Literature by Period - Exodus Books

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In the West we have what is called a teleological view of history. That means that the scope of human civilization and events, from its earliest time till now, is actually going someplace. Whether that place is Ragnarok, Armageddon, the New Jerusalem, or an alien apocalypse depends on which worldview you're espousing, but it's hard for people with European heritage to think in terms of the circularity of history, or that history is going nowhere, just on an on and on into the infinite future.

As Christians, we believe history is on its way to Christ. That may be a little simplistic, but ultimately God has ordered and guided history according to His will for it, and its completion is entirely in His hands....but only after the intended progression of events has been completed. If this is true, history can be seen, not merely as endless repetition, but as a line drawn between point A and some as yet indistinguishable (from a human perspective) point B.

The literature of any period, therefore, can only be understood by the particular historical stage and cultural context in which it was written. If history isn't stagnant, literature can't be either, and any writer is going to reflect (consciously or unconsciously) the attitudes prevalent around him. If you didn't know Cervantes was mocking the "courtly love" and chivalric ideals of Medieval Europe, Don Quixote wouldn't make near as much sense. A lot of Shakespeare's references are to cultural customs he witnessed. Charles Dickens includes so many scenes of social injustice because the England of his day was rife with oppression and mistreatment.

This intersection of history and literature isn't one-directional. To really understand history, it's essential to read the literature of the day. Sure, a history book published last year about the Roman Empire might yield plenty of good information, but reading Caesar's Gallic Wars will not only offer a firsthand perspective, it will also reveal a lot of contemporary attitudes most historians find it difficult to capture. A list of similar examples would require several books, and believe me, they exist.

We've chosen specific periods as categories both to reflect the generally accepted important literary and historical epochs, and based on how many books from each period we carry. If your favorite period isn't immediately recognizable on the list, you might just have to look a little deeper—for instance, we don't have a category for books written in China during the Boxer Rebellion, but that doesn't mean we don't have books that meet that criteria. Okay, we don't, but we have plenty of other titles representing the full scope of literary history from the ancients to the postmodern age.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

