writers but with readers--those who wish guidance to the best that there
is in our literature and to the signs that point to the future.

The word _contemporary_ we have interpreted arbitrarily to mean since the
beginning of the War, excluding writers who died before August, 1914, and
living authors who have produced no work since then. Space limitations
made it impossible to go back to the beginning of the century, and no
other date since then is so significant as 1914.

The biographical material is limited to information of interest for the
interpretation of work. The bibliographies are selective except in the
case of the more important authors, for whom they are, for the student's
purpose, complete. The following items have usually been omitted: (1)
books privately printed; (2) separate editions of works included in
larger volumes; (3) unimportant or inaccessible works; (4) works not of a
literary character; (5) English reprints; (6) editions other than the
first. Exceptions to this plan explain themselves.

The stars (*) are merely guides to the reader in long bibliographies and
bibliographies containing works of very unequal merit.

The Suggestions for Reading given in the case of the more important
authors are intended for students who need and desire guidance. It is our
hope that these hints and questions may lead to discussion and
differences of opinion, for dissent is the guidepost to truth. As far as
possible, we have avoided statement of our own opinions.

The Studies and Reviews are the meagre result of long search in
periodical literature. The fact that the photograph and the personal note
bulk far more largely than criticism in America needs no comment here.