Foreword

American Literary Scholarship 2015 continues a long tradition of expert commentary on the most significant books and articles published during the year in the field of American literary studies. Like its predecessors, this 53rd iteration of the annual will serve as an indispensable teaching and research tool for scholars around the world. But with the growth of the Internet, it will also serve as an enduring stay against confusing online journals of dubious authority with genuine scholarship.

As ever, its value may be measured by the integrity and expertise of its contributors. Joining the roster this year are a host of new essayists, and may their reward be great in references libraries. Todd H. Richardson of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin succeeds Robert Habich as the author of Chapter 1 ("Emerson, Thoreau, Fuller, and Transcendentalism"). Michelle Kohler of Tulane University takes over the "Dickinson" section of Chapter 4 from Dan Manheim; Joseph C. Murphy of Fu Jen Catholic University in Taipei the "Cather" section of Chapter 7 from Robert Thacker; and Annarose Steinke of the University of Nebraska at Kearney the "Eliot" section of Chapter 8 from Patrick Query. Scott Slawinski of Western Michigan University takes charge of Chapter 11 ("Literature to 1800") from Theresa Strought Gaul; Roark Mulligan of Christopher Newport University of Chapter 13 ("Late-19th-Century Literature") from Nicolas Witschi; and Anne Dewey of Saint Louis University, Madrid Campus, of Chapter 18 ("Poetry: The 1950s to the Present") from Jim Cocola. Geoffrey Sauer of Iowa State University collaborates with his father David K. Sauer in producing Chapter 19 ("Drama"). Three scholars join the team that collaborates on Chapter 20 ("International Scholarship"): Philipp Löffler of Universität Heidelberg reports "German Contributions"; Anna Linzie of Örebro University in Sweden succeeds Jenny Bonnevier among the authors of "Nordic Contributions"; and Melina Vizcaíno-Alemán of the University of New Mexico revives the section "Spanish Contributions." Meanwhile, Jerome Klinkowitz of the University of Northern Iowa extends his consecutive playing streak to 37 years with his chapter "Fiction: 1960s to the Present." I thank all departing, continuing, and new contributors for their devotion to American Literary Scholarship. As I have often remarked, they spend much of their summers writing their chapters for no more compensation than the appreciation of their colleagues and a stipend sufficient to buy pet food for a month or two.

Despite the slow erosion over the years in the number of reputable venues reviewed in these pages, scholarly work in American literary studies, to judge from column inches of citations in the MLA Bibliography, remains robust. Fortunately, Bob Dylan, the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016, is only mentioned marginally in this issue of AmLS. But can a "Bob Dylan Society" affiliated with the American Literature Association be far in the future?

As usual, Professor David Nordloh and I appreciate the assistance provided to us by Indiana University and the University of New Mexico. Thanks to Cindy Borch, Charles Brower, and their colleagues at Duke University Press in supervising the production of this volume and saving me from myriad mistakes. Authors and publishers can assist us in assuring the thoroughness of AmLS coverage by directing offprints of articles, review copies of books, and publication notices to Professor Nordloh at 495 Lake Dornoch Drive, Pinehurst, NC 28374.