Unique in perspective and content, this one-volume anthology provides a coherent, manageable selection of major works of world literature. Genuinely global in balance, it embeds familiar great works of the Western or European tradition within the wider literary history that begins in ancient Sumer four thousand years ago. By tracing thematic connections and contrasts among works from differing traditions, it helps readers understand intercultural communication as well as the developing formal conventions and patterns of thought within particular traditions. Includes selections from several major cultures of the world in three main historical periods: THE ANCIENT WORLD -- Ancient Middle East, India, China, Greece/Rome. THE MIDDLE PERIOD -- Medieval and Renaissance Europe, The Latin Tradition, The Celtic Languages, The Germanic Languages, The Romance Languages and English, Byzantine, Middle East, India, China, Japan, Maya (Guatemala). THE MODERN PERIOD -- Middle East and Africa, India and Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Europe, The Americas, The Caribbean. Contains selections that were chosen for their ability to reach out artistically to a naive reader across time and space ? those that can evoke meaningful responses from readers even when read outside their cultural/historical context. Includes relatively brief introductions that set the context for each selection and relate it to other works in the volume. For anyone interested in the world's Read Less