The richness and variety of British and Irish literature in English are given full expression in this major new selection of texts in drama, poetry and prose, ranging from Old English to contemporary writing. Developed in consultation with a board of distinguished academic advisers, one of the priorities of the anthology is to provide, whenever possible, complete texts of long poems, novellas and plays, newly edited to the highest standards. Another is to address the needs of readers on introductory and foundation courses and to provide them with a volume better suited to their particular situation than existing anthologies. A judicious mix of canonical and less familiar texts, popular as well as elite culture, and regional as well as 'national' literature, are combined in one convenient volume, making the "Arnold Anthology" an indispensable resource for use on courses and a natural choice of anthology for the 21st century.