American short-story writers before 1880 /

This volume continues the "Dictionary of Literary Biography" ("DLB") series, which like Contemporary Authors, proves increasingly prolific. After a description of the "Plan of the series," the volume editor provides a useful essay on the development of the American short story. Not stated, however, are several important points: the qualifications of the volume editor and the contributors; criteria for inclusion of the 36 short-story authors; or the rationale for this "the first of a sub-series of volumes devoted to American short-story writers." The volume certainly provides a pleasant balance of well-written text, iconographic and holographic reproductions, and bibliography. Yet this will not be readers' first encounter in "DLB" with Clemens (also in v. 11, 12, 23, 64), Irving (v. 3, 11, 30, 59, 73), Bierce (v. 11, 12, 27, 71), and others. In fact, only a quarter of this volume's entrants do not appear elsewhere in "DLB." If "DLB" entries are "career biographies," how many "careers" might a library expect to pay for within the series? To what extent will the nonspecialist need exposure to fourth-rank figures (e.g., Rose Terry Cooke, Philander Deming, Alice French, Sarah Parton)? If the test of time has not been kind, why should "DLB," especially when the series is directed more toward the nonspecialist than established scholars? Volume 78, American Short-Story Writers 1880-1910 (1989) is already available. Would-be purchasers should examine their needs carefully. -J. M. Pemberton, University of Tennessee at Knoxville