Which anthology is better?

[Morwen]

I'd like two buy an anthology of American literature, but I don't know which one is better: Norton or Heath. By 'better' I mean - more reliable, with more texts & background information. Which one do you recommend?

Norton:
http://www.amazon.com/Norton-Anthology-American-Literature-Package/dp/0393929949/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215424078&sr=1-1

Heath:
http://www.amazon.com/Heath-Anthology-American-Literature-Colonial/dp/0618532978/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215424072&sr=1-1

[kelby_lake]

I like the look of the Norton one better. the other one just looks dull.

[Morwen]

I like the look of the Norton one better. the other one just looks dull.

I don't care about the look so much. I was more hoping for an opinion on the 'inside' of the anthologies. :p

[djy78usa]

Just using the descriptions from the links you provided, I'd go with the Heath anthology. I like that it includes works from lesser known authors, and seems to be geared more directly at students.

[PeterL]

Either would probably do, and the publishers of both have websites with aditional information. Go with Heath, I have come to hate Norton, because I don't like the notes.

[ctalerico]

As an English Lit major (in college back in the time shortly after the printing press was invented and when Norton anthologies cost around six bucks--I still have many of mine), I have always depended upon the thoroughness of Norton. Their editors are impeccable. Footnotes are generous and always thorough. Chapter and Section notes are as interesting as they are informative. Of course the paper is thin due to the sheer abundance of information between two covers but the spines hold up well. I still have both volumes of The Norton Anthology of English Literature (Revised 1968 paper edition; each volume cost $5.95!) and, aside from dog-eared pages and copious handwritten notes, this set has held up well with frequent use for forty years! My 1979 edition of The Norton Anthology of American Literature (second edition, paper) has held up equally well. The representation of American authors is fair and reasonable but I'd have given more space to differenct authors. But that's just personal taste after studying American authors for over four decades.

I don't know if production values have been compromised over the years but I'm certain you can depend upon the intellectual integrity of any Norton volume.

Hope this helps you make a choice that's right for you. Good luck.





I'd like two buy an anthology of American literature, but I don't know which one is better: Norton or Heath. By 'better' I mean - more reliable, with more texts & background information. Which one do you recommend?

Norton:
http://www.amazon.com/Norton-Anthology-American-Literature-Package/dp/0393929949/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215424078&sr=1-1

Heath:
http://www.amazon.com/Heath-Anthology-American-Literature-Colonial/dp/0618532978/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215424072&sr=1-1

[Jozanny]

I agree with ctalerico, but I have to add I know relatively little about how Norton's competitors stack up. Never used Heath. In my day it was Norton, Riverside Shakespeare, and Frank Kermode had god's ear.

[Ethan Roy]

I, personally own, the Norton anthology, and I am very pleased with my purchase. It includes detailed and pertinent information on every prose it contains. I, have not read Heath,a nd so cannot vouch for it, but I really enjoy my copy of Norton.

[stlukesguild]

Norton was the anthology of choice in my formal literature classes, and I certainly don't remember any real complaints.

[waryan]

Unfortunately I've no experience with Heath series but I'm going to be searching them out now. This is odd considering I peruse an unhealthy amount of new/used bookstores on a regular basis.

All that aside, personally I've always depended on Norton and it has come through tremendously. If you ask me, it's great in look, resources, editing, footnotes, critical essays, etc.

But do yourself a favor and first find a college book store or call some used book stores to see if they have either of these books so that you can look inside and decide for yourself before making the decision online.

[Morwen]

Thank you alll for your recommendations and comments. They're very helpful.

Now I see that most of you have used or come across Norton; however, I've used Heath before. My Modern American literature teacher recommended this anthology.

What I expect from an anthology is a lot of texts of both major and minor writers, biographical sketches, background information, and extensive notes. I understand from all your comments that Norton would provide me with exactly that.

All I can say right now to express what I feel is:

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both (...)
(Robert Frost)

[kelby_lake]

we had that in our anthologies given to us :)

[Tersely]

Now I see that most of you have used or come across Norton



That's pretty much what all my professors/school teachers let us work with. I shamefully didn't even know there was another choice. :(

[aeroport]

Depends on what period you're studying. I didn't even know Norton had an American Lit volume. We used volumes one and two of the Heath in my Early American Lit class, and I thought it was a fantastic anthology (which is why I kept it).
(With regard to the thin paper, I think they're all like that.)
Really, though, I'm sure either anthology would be great.

[Morwen]

Depends on what period you're studying.


Well, I've already found a set of three volumes of both anthologies: C, D & E. The question remains: what anthology to choose since I can't afford both. :idea: I'm tempted to buy the Heath one.

[Charles Darnay]

In my opinion, when it comes to the introductions (context, interpretations, critiques, etc) Norton is the superior choice. Admittedly, I have not come across the American lit anthology (I have used the English lit anthology as well as the Shakespeare anthology) - both are fantastic.