This ambitious undertaking is designed to acquaint students, teachers, and researchers with reference sources in any branch of English studies, which Marcuse defines as "all those subjects and lines of critical and scholarly inquiry presently pursued by members of university departments of English language and literature.'' Within each of 24 major sections, Marcuse lists and annotates bibliographies, guides, reviews of research, encyclopedias, dictionaries, journals, and reference histories. The annotations and various indexes are models of clarity and usefulness, and cross references are liberally supplied where appropriate. Although cost-conscious librarians will probably consider the several other excellent literary bibliographies in print, such as James L. Harner's Literary Research Guide (Modern Language Assn. of America, 1989), larger academic libraries will want Marcuse's volume.-- Jack Bales, Mary Washington Coll. Lib., Fredericksburg, Va. -Library Journal.

Three Score Years and Ten: Or More? delves into the enduring fascination with individuals who live beyond 100 years. The intrigue centres not only on the accomplishment itself but also on the mysteries of how and why these people achieve such remarkable longevity. This research shifts its focus from contemporary centenarians, whose ages can be more reliably verified due to improved record-keeping, to an earlier era marked by less clear historical records. It investigates the genesis of this interest and the emergence of what could be termed a ‘cult of centenarianism.’ During this period, claims of extreme old age sparked debates between believers and sceptics, creating a cultural divide. The book also examines the significant role media played in this phenomenon. The portrayal and promotion of centenarians by the media of the time laid the groundwork for themes explored in this book, contributing to the ongoing public intrigue surrounding individuals of advanced age.