Encyclopedia of Women's Autobiography - [2 volumes] (Hardcover, New)

Women have been writing autobiographical works for centuries, and these texts are a valuable source of information about their lives and times. They reflect the personal experiences of their authors as well as the larger cultural, political, and intellectual contexts in which they lived and wrote. Multicultural in scope and the first work of its kind, this encyclopedia overviews more than 400 years of autobiographical writing by women. Working with the assistance of distinguished scholar and advisory editor Emmanuel S. Nelson, the volume editors have assembled nearly 200 alphabetically arranged entries by more than 130 expert contributors. The entries cover individual writers and major works, particular autobiographical genres, national and ethnic autobiographical traditions, and special issues, themes, and terms related to women's autobiography. The encyclopedia includes entries on such authors as: Jane Addams Maya Angelou Kamala Das Nikki Giovanni Lucy Hutchinson Julian of Norwich Cherrie Moraga Alice Walker And many others. In addition, it covers numerous works, including: The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas The Diary of Anne Frank I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings The Woman Warrior And many more. Also presented are entries on various genres, including: Autobiographical Fiction Collaborative Life Narrative Diary Letters Memoir Survivor Narratives And many more. The encyclopedia also provides entries on important themes, terms, and issues, including: Class Feminism Gender Identity Race Sexuality Voice And numerous others. Features: Contains nearly 200 alphabetically arranged entries. Gathers together the work of more than 130 scholars. Provides biographical entries. Includes entries onnumerous special topics. Covers women's autobiography from around the world. Spans women's autobiography from the ancient world to the present. Entries cite current research. Entries are fully cross-referenced. Presents a selected, general bibliography of major works. Includes an extensive index. Benefits: Entries encourage students to write about their own lives. Highlights the literary contributions of women across time and cultures. Promotes respect for cultural diversity. Assists students in understanding literary genres and forms. Helps students compare and contrast literary works from different periods and places. Entries serve as models for student writing. Helps students relate literature to history, since autobiographies often reflect historical events. Aids students in understanding texts central to the curriculum. Introduces students to less widely studied authors. Because of the sustained interest in works by women writers and the centrality of many of these works to the curriculum, high school libraries will need this essential reference. Public libraries supporting research in this area will also find it a valuable guide to the rich tradition of life writing by women and to the wider realm of gender studies.