Arlington Reader: Contexts and Connections

Because textbooks tend to uproot readings from the conversations that prompted them, students are often left without much of the original context that would help them understand and interpret a text. Those additional voices are important, particularly when students are working with complex material. The Arlington Reader, Second Edition, offers class-proven readings and fresh and exciting new selections along with many of those voices brought back into the conversation. Each of the 9 thematic chapters includes essays plus related material such as reviews, response essays, quotations, photographs, and interviews. For instance, N. Scott Momaday's "The Way to Rainy Mountain" is followed by photos of Momaday and Rainy Mountain, excerpts from Momaday's other writings, and a piece by Paula Gunn Allen. This allows students to get a sense of the context from which these essays sprung and to make thematic connections of their own. It also brings fresh perspectives to instructors. In addition, each chapter includes linked readings in order to show students the importance of learning to distinguish and relate ideas, all at a very affordable low price.

LYNN Z. BLOOM is Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor and holder of the Aetna Chair of Writing at the University of Connecticut. Previously, she taught and directed writing programs at Butler University, the University of New Mexico, and the College of William and Mary, and she chaired the English department at Virginia Commonwealth University. Lynn Bloom's publications include composition studies, biography, autobiography, creative nonfiction, poetry, reviews, articles, book chapters, and textbooks.

LOUISE Z. SMITH is Professor emeritus of English at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. A member of the faculty there since 1974, she also served as the Director of Freshman English; Chair of English; Director of the Tutoring Program; and Director, Core Curriculum. In addition to the many articles and book chapters she has written for publication, Louise Smith was the editor of College English from 1991 to 1999.