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Parent Categories

Fiction & Literature

Literature & Adult Fiction

Literature by Period

Subcategories

Ancient Literature

Medieval Literature

Renaissance & Reformation Literature

17th Century Literature

18th Century Literature

19th Century Literature

20th & 21st Century Literature

- Man Booker Prize

- National Book Award

- Nobel Prize in Literature

- Pulitzer Prize

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	Adventures of Huckleberry Finn With an Introduction and Contemporary Criticism by Mark Twain, edited by Mary R. Reichardt from Ignatius Press for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $6.00 (2 in stock)
	Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Oxford World's Classics by Mark Twain, edited with an introduction and notes by Emory Elliott 2008 Reissue from Oxford University for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $3.50 (1 in stock)
	Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain Library by Mark Twain, illustrated by E.W. Kemble and John Harley, edited by Victor Fischer, Lin Salamo with Harriet Elinor Smith and Walter Blair from University of California Press Realistic Fiction for 7th-10th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $13.00 (1 in stock)
	Anchor Book of Chinese Poetry From Ancient to Contemporary, The Full 3000-Year Tradition by Tony Barnstone & Chou Ping, eds. from Anchor Books for 9th-12th grade in Poetry Anthologies (Location: POET-ANTH) $17.00 $9.00 (1 in stock)
	Annotated Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Revised & Expanded from Anchor Books for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $20.00 $12.00 (1 in stock)
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	As You Like It (No Fear Shakespeare) by William Shakespeare Study Guide ed. from Sparknotes for 9th-12th grade in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN) $3.00 (2 in stock)
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	Claudette Colvin Twice Toward Justice by Philip Hoose from Square Fish Publishing for 6th-9th grade 2010 Newbery Honor Book, 2010 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book, National Book Award in Biographies (Location: BIO) $7.50 (1 in stock)
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	Far Side of the World Aubrey/Maturin #10 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Far Side of the World Aubrey/Maturin #10 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $8.00 (2 in stock)
	Faust: A Tragedy Parts One and Two, Fully Revised by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Translated by Martin Greenberg from Yale University Press for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Five Dialogues of Plato by Plato, translated by G.M.A. Grube, revised by John M. Cooper 2^nd edition from Hackett Publishing Company Ancient Philosophy for 9th-Adult in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC) $4.00 (2 in stock)
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	Fortune of War Aubrey/Maturin #6 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $6.50 (1 in stock)
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	Gentlewoman's Choice by George MacDonald, edited by Michael R. Phillips 2^nd edition from Bethany House for 8th-12th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $5.00 (2 in stock)
	George MacDonald An Anthology by C. S. Lewis from Touchstone Devotional Material for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Golden Ocean by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.50 (2 in stock)
	Gorgias Oxford World's Classics by Plato from Oxford University Ancient Philosophy for 9th-Adult in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC) $8.95 $6.00 (2 in stock)
	Greek Tragedies I by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, edited by David Grene and Richmond Lattimore from University of Chicago for 9th-Adult in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	H. M. S. Surprise Aubrey/Maturin #3 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Harvey A Comedy in Three Acts by Mary Chase from Dramatists Play Service for 8th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $4.00 (1 in stock)
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	House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer Reprint from Atheneum for 8th-Adult 2003 Newbery Honor Book; 2003 National Book Award for Young People's Literature in Science Fiction (Location: FIC-SCI) $12.99 $7.00 (1 in stock)
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	Letter of Marque Aubrey/Maturin #12 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Light in the Window Mitford Series Book 2 by Jan Karon from Penguin Putnam for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery from Harvest House Fantasy for 3rd-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $11.99 $7.50 (2 in stock)
	Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery from Harvest House Fantasy for 3rd-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $6.00 (2 in stock)
	Lorna Doone (adapted) by R. D. Blackmore, adapted by Jordan, Berglund & Washburne, illustrated by Alexander Key Reprint from Scott, Foresman & Co. for 7th-10th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Lost Horizon by James Hilton 1st Perennial Edition from Harper Perennial for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Master and Commander Aubrey/Maturin #1 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Men-of-War Life in Nelson's Navy by Patrick O'Brian 1st Us Edition from W. W. Norton and Co. for 5th-10th grade in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $3.00 (2 in stock)
	Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare from Dover Publications for 9th-Adult in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN) $3.00 $1.00 (9 in stock)
	Method of Grace by George Whitefield from Curiosmith for 9th-Adult in Justification & Sanctification (Location: XTH-JUS) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Mind on Fire: Faith for the Skeptical and Indifferent by Blaise Pascal New from David C. Cook for 9th-Adult in 17th Century Literature (Location: LIT4-17) $10.00 (1 in stock)
	Moby-Dick Wordsworth Classics by Herman Melville from Wordsworth Classics Realistic Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $2.50 (1 in stock)
	Moby-Dick by Herman Melville from Dover Publications for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Morbid Taste for Bones Brother Cadfael by Ellis Peters from Mysterious Press for 8th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $3.50 (1 in stock)
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	Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass, edited and introduction by David W. Blight from Bedford Press for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	New Song Mitford Series Book 5 by Jan Karon from Penguin Putnam for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger from Back Bay Books for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Oedipus Cycle by Sophocles (translation by Dudley Fitts & Robert Fitzgerald) from Harcourt Ancient Tragedy for 9th-12th grade in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC) $15.99 $9.50 (1 in stock)
	Out to Canaan Mitford Series Book 4 by Jan Karon from Penguin Putnam Adult Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Poetics by Aristotle from Penguin Classics Ancient Greek Philosophy of the Arts for 9th-Adult in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Pontius Pilate A Novel by Paul L. Maier 2^nd edition from Kregel Publications for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $8.50 (1 in stock)
	Pontius Pilate A Novel by Paul L. Maier 2^nd edition from Kregel Publications for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $8.50 (1 in stock)
	Reverse of the Medal Aubrey/Maturin #11 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey from Oxford University Westerns for 8th-Adult in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV) $3.00 (1 in stock)
	Roman Lives A Selection of Eight Roman Lives by Plutarch, translated by Robin Waterfield Reissue from Oxford University Biography for 9th-Adult in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC) $14.95 $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Romeo and Juliet (No Fear Shakespeare) by William Shakespeare Study Guide ed. from Sparknotes for 9th-12th grade in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN) $3.00 (2 in stock)
	Sea of Words A Lexicon and Companion to the Complete Seafaring Tales of Patrick O'Brian by Dean King, John B. Hattendorf & J. Worth Estes 3^rd edition from Henry Holt and Company Nautical Dictionary for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $17.00 $11.00 (1 in stock)
	Shelley's Poetry and Prose Norton Critical Edition by Percy Bysshe Shelley 2^nd edition from W. W. Norton and Co. for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $16.50 (1 in stock)
	Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright from Bethany House for 9th-12th grade in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.00 (1 in stock)
	Shiloh: A Novel by Shelby Foote from Vintage Books for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $6.00 (1 in stock)
	Shirley Penguin Classics by Charlotte Bronte from Penguin Classics for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien & Christopher Tolkien from Houghton Mifflin Fantasy for 8th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Song by Calvin Miller from InterVarsity Press for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $1.50 (1 in stock)
	Sophocles I The Complete Greek Tragedies by Sophocles (translation/editing by David Grene & Richmond Lattimore) 3^rd edition from University of Chicago Ancient Tragedy for 9th-Adult in Ancient Literature (Location: LIT1-ANC) $14.00 $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Sophocles I (old) The Complete Greek Tragedies by Sophocles (translation/editing by David Grene & Richmond Lattimore) 2^nd edition from University of Chicago Ancient Tragedy for 9th-Adult in Clearance: Literature (Location: ZCLE-LIT) $9.00 $4.00 (1 in stock)
	Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein from ACE Publishing Science Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $18.00 $9.50 (2 in stock)
	Surprised by Joy The Shape of My Early Life by C. S. Lewis from Harcourt Autobiography for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $6.50 (1 in stock)
	Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens from Penguin Classics Victorian Novel for 9th-Adult in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $8.00 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Tempest Shakespeare Made Easy by William Shakespeare from Barron's for 9th-Adult in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN) $7.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
	Tempest (No Fear Shakespeare) by William Shakespeare Study Guide ed. from Sparknotes for 9th-12th grade in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN) $3.00 (2 in stock)
	The Pearl by John Steinbeck from Penguin Putnam Realistic Fiction for 9th-12th grade in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $12.00 $5.00 (1 in stock)
	The Pearl by John Steinbeck from Penguin Putnam for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.00 (1 in stock)
	These High, Green Hills Mitford Series Book 3 by Jan Karon from Penguin Putnam for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $4.00 (2 in stock)
	Time to Dance, No Time to Weep by Rumer Godden from Quill for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	To Own a Dragon Reflections On Growing Up Without a Father by Donald Miller from Thomas Nelson Publishers for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $8.00 (1 in stock)
	Treason's Harbour Aubrey/Maturin #9 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Tutor's First Love by George MacDonald, edited by Michael R. Phillips from Bethany House for 8th-12th grade in 19th Century Literature (Location: LIT6-19) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Twelfth Night or, What You Will by William Shakespeare from Barron's Comedy for 8th-12th grade in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN) $6.99 $4.50 (3 in stock)
	Twelfth Night (No Fear Shakespeare) by William Shakespeare Study Guide ed. from Sparknotes for 9th-12th grade in Renaissance & Reformation Literature (Location: LIT3-REN) $3.00 (3 in stock)
	Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien Film cover art from Mariner Books for 8th-12th grade in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $5.00 (1 in stock)
	Wine-Dark Sea Aubrey/Maturin #16 by Patrick O'Brian from W. W. Norton and Co. Nautical Fiction for 9th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $7.50 (1 in stock)
	Yearling with Reading Group Guide by Marjorie Rawlings from Aladdin Paperbacks Realistic Animal Stories for 6th-Adult in 20th & 21st Century Literature (Location: LIT7-20) $5.00 (1 in stock)

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