World Authors 2000-2005

An all-new collection of biographies in the widely praised World Authors series, World Authors 2000-2005 covers some 300 novelists, poets, dramatists, essayists, scientists, biographers, and other authors whose books — published 2000 through 2005 — represent the dawn of a new millennium of great literature.

• Well-researched, in-depth accounts (averaging 3,000 words), explore writers’ backgrounds, formative experiences, and literary achievements.

• Many autobiographical accounts, written specifically for this volume.

• Profiles also highlight critical response to authors’ works.

• Entries include suggested reading lists and bibliographies.

• Photo of the author accompanies many of the entries.

For fans, students, educators, and other researchers

Reliable biographical data, plus candid anecdotes, opinions, and insights:

Gregory Orr’s disclosure that “Probably the pivotal event in my life happened when I was 12 and was responsible for the death of a younger brother, Peter, in a hunting accident”; Martha McPhee’s explanation that her novels “rose from the beautiful wreckage of my childhood”; James D. Houston’s account that "the very desire to be a writer was seeded in those long ago Sunday morning [church] services where language itself was the primary means for connection with a higher power."

◘ Complete list of the authors covered.

◘ 800 pp. 
◘ 2007
◘ ISBN 978-0-8242-1077-9 
◘ Illustrated with portraits
◘ $170
◘ $185 (outside the U.S. and Canada)

World Authors 1995-2000

Edited by Clifford Thompson and Mari Rich

World Authors 1995-2000 presents biographical articles on 320 critically acclaimed novelists, poets, dramatists, essayists, social scientists, and biographers who have published significant work from 1995 through 2000. Representing a broad range of ethnic diversity, these in-depth profiles present fascinating accounts of lives and careers, the circumstances under which written works were produced, and their literary significance. Each profile also includes critical evaluation, a list of the author’s principal works with date first published, a list of major critical works, and a portrait or photograph, where available.

Nearly a quarter of the authors profiled have contributed autobiographical essays specifically for this book, including Tom Wolfe, acclaimed author of Bonfire of the Vanities; journalist Ann Crittenden, author of The Price of Motherhood; Elmer Kelton, one of the world’s most prolific writers of novels in the Western genre, and many others. Featuring writers ranging from the critically acclaimed and commercially successful novelist John Irving, to Gao Xingjian, the first Chinese writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, these documents make fascinating reading and reliable research.

◘ Complete list of the authors covered.