In a narrative of immense scope and fascination--spanning nearly 400 years and brimming with Showalter's characteristic wit and incisive opinions--readers are introduced to more than 250 female writers, both famous and little known.

This book contains contributions by many of today's well-known cultural and literary critics on women's writing, women's history and women's concerns. There are 771 entries, covering psychoanalysis, poetry, autobiography, and more.