This reference work investigates the biographical and critical landscape of major twentieth-century writers to provide a comprehensive overview of the era's literary output. Martin Seymour-Smith, a noted literary critic and biographer, utilizes his extensive knowledge of global literature to curate a selection of approximately seven hundred authors. The text functions as a structured guide, balancing factual biographical data with critical assessment of each writer's contribution to the literary canon.

Scholars and students frequently utilize this volume as a foundational reference for identifying key figures in twentieth-century literature. Critics note the density of the entries and the editor's specific critical perspective, which provides a cohesive, albeit subjective, evaluation of the century's literary history.