Beat Movement and The Civil Rights Movement, and thirty major novels and plays, including Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Nabokov's Lolita.

Entries are written by twenty-six seasoned scholars, including the legendary science fiction writer James Gunn, who provided an entry on the science fiction writers and trends of the period. Study guides include background information about the subject, an in-depth list of topics for discussion and research, and an annotated primary and secondary bibliography of key sources.

Postwar Literature, 1945-1970 is the sixth volume of the Research Guide to American Literature  reference set, which was named a "Best Reference Source" by Library Journal in 2011.

Signed Entries by John Cusatis:

Overview:
"Boundaries of the Period," 3-5
"Dominant Genres and Literary Forms," 6-8
"Historical and Social Context," 9-15
"Literary Influences," 16-18
"Evolution of Critical Opinion," 19-22

General Topics Entries:
"Popular Music as Literature," 62-68

Work Entries:
"Flannery O'Connor, Wise Blood," 170-174
"J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye," 192-196

"...useful...recommended for public and high school libraries..." -American Reference Books Annual

"...belongs in every public, academic, and school library. Highly Recommended." -Library Media Connection

The following review appeared in School Library Journal, October 2010, 66:

CUSATIS, John. Postwar Literature: 1945-1970. 259p. (Research Guide to American Literature). bibliog, further reading, glossary, index. CIP. Facts On File. 2010. Tr $50. ISBN 978-0-8160-7866-0. LC 2009047815.

Gr 9 Up--This deceptively slim volume offers an astonishing amount of solid information in a readily accessible format. Part one consists of an overview of the dominant forms, literary influences, and historical and social movements of the period, as well as an analysis of the schools of literary criticism that flourished then. Part two offers more in-depth "study guides" on important topics related to the literature of the time, such "The Beat Generation," "Literary Responses to the Civil Rights Movement and Black Power Movement," and "Science Fiction." The final section features five- to seven-page guides to specific writers and their relevant works, each consisting of an article followed by in-depth suggestions for discussion and further research, as well as a detailed bibliography. An annotated bibliography rounds out the book. Cusatis's thought-provoking discussion points will provide a valuable resource for teachers preparing lesson plans or students narrowing down research topics, and the copious bibliographies will provide additional resources to investigate.--Kathleen Kelly MacMillian, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Find Postwar Literature, 1945-1970 at a library with or purchase a copy